Week 2 Meaning    Sessions

2.1 Exploring Language Concepts

Agenda:

a. Listen to Powerpoint/Breeze lectures on Acquiring Language and Sharing Meaning

b. Start reading L&L Ch. 3.  Reading Assignment

c. Pause on p. 52 to listen to Karen, Melanie and Shanna’s “Shopping and Shoe Boots” exchange. 

d. Return to the transcript in Language and Literacy.  Note what you see as the primary semantic field/fields in this conversation.  What concepts do you find repeated, in the same words, different words, or through reference pronouns?  After you've glossed and made notes on the text of the conversation, look at the file with an already glossed version.  Do you agree with this glossing?  Are there things you would change?

e. Read the rest of Ch. 3.  We’ll be working a lot with the concepts of a semantic field and shared knowledge.

f. Post new understandings and questions about language concepts to the language concept discussion board.

g. Read others' postings and add additional comments.

h.  If you want further explanations of semantic fields, look at the songwriter's guide to semantic fields.

2.2 Applying Language Concepts to Literature

Agenda:

a. Read Doyle, from the middle of page. 6 and  to the middle of p. 7, with Paula's memories of her "happy home."  What associated words contribute to the semantic field of happy home for Paula?

b.  Listen to the audiotape for this segment.  Does hearing Paula's words add to your sense of this semantic field? 

c. Contribute a quick observation to what will become an ongoing threaded discussion on Doyle.

c. Read Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl” Reading Assignment

d. Work through the questions on Worksheet 3.1, applying them to Kincaid's story   Worksheet Ch3, 1

d. On the literature blog, post an entry drawing on some of the understandings you've gained as you've worked through the worksheet questions. In your entry, ask questions about anything you're uncertain about, as well.

e. Return to the discussion board and read others’ postings and questions, responding to two.  From the points that have been made and the semantic fields that have been identified, what do you see as the themes being explored in this short story?  Add another comment to your own posting.

2.3 Doing Language Research

Agenda:

a. Tape a conversation in a setting and/or with participants you're interested in studying. Transcribe a small portion (about 5 minutes) exactly as spoken. (See p. 278 of L&L.)

b. Post your transcript to your research journal.  If possible, email me a link to an audio file.    Creating Digital Audio Files             Choosing a Conversation to Record

c. Read (and/or listen to) two other postings of a conversational exchange.  Comment with your observations about the words of each exchange, and the shared meanings/interests/concerns they seem to represent.