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Sounds of Culture: Intro to AAVE Course Syllabus

Instructor Shakeema Funchess Tiktok @Adventuresinzenbooks Office location The DMs Office hours As scheduled  Course overview This course provides an in-depth exploration of African American Vernacular English (AAVE), focusing on its...

Instructor

Shakeema Funchess

Tiktok

@Adventuresinzenbooks

Office location

The DMs

Office hours

As scheduled 

Course overview

This course provides an in-depth exploration of African American Vernacular English (AAVE), focusing on its linguistic features, historical development, cultural significance, and its role in education and society. Students will engage with scholarly readings, participate in discussions, and conduct research to gain a comprehensive understanding of AAVE

 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

 

* Describe the historical and sociolinguistic origins of AAVE.

* Identify and analyze key linguistic features of AAVE, such as phonological rules, grammatical structures, and lexical items. 

* Understand the social and political implications of language variation and the stigmatization of AAVE. 

* Critically evaluate research on AAVE and its impact on education, law, and other domains of social life.

* Develop critical thinking and research skills related to language and society.

 

COURSE STRUCTURE

Weeks 1-10: Weekly topics with recommended readings.

Discussion Boards: Week 2, 4, 6 and 8.

Final Paper: Research and writing phases in Weeks 3, 5, 7; final submission due Week 9.

 

Course schedule

Week

Subject

Topics

1

Intro to AAVE

Definition, Scope, Misconceptions

2

Phonological Features of AAVE

Sound Patterns, Pronunciation, Rules

3

Grammatical Structures in AAVE

Syntax, Morphology, Mood Markers

4 

Historical Development of AAVE

Origins, Evolution, Dialectal Variation

5

AAVE in Literature and Media

Literature, Music, Film

 

Week

Subject

6

Sociolinguistic Perspectives on AAVE                         Linguistic Attitudes, Code-Switching         

7

AAVE In Education                                                         Educational polices, Strategic Impact

8

AAVE and the Law                                                          Language and Legal Discourse

9

Contemporary Issues and Debates                            “Ebonics Controversy”, preservation

10

Future Directions                                                            AAVE in the globalized world

 

Homework policy

Discussion Board Participation (20%): Active and thoughtful engagement in weekly discussions.

Final Research Paper (80%): A well-researched and well-written paper on a chosen topic related to AAVE.

 

Additional information

Discussion Reflect on key takeaways and insights from the course.

Final Paper: Utilize research and class discussion to write a 5–7-page research paper on a chosen topic related to AAVE.  

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