Normal Language Development/Language Acquisition

SPAU 3303-003/COMD 6307-003

Thursday 12:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m., GR 4.428
Fall 2005

Instructor: Erika Armstrong, MS, CCC-SLP

erikaa@utdallas.edu
Office: GR 4.802 (972-883-2241)
Office hours: Fridays 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and by appointment

T.A.: Ariela Jokel, MS, CCC-SLP

ariela@utdallas.edu
Office: GR 4.802 (972-883-2241)
Office hours: Thursdays 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and by appointment

Course Description: This course provides an overview of language development, focusing on theories,
experimental findings and milestones in typically developing children. Assigned readings come from the text listed
below. Students are encouraged to be active participants in class discussions.

Required Text:

Hoff, Erika (2005). Language Development (3rd Edition), Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

(available at the campus bookstore and Off Campus Books)

PLEASE DO THE READINGS BEFORE COMING TO CLASS. Lecture outlines and announcements will be
placed on Blackboard weekly: http://blackboard.utdallas.edu

Course Requirements and Grading:

• Three exams will be given throughout the semester on the dates indicated. In case of emergency or
illness, you are to notify the instructor before the scheduled exam.
• Exams will consist of essay, short answer and multiple choice questions.
• Exams will cover assigned readings, class lectures, discussions and movies; therefore, regular class
attendance is generally necessary to do well in this course.
• Students taking this class for graduate credit will be required to collect and analyze a language sample
of a typically developing toddler. Further details about the project will be provided in class and on
Blackboard.
• Grading scale:
Undergraduate: (+/- scale): Exam I: 30%; Exam II: 35%; Exam III: 35%
Graduates: Exam I: 30%; Exam II: 30%; Exam III: 30%; Language Sample Analysis: 10%

Professional Dispositions
Professional dispositions refer to the values, commitments, and professional ethics that influence behaviors
toward instructors, peers, and those in the community. Dispositions are guided by beliefs and attitudes related to
values such as caring, fairness, honesty, responsibility, and social justice. Students will demonstrate professional
dispositions by exhibiting the following professional behaviors:
1. Arriving at class at the designated class start time.
2. Turning off all cell phones and pagers prior to entering the classroom.
3. Preparing for class by reading the assigned materials.
4. Participating in class discussions in a constructive manner.
5. Interacting in a professional manner (verbally and nonverbally) with the instructor and other students.
6. Taking responsibility for his/her professional learning.
7. This list of professional behaviors is not limited. Other professional behaviors may be taken into account
by the instructor when grading the student at the end of the semester.

Scholastic Dishonesty: All students are required to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty. Refer
to http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/dishonesty.html for further information.

1
 Normal Language Development/Language Acquisition
SPAU 3303-003/COMD 6307-003
Thursday 12:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m., GR 4.428
Fall 2005

Date Topic Readings

Aug. 18 Introduction and Course Information Ch. 1 (pp. 1-7)
What is Language?
Movie- Baby Talk/discussion

25 Biological Bases Ch. 2

Theories of Language Development pp. 7-24; 231-236

Sept. 1 Theories of Language Development (cont.)

Methods in Child Language/Early Comm. pp. 24-32; 97-120

8 Phonological Development pp. 90-97; 120-135

15 EXAM I
Movie- Language and Cognition/discussion

22 Semantic-Lexical Development Ch. 4

29 Semantic-Lexical Development (cont.)

Morphology & Syntax (Grammar) Ch. 5

Oct. 6 Morphology & Syntax (Grammar) (cont.)

Movie- Koko/discussion

13 Pragmatics and Sociolinguistics Ch. 6

20 EXAM II
Movie- Secret of the Wild Child/discussion

27 Language in Childhood/Literacy Ch. 9

Graduate Student Projects Due

Nov. 3 Literacy/Language Based Learning Disabilities Ch. 9

Bilingualism Ch. 8

10 Special Populations Ch. 7

17 EXAM III