コース情報

According to N. Chomsky, to say that language is a means of communication is as false as to say that human eyes serve exclusively to watch television. The main aim of the course is to investigate what language IS if it is not just a means of communication. Some of the questions examined will include the following: is language an instinct? Can humans think without language? Can and does language influence the way we think? Are there universals in the domain of language?

Goals:

- Read and understand scientific articles in English related to the question of language and thought

- Take different points of view on the same topic

- Work on your critical judgement

Language: The entire class is in English, summaries will be provided in English, most of the articles will be in English and you will be given comprehension exercises in English. The exams will be in English and you are expected to answer in English.