CASD 7107 Advanced Language Acquisition (Epstein): Home

Semester: Fall 2019
Instructor: Prof. Baila Epstein, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, TSHH
E-mail: Epstein@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Office Phone #: 718-951-5000 x3071
Office Location: Room 4433, Boylan Hall
Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays by appointment
Location: Room 3428, Boylan Hall
Course Meeting Times:

• Monday section meeting on Mondays at 1:30-3:30pm
• Wednesday section meeting Wednesdays at 1:30-3:30pm

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This course will involve the study of typically developing children, focusing on phonological, semantic, morphological, syntactic, and pragmatic development from pre-linguistic to complex language development. Major topics include contemporary models and key issues in typical speech-language acquisition, including the nature of language and its components, models and theories of language acquisition, and neurological, biological, cognitive, social-emotional, environmental, and cultural foundations of speech-language development. Students will engage in experiential learning activities that include collecting, transcribing, and analyzing children’s spontaneous speech-language samples. Bilingual and second language acquisition will be introduced. The impact of culture on language development will be infused throughout the course content. Class format will include lecture, organized discussion, group assignments, and student presentations.

Students are required to achieve the following learner outcomes by the conclusion of this course. The 2020 ASHA Certification Standards that correspond with these learner outcomes are specified below.

Students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic components of language (form, content, and use) and the interactions among them.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the biological, neurological, cognitive, social, and cultural variations that influence the development of form, content, and use. 
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the major theories of child language acquisition and similarities and differences across theories.
4. Identify typical language learning patterns in monolingual and bilingual speakers.  
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the cognitive and social aspects of language development from pre-linguistic to early language complexity.
6. Compare and contrast theories of language acquisition and how premises of these theories are applied to assessment and intervention. 
7. Collect, transcribe, analyze, and interpret spontaneous language data and incorporate these data into a comprehensive assessment.
8. Differentiate a language difference and a language disorder.

2020 ASHA Certification Standard IV-B: 

The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of basic human communication (and swallowing) processes, including the appropriate biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural bases. The applicant must have demonstrated the ability to integrate information pertaining to normal and abnormal human development across the lifespan.

2020 ASHA Standard IV-D:

The applicant must have demonstrated current knowledge of the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for persons with communication (and swallowing) disorders, including consideration of anatomical/physiological, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates.