CDSJ 2400 Why Language Matters

This course is about why language matters for understanding social, economic, political and philosophical problems in our world. It explores key debates in the study of human language such as the biological and cultural basis of language, the diversity of human languages, how language shapes thought, social identities and inequalities, and how languages change with globalization and technologies. Each debate illuminates problems in the world such as the status of truth and facts, naturalization of poverty and inequality, persistence of systemic forms of oppression and discrimination, rationalizations of wars and violence, constructions of ‘difference’ as dangerous, propagation of bias in artificial intelligence, language domination in a global world. Students will learn critical thinking skills such as problem ‘framing’, forms of analysis, argument and perspective, assumptions, biases and contradictions, and evaluating problems as ‘tame’, critical or ‘wicked’.

UCC Area F (Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Arts & Humanities) Course Objectives: Explore and engage in processes, techniques, and strategies that foster curiosity, promote inquiry, and yield well-reasoned conclusions and solutions concerning humans and the world they live in. Cross Listed Course(s): ANTH 2400
Credits: 3.0