for segue forms (.pdf) click below

Objectives

• Demonstrate some of the basic aspects of linguistics particularly as they relate to studies of traditional societies.

• Illustrate broad applications of linguistics

• Develop avenues for students to continue to learn about linguistics that lead directly out of the segue experience.

Learning Structure

• Class-room/Laboratory discussion groups (students will have already watched assigned video presentations)

  • The instructor will present a set of plants that have a set of names from different parts of Polynesia and other locations with the same plants and Austronesian languages.
    　

• Web-based delivery of information to students:

  • Provide a brief overview of some of the most interesting areas of linguistics.

  • Direct students to practitioners of linguistics within the University and in the community at-large.

  • Show students specific courses or other educational opportunities that can be used to further explore interests in linguistics.

Learning Outcomes

(1 = Most Desired Outcome, 3 = A Desirable Outcome, 5 = Least Desired Outcome)

1. Students seek more information about studies in linguistics, register to take a course in linguistics, and become a degree seeking major in linguistics.

2. Students seek more information about studies in linguistics and register to take a course in linguistics as part of an effort to broaden their education.

3. Students develop a sufficient (but minimal) understanding of linguistics to be able to make decisions about their own career (and inclusion or not of this science). These students are probably better citizens/voters.

4. Students do not learn anything about linguistics.

5. Students develop a negative perspective about linguistics because of the information received through this project.

Ethnobotany Segue Experience

• During class the instructor will present a set of plants that have a set of names from different parts of Polynesia and other locations with the same plants and Austronesian languages.  Students will look for relationships among the words for each plant and present what they have observed.  The instructor will then present the proto-Austronesian and proto-Oceanic reconstructed relationships for the words as recognized by modern linguists.
  　

• Following the lab, students will be asked to identify as many different languages as they can that are spoken by people in their community. These may be family, friends, etc. They should attempt to address the question: How diverse is our community? At the next class session students will briefly discuss the diversity.

Other Science

• Linguistics is the scientific study of language, which can be theoretical or applied. Someone who engages in this study is called a linguist.

Other Science Practitioners

• Students interested in learning more about linguistics may want to contact Dr. Kenneth Rehg, rehg@hawaii.edu, Department of Linguistics, Moore Hall 563, (808) 956-3227.

Other Science Courses