Psychology of Language
PSYC 337
Spring 2026
| Section:
01
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| Course Cluster and Certificates: Community-Engaged Learning, Service Learning |
Language is central to both cognition and the human experience. This class is designed to familiarize students with the fundamental principles and questions that surround the study of language and communication from a cognitive psycholinguistic perspective. The course will cover different approaches to the study of language, focused on the role of language in cognition. Additionally, we will cover how speakers and listeners use language to successfully communicate with one another. The course will be a mix of both lectures and discussions, centered on regular readings of scholarly articles that are foundational to the field. Students will be evaluated on routine writing exercises, including periodic short assignments and a longer final paper. Students may also be evaluated on participation, engagement, short quizzes, and/or short homework assignments. Formally, students will be asked to engage with peer-reviewed research, utilize library resources, engage critically with course material, discuss new ideas with peers, and improve their academic writing capabilities on complex and current scientific topics. Students who have taken PSYC122F will not be admitted due to the overlap in content. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
NSM PSYC |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (Psychology) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
There will be a reading each week. Some articles may include:
1) Herbert H. Clark & Gregory L. Murphy (1982). AUDIENCE DESIGN IN MEANING AND REFERENCE. DOI: 10.1016/S0166-4115(09)60059-5
2) Willem J. M. Levelt (1995). THE ABILITY TO SPEAK: FROM INTENTIONS TO SPOKEN WORDS. DOI: 10.1017/S1062798700001290
3) Thomas Scott-Phillips (2015). NONHUMAN PRIMATE COMMUNICATION, PRAGMATICS, AND THE ORIGIN OF LANGUAGE. DOI: 10.1086/679674
4) Dan Sperber & Deirdre Wilson (2002). PRAGMATICS, MODULARITY, AND MIND-READING. DOI: 10.1111/1468-0017.00186
5) Philip Wolff & Kevin J. Holmes (2011). LINGUISTIC RELATIVITY. DOI: 10.1002/wcs.104
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Examinations and Assignments:
Assignments will consist of 1) small in-class assignments (e.g., short quizzes and homework), 2) periodic written reflections in which students are asked to apply the knowledge they gain from the course to a relevant linguistic question, and 3) a final paper in which the student will demonstrate critical thinking and research skills regarding some topic relevant to the class. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
The course will count as an specialized or an elective toward the psychology major. Students who have taken PSYC122F will not be admitted due to the overlap in content.
It is recommended, though not required, that students have some background in the fundamentals of psychology (e.g., PSYC 105).
Students must attend the first class to maintain or be eligible to gain enrollment for the course. |
| Instructor(s): Riedmann,Casey Times: .M.W... 01:20PM-02:40PM; Location: TBA |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 15 | Permission of instructor approval will be granted by the instructor during pre-registration through the Electronic Portfolio. Click "Add to My Courses" and "To request a POI electronically, click here" to submit your request. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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