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Communication Sciences and Disorders 421

COSD 421: Language Development: Birth to Five Years

Prerequisite: None

Credit Hours: (3)

A study of normal language development from birth through five years of age.

Note(s): Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have previously taken COSD 321.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

The purpose of the course is to acquaint students with the complex and interwoven social, cognitive, and semiotic aspects of language development during the first five years. Topics will include the properties and components of language and communication; the factors that interact in the process of language acquisition; the sequential development of speech and language; aspects of the development of language form (syntax, morphology, phonology), content (semantics), and use (pragmatics); and, socio-cultural variations in language acquisition. Additionally, assessment of normal language development via language sampling will be included.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Information is presented through lecture, video taped samples, and multimedia presentations. Language analysis assignments are designed to illustrate the applications of linguistic theory.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Goals and objectives of the course are for students to:

l. list and define the properties and components of language and communication.
2. identify the variety of factors that interact when children are learning language.
3. describe the sequential nature of speech and language acquisition.
4. use a variety of resources to access information about normal speech and language characteristics of children.
5. demonstrate an understanding of cultural variations in language and speech use.
6. describe emerging literacy and its relationship to language.

Assessment Measures

Examinations, language sampling assignments, and a final examination will be used to assess student performance.

Other Course Information

None.

Review and Approval
January 2003 Change number from 321 to 421 Raymond Linville, Chair

July, 2010