Linguistics and Poetics

This seminar will explore the relationship of language to other forms of human communication and expression. One dominant theory in the study of human symbolic action has been that language is the baseline system for understanding how all human expression works. In the context of readings, discussions, and presentations, we will investigate the viability of this stance. Among the questions we may explore: What is language? How systematic is it? How does language organize poetry, and how does poetry organize language? Does poetry organize language? Or does it in fact disorganize it? Are grammar and syntax useful metaphors for discussing such domains as painting, music, sculpture, dance, photography? What is the relationship between language and the arts? Between language and the cultural or natural world? Students will be expected to read, participate, present, and do independent research projects.