Neurolinguistics

Fall 2021 Syllabus

Wed 3:30-6:00pm WLNT 300C (seminar room)

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Paper due Dec 03!

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Instructor

Dr. Kathryn Schuler - you can call me Katie

Overview

Description

Neurolinguistics is a seminar on language and the brain. For the first few weeks, you will build a foundation of knowledge, first on how brains work (neurons, networks, and anatomy) and later on the methods researchers use to study language in the brain. The remainder of the course will explore the literature on different topics in language and the brain, including various levels of linguistics (phonology, morphology, syntax), acquisition, evolution, signed languages, and more.

This course is open to all graduate students and upper-level undergraduates. No specific background in neuroscience or linguistics is necessary to participate in the course

Requirements

• Reading and posting discussion questions: Each week, you will be responsible for preparing for the discussion by reading and annotating 2-3 papers on the weeks’ topic with discussion questions (on Perusall). See the annotation guidelines
• Lead discussions: Several times throughout the semester (but not every week), you will serve as discussion leader for a paper with one or two other students. As discussion leader, you’ll be responsible for presenting the paper, including summarizing (motivation, research questions, approach, and findings) and leading a discussion of the work. If you cannot attend synchronously you can submit a pre-recorded presentation.
• Lit Review: You will select a topic of interest (within the bounds of language and the brain) and write a formal literature review. There will be several assignments leading up to this final paper to help you make progress.

Typical week

• Fridays are deadline days. Writing assignment and feedback deadlines are always Friday at midnight (but note not all Fridays have something due)
• Wednesdays are discussion days. Small groups of students will present papers and lead the discussion during class time.

Getting Help

• Ed Disucssion: The best way to get help anytime is to ask a question on the discussion board. You’ll get a response within 24 hours, usually much faster. Students are encouraged to answer each other’s questions as well.
• On papers: You can ask questions about papers and discuss them via Perusall.

Materials

• Course website (you are here) for schedule, policies, and links to all assigned materials
• Canvas site for assignment submissions and grade related things
• Perusall for reading assignments (access code on canvas).
• Ed Discussion for online discussion and support

Evaluation

• Class participation and preparation (50%) including reading and annotating to start the discussion on Perusall, participating in class discussions, and preparing for and leading discussions when you are a discussion leader. Grading rubric here.
• Literature review (50%) including several check-points throughout the semester (abstract, bibliography, drafts, peer review) and your final literature review.

Schedule

Wk	Lecture	Readings & Resources
1	Sep 01: Welcome & Overview	von Melchner, Pallas, & Sur 2000 first day of Penn classes (31)
2	Sep 08: CNS, Neurons & Methods	Brain & Behavior Organization of the CNS Language and the Brain Notes on the CNS Notes on Neurons Video overview of CNS Virtual anatomy lab
3	Sep 15: Networks	Catani, Jones, & Ffytche 2005- Julia, Amanda, Abigail Fedorenko & Thompson-Schill 2014 - June, Xiao, Mikaal Friederici & Gierhan 2013 - optional background course selection period ends (14) Topic & Reading List - due Fri
4	Sep 22: Perspective	Krakauer et al. 2017 - Elizabeth G, Jorke, Cynthia Embick & Poeppel 2015 - Ava, Elizabeth V, Rebecca
5	Sep 29: Sounds & Phonemes	Scott et al 2000 - May & Aini Nishimura et al 1999 - Xin & Abigail Annotated Bib due Fri
6	Oct 06: Words	Davis & Gaskell 2009 - Aini, Sophie, & Namrita Quiroga et al. 2005 - Amanda, June, & Jorke
7	Oct 13: Syntax I	Fitch & Martins 2014 - Daoxin, Elizabeth G, Xin Kaan & Swaab 2002 - Cynthia & Abigail drop period ends (11) fall break (14 - 17) Full Outline due Fri
8	Oct 20: Syntax II	Ding et al. 2016 - June, Namrita, & May Makuuchi et al 2009 - Sophie & Abigail
9	Oct 27: Semantics	Lau et al. 2008 - June, Aini & Xin Friedrich & Friederici 2005 - Ava, Daoxin & Jorke grade types change deadline (29)
10	Nov 03: Acquisition	Perani et al. 2011 - Julia, Elizabeth G. & Sophie Lenneberg 1969 - Daoxin, Cynthia & Elizabeth V advanced registration begins (1) Full Outline PR due Wed
11	Nov 10: Sign Language	Mayberry et al. 2011 - Rebecca, Amanda & Elizabeth G Petitto et al. 2000 - Namrita, Elizabeth V. & Ava last day to withdraw (8)
12	Nov 17: Bilingualism	Weber-Fox & Neville 1996 - Julia, Elizabeth V. & Rebecca Osterhout et al, 2006 - May, Cynthia, & Amanda
13	Nov 24: Friday classes, no class!	R & F classes on T & W thanksgiving break (25-28)
14	Dec 01: Evolution	Wilson et al 2017 - Xin, Sophie & Rebecca Rilling et al 2008 - Aini, Ava & Namrita First Draft due Fri
15	Dec 08: Cerebellum	Marien et al. 2014 - Julia & Daoxin Lesage et al. 2012 - May & Jorke last day of classes (10) First Draft PR due Fri
16	Dec 15: Finals week, no class!	Final Revisions due (optional)

Policies

• Attendance: There is no formal attendance policy, but participation is highly correlated with class performance (see Evaluation section).
• Accommodations: I’m happy to provide accommodations to anyone with documentation from Student Disability Services and to make alternate arrangements when class conflicts with a religious holiday. Please notify your lab section TA as soon as possible to make these arrangements.
• Academic Integrity: We will follow the rules of the University and the Code of Academic Integrity. It is your responsibility to be familiar with these policies.
• Support: Asking for help is a sign of strength! We hope you’ll reach out to us if you need help. We also want you to be aware of Penn’s Academic & Wellness Resources

Grading Scale

The table below shows the minimum score before rounding for letter grades. Grading in this course is not on a curve: there is room for everyone to do well!

A+ 97	A 93%	A- 90%	B+ 87%	B 84%	B- 80%
C+ 77%	C 74%	C- 70%	D+ 67%	D 64%	D- 61%