Apr 18, 2024  
2020-21 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2020-21 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

GFS 315 Language and Society in Costa Rica

The primary focus of this course is on the relationships between language and society by collecting and analyzing field data on the Boruca language, society, and its people in Costa Rica.  Some of the main topics discussed include: how we acquire languages, language loss and death, the social reasons and impacts of language loss, language and political identity, language and societal conflict, the efforts of revitalization by groups who have suffered this loss, second language acquisition theory, and how sociolinguistic research is conducted. After becoming familiar with the major findings of research studies that have examined these topics, you will be guided on how to prepare for data collection of your own. In the field, students will meet professors and students in Costa Rica who study indigenous languages, observe Boruca classes and interact with members of the Boruca community, as well as spend time exploring the natural beauty of Costa Rica through a guided boat tour and trips to national parks and a working organic coffee plantation.
 

Prerequisite: Students must be at least in their second year of undergraduate study to enroll.