Welcome to "Intensive Linguistics Camp." This course explores layers of language, beginning with sounds in Session 1—phonetics and phonology. We will explore sounds of the world's languages, transcription conventions, syllable structure, and phonological processes, while actively participating in discussions and exercises to solidify comprehension. Moving beyond individual sounds, Session 2 covers morphology and syntax, unraveling the study of morphemes and the principles governing word order, phrase structure, and lexical categories. With the assistance of the World Atlas of Language Structures, students will analyze language patterns globally. Finally, in Session 3, the focus shifts to semantics and pragmatics, exploring how words organize into relational networks and the role of set theory in understanding meaning in the mental lexicon. Throughout this seminar-style course, a combination of presentations, exercises, and discussions will empower students to actively apply linguistic concepts, fostering a deep understanding of the underlying structure of human communication. Active participation, including unmuting and engagement, is expected in each session, creating a dynamic learning environment.

In this linguistics camp, I do use slides and I do present information, but it is not all lecture-format. I prefer to call this seminar format, in which students contribute by sharing experience and prior knowledge, demonstrate understanding by working together on assessments or problem sets, and even take over sharing the screen and navigating online linguistics resources for the class. Active engagement is required.

Session 1: Phonetics and Phonology (2 hours with a 15-minute break at the end of the first hour)
We begin with the smallest units of meaning in language: sounds and how they pattern together in various languages. We will look at transcription conventions and syllable structure along with common phonological processes. The seminar-style class will be a combination of presentation of information and exercises for assessment of understanding with discussion. Students are expected to unmute and participate throughout.

Session 2: Morphology and Syntax (2 hours with a 15-minute break at the end of the first hour)
We cross the meaning barrier and begin with morphology-- the study of morphemes, the smallest units of meaning in language. We build from morphemes to syntax, looking at word order, phrase structure, lexical categories, and agreement patterns. We will explore some of the patterns of the world's languages using the World Atlas of Language Structures. The seminar-style class will be a combination of presentation of information and exercises for assessment of understanding with discussion. Students are expected to unmute and participate throughout.

Session 3: Semantics and Pragmatics (2 hours with a 15-minute break at the end of the first hour)
The final session will focus on meaning: how words are organized into relational networks, and how we use set theory to hypothesize how meaning works in the brain. After looking at word and sentence meaning, we will end with the meaning that context outside language contributes to our understanding of utterances. The seminar-style class will be a combination of presentation of information and exercises for assessment of understanding with discussion. Students are expected to unmute and participate throughout.