Language and CultureThe ability to communicate through elaborate linguistic and symbolic systems is part of what makes humans social beings. Across cultures, different communication styles flourish at various levels of complexity in terms of language use and semiotic resources. These resources include gesture, space, body adornment, intonation and other forms of non-verbal communication. Language and Culture is concerned with the linguistic, discourse and symbolic systems that construct and represent social life and culture. Courses under this category are concerned with how language use constructs, constitutes and represents society and culture.
Hiphop Language and CultureThese courses examine the development of hiphop in the U.S. and throughout the world. They focus on hiphop’s importance as a cultural, political, technological and artistic resource for youthful expression and representation. The courses examine hiphop’s influence on politics, identity, society as well as creativity, performance, literacy, language and learning, art, performance and dress design. Topics include: dance, linguistics, culture, community, crime and justice, economics, education, family, history, identity, language, politics, sports, race and racism, sex and sexism.
Gender and SexualityThese courses study, analyze and critique theories concerning the discursive construction of gender identity(s) and forms of representation of cultures. They explore the relationship between power and powerful speech through reviews and critiques of theories of language, culture, and identity as they relate to gender, and nationalism. These courses provide a comprehensive study of culture, communication and gender and sexuality. They are concerned with some of the principal questions of feminist theory as viewed from linguistics, media studies and sociolinguistics. These areas include: sociolinguistics, discourse and interaction, gender and culture, communication theory, gender and media, cultural studies, political economy, and symbolic communication.
Language and RaceLanguage and Race focuses on language as a social construct and its importance and constitutive function in culture, appropriation, and performance within and across traditional racial and national lines. The purpose of this area is to study, analyze and critique theories concerning the discursive construction of identity(s) and forms of representation of cultures. In particular, this area focuses on how language and identity are constructed and mediated in literature, film and other media.
EducationLanguage and Education explores linguistic diversity among children and young adults in social, cultural and educational settings. It examines linguistic diversity in general and youth language and African American English from both a theoretical and situated perspective (verbal play, rap, etc.). Focus is on education in both formal and informal situations. Emphasis is on the types and nature of linguistic diversity especially definitions, assessment and social context. Areas include: African American English, creole languages, bilingualism and code switching. General topics include language and culture, linguistics, sociolinguistics, ethnography of speaking, discourse and interaction.
Media and TechnologyMedia and Technology explores the concept of race and ethnicity through the analysis of media systems and institutions, communication frames and symbolic representations and social constructions. These courses introduce and critique social theories and methodologies used to analyze and expand the African American presence in the media and on the Internet. We examine theories and the use of race and representation and explore current issues in cyberculture and how they relate to age-old trends concerning injustice and inequality. Courses explore the various ways that the Internet affects African American communities in general and issues of representation, identity, education and power in particular. Topics include online networking activity and youth digital media use on social networking sites and all of the surrounding issues, ranging from safety to sexualization.
