Course Credits (3)
From Native Americans, to colonists, to the immigrant communities of yesterday and today, the United States has never spoken just one language. This course offers an exploration of this dynamic tapestry, tracing the history and ever-evolving demographics of languages spoken across the nation. Though addressing topics such as language policy, bilingual education, language contact and revitalization, language attitudes, and more, students will gain a better understanding of the linguistic landscapes that have shaped our past and continue to define our present. This course will over the opportunity to discover the stories, challenges, and opportunities that arise when multiple languages intersect in a multicultural nation.
About Professor Dickinson
Kendra V. Dickinson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. She specializes in sociolinguistics, or the study of the relationship between language and society. Her research applies diverse methodologies to the study of how relationships between linguistic systems and social contexts of language forms can elucidate the motivations for language variation and change. Beyond her research, Kendra is dedicated to teaching and mentoring students. She offers courses in sociolinguistics and multilingualism, encouraging students to engage with real-world linguistic issues through fieldwork and community-based projects.