Search Results
Your search for courses · during 25FA, 26WI, 26SP · taught by cfortin · returned 5 results
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LING 115 Introduction to the Theory of Syntax 6 credits
This course is organized to enable the student to actively participate in the construction of a rather elaborate theory of the nature of human cognitive capacity to acquire and use natural languages. In particular, we concentrate on one aspect of that capacity: the unconscious acquisition of a grammar that enables a speaker of a language to produce and recognize sentences that have not been previously encountered. In the first part of the course, we concentrate on gathering notation and terminology intended to allow an explicit and manageable description. In the second part, we depend on written and oral student contributions in a cooperative enterprise of theory construction.
Sophomore Priority section is available
- Fall 2025, Spring 2026
- FSR, Formal or Statistical Reasoning
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LING 115.01 Fall 2025
- Faculty:Catherine Fortin 🏫 👤
- Size:20
- M, WLeighton 426 12:30pm-1:40pm
- FLeighton 426 1:10pm-2:10pm
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LING 115.01 Spring 2026
- Faculty:Catherine Fortin 🏫 👤
- Size:20
- M, WLeighton 426 11:10am-12:20pm
- FLeighton 426 12:00pm-1:00pm
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Sophomore Priority
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LING 216 Generative Approaches to Syntax 6 credits
This course has two primary goals: to provide participants with a forum to continue to develop their analytical skills (i.e., to ‘do syntax’), and to acquaint them with generative syntactic theory, especially the Principles and Parameters approach. Participants will sharpen their technological acumen, through weekly problem solving, and engage in independent thinking and analysis, by means of formally proposing novel syntactic analyses for linguistic phenomena. By the conclusion of the course, participants will be prepared to read and critically evaluate primary literature couched within this theoretical framework.
- Winter 2026
- FSR, Formal or Statistical Reasoning
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Student has completed and of the following course(s): LING 115 with grade of C- or better.
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LING 216.01 Winter 2026
- Faculty:Catherine Fortin 🏫 👤
- Size:25
- T, THWeitz Center 233 10:10am-11:55am
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LING 280 Field Methods in Linguistics 6 credits
This course will introduce students to techniques of linguistic research and analysis through direct work with a native speaker of a language not taught at Carleton. Students will learn techniques for eliciting, organizing, describing, and analyzing data in an ethically responsible and scientifically rigorous manner. Our goal is to develop a description of the language–primarily, aspects of its phonology, morphology, and syntax–through working exclusively with a native speaker. Each student will investigate some aspect of the language in depth, culminating in a class presentation and research report.
- Spring 2026
- LS, Science with Lab
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Student has completed any of the following course(s): One 100-level LING course with grade of C- or better.
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LING 280.01 Spring 2026
- Faculty:Catherine Fortin 🏫 👤
- Size:25
- M, WWeitz Center 233 1:50pm-3:00pm
- FWeitz Center 233 2:20pm-3:20pm
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LING 399 Senior Thesis 3 credits
This course prepares students to engage in the research needed for their comps projects. Students will identify a research topic, begin engaging with the relevant literature, and deliver presentations throughout the term. By the end of fall term, students will have a portion of their comps drafted in preparation for the independent research and writing component during winter term.
Starting in the Fall 2026 LING 399 will be 6 credits and LING 400 will be 3 credits.
For students in the class of 2026, LING 399 is 3 credits and LING 400 is 6 credits.
- Fall 2025
- No Exploration
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Student has completed any of the following course(s): One 300 level Linguistic (LING) course with grade of C- or better.
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LING 399.01 Fall 2025
- Faculty:Catherine Fortin 🏫 👤
- Size:25
- Grading:S/CR/NC
- T, THLibrary 344 8:15am-10:00am
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LING 400 Integrative Exercise 6 credits
Students continue, and complete, their comps research, building upon the foundation built in LING 399. In close consultation with their primary adviser, students set and meet weekly goals for collecting and analyzing data, writing, and revising. By the end of winter term, students must receive approval from their primary and secondary advisers on the final iteration of their 30-40 page paper.
Starting in the Fall 2026 LING 399 will be 6 credits and LING 400 will be 3 credits.
For students in the class of 2026, LING 399 is 3 credits and LING 400 is 6 credits.
- Winter 2026
- No Exploration
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Student is a Linguistics major AND has Senior Priority.