Matthew L. Hall, Ph.D.

Designed to engage students with no prior background, this lecture-based course introduces students to the scientific study of human language by exploring how sign languages are structured, used, and acquired.  Along the way, we study the history and culture of the Deaf communities and the role that language plays in shaping individual and collective identity. 

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Syllabus

Course Evaluations

Sample Lecture Podcast & Slides

Fall 2012

Suitable for graduate and advanced undergraduate students, the first half of this seminar-style course explores theories of the historical evolution of the human language faculty. In the second half, we turn to the empirical study of newly-emerging sign languages worldwide. 

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Syllabus

Course Evaluations

Fall 2015

This writing-intensive, discussion-oriented course allows students to refine their written and oral communication skills while grappling with questions about the nature of language and its impact on society.  Do animals have language?  Does the language we use shape our thoughts? Should countries have official languages? Should we work to preserve dying languages? Should deaf children learn to listen and speak? Throughout, we emphasize the interplay of evidence and argument.

Spring 2017