HUM 130 Language and Culture
(Contact Hours: 4) Language is a cultural behavior; as such, a particular language is used by its speakers both as a reflector and creator of their culture as a whole, as well as personal identity formation and expression. In this course, students explore the interrelationship of language and culture. Some discussion topics are cultural variations and linguistic varieties between major groups (language and people in context; language change; legislating language choice; language planning) and those within major groups (variation due to class, region, gender, age, etc.; standard and non-standard varieties; language attitudes). Emphasis is on the power of language as an agent of cultural consensus building and of culture as a shaper of meaningful communication. Minimum benchmarks will be enforced.