Communicating Through Sound: An Introduction to Bioacoustics and Linguistics

In this introductory program we will explore communication systems in humans and other animals. With emphasis on human language and birdsong, we will investigate how these systems work to transmit messages between individuals. Key questions we will ask include, what aspects of communication are innate? What parts are acquired during stages of development? What are the structures of human language and animal communication systems, and in what cases do they allow for creativity in communicating new messages? What are the physical attributes of sound-based communication systems, and how are other senses also involved in transmitting information?

The content of the program will include an introduction to animal communication and an introduction to linguistics. Topics within animal communication will include the physics and physiology of sound, the evolution of auditory communication systems, and soundscape ecology. Topics within linguistics will include language acquisition, sound systems and grammatical structures (phonetics, phonology, and syntax), and language change. Throughout the program we will synthesize this learning by examining the ways in which human language shares features with (or differs from) other animal communication systems. Class activities will include lecture, seminar, workshops in quantitative reasoning and language analysis, field observations, and data analysis. Assignments will include linguistics and bioacoustics problem sets, synthesis essays, a formal field journal, and group and individual projects.

There will also be an optional multi-day field trip to a migratory bird hotspot in coastal Texas, where we will investigate the relationships among environment, soundscape, and communication.

This program is coordinated with Greener Foundations for first-year students. Greener Foundations is Evergreen’s in-person 2-quarter introductory student success course sequence, which provides first-year students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive at Evergreen. Students expected to take Greener Foundations should use CRN 20162 to register for a 2-credit Greener Foundations course in addition to this program for 14-credit.  Greener Foundations students can anticipate 2 credits in Introduction to Research instead of 4 as listed below. 

First-year students who are not expected to take Greener Foundations or have been granted an exemption should use CRN 20161 to register for this program at 16-credits. Find more details about who isn't expected to take Greener Foundations on the Greener Foundations website.