SPAN 160
Topics in Spanish Linguistics
Description: Lecture, four hours. Requisite: course 25 or 27. Exploration of origin of language, how Spanish is acquired, evolution of Spanish from Latin to early modern period, how Spanish varies in world, how to teach Spanish, Spanish in contact with other languages. Possible topics include Spanish in Los Angeles, history of Spanish language, first- and second-language acquisition, language and cognition. May be repeated for credit with topic change. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2019 - This class was EXTREMELY BORING. I took Ling 1 my freshman year with Torrance and found it fascinating so I was really excited to take this class. I felt like I didn't learn anything of value in this class and I often sat in the back and worked on other things. He requires you buy a course reader but I'd recommend the PDF only. His assignments you can just search for the word he's assigned and literally copy how to do it out of the book. He often times does word derivations wrong in class. Would not recommend even for an "easy-A," do yourself a favor and take a more interesting class
Winter 2019 - This class was EXTREMELY BORING. I took Ling 1 my freshman year with Torrance and found it fascinating so I was really excited to take this class. I felt like I didn't learn anything of value in this class and I often sat in the back and worked on other things. He requires you buy a course reader but I'd recommend the PDF only. His assignments you can just search for the word he's assigned and literally copy how to do it out of the book. He often times does word derivations wrong in class. Would not recommend even for an "easy-A," do yourself a favor and take a more interesting class
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2016 - I took Ian's Spanish linguistics class Winter 2016. So far I have taken five different Spanish classes in working towards the UCLA Spanish minor, and Ian's class has been by far my favorite. I came into the class a bit reluctant at first because I am not the biggest fan of linguistics, but Ian kept a rather dry topic interesting. He always incorporated a great sense of humor into his lectures, he would always clarify trickier topics, and he always made students feel comfortable in seeking additional assistance at his office hours. There were no surprises in Ian's class because he always made clear when there was going to be a test or quiz, and he made sure that the entire class was excelling in the subject matter before administering any test. The homework was a good workload and Ian usually gave students a full week to complete it.. There was also a short presentation that students had to give in groups based on a chapter in the required reading. Again, it is not difficult at all due to the fact that Ian lets you decide at the start of the quarter which chapter your group will present. The class is broken down as follows: Homework: 10% Presentation: 20% Quizzes: 20% Midterm: 25% Final: 25% *There is also extra credit on the midterm and final exam I got a C+ on the midterm, but began meeting with him at office hours and began prepping early to do better on the final exam. My advice is to do well on the midterm. I had to put a little more effort in for the final to do well in the class, but if you do well on the midterm, you will be in perfect shape going into the final. The course content after the first midterm definitely begins to get trickier, so it is important to do well right from the start. However, if you don't do so hot on the midterm like I did, just make sure you do well in other areas so you are in good shape for the final. Overall I would say the final is slightly more challenging than the midterm. The hardest part of the final is definitely the linguistic trees that you have to do, but these can be mastered with enough preparation. I cannot say enough good things about Ian. If you are a Spanish major or minor in need of an upper division elective I highly recommend taking a class with Ian at least once in your time at UCLA. He definitely pushes students to work hard throughout the course, but if you put in the effort and put in the extra time outside of class an A is definitely obtainable. I am looking forward to potentially taking another class with Ian at some point in the future.
Winter 2016 - I took Ian's Spanish linguistics class Winter 2016. So far I have taken five different Spanish classes in working towards the UCLA Spanish minor, and Ian's class has been by far my favorite. I came into the class a bit reluctant at first because I am not the biggest fan of linguistics, but Ian kept a rather dry topic interesting. He always incorporated a great sense of humor into his lectures, he would always clarify trickier topics, and he always made students feel comfortable in seeking additional assistance at his office hours. There were no surprises in Ian's class because he always made clear when there was going to be a test or quiz, and he made sure that the entire class was excelling in the subject matter before administering any test. The homework was a good workload and Ian usually gave students a full week to complete it.. There was also a short presentation that students had to give in groups based on a chapter in the required reading. Again, it is not difficult at all due to the fact that Ian lets you decide at the start of the quarter which chapter your group will present. The class is broken down as follows: Homework: 10% Presentation: 20% Quizzes: 20% Midterm: 25% Final: 25% *There is also extra credit on the midterm and final exam I got a C+ on the midterm, but began meeting with him at office hours and began prepping early to do better on the final exam. My advice is to do well on the midterm. I had to put a little more effort in for the final to do well in the class, but if you do well on the midterm, you will be in perfect shape going into the final. The course content after the first midterm definitely begins to get trickier, so it is important to do well right from the start. However, if you don't do so hot on the midterm like I did, just make sure you do well in other areas so you are in good shape for the final. Overall I would say the final is slightly more challenging than the midterm. The hardest part of the final is definitely the linguistic trees that you have to do, but these can be mastered with enough preparation. I cannot say enough good things about Ian. If you are a Spanish major or minor in need of an upper division elective I highly recommend taking a class with Ian at least once in your time at UCLA. He definitely pushes students to work hard throughout the course, but if you put in the effort and put in the extra time outside of class an A is definitely obtainable. I am looking forward to potentially taking another class with Ian at some point in the future.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2024 - I really admire Profe Suhr. She's so fair and genuinely passionate about teaching Spanish. She goes out of her way to help students, especially with Spanish translations. Her office hours are incredibly helpful because she breaks down everything from the slides to ensure everyone understands, even repeating herself in English if needed. I've taken her class twice this quarter, and it's been fantastic both times. While there isn't much homework aside from readings, sometimes challenging to grasp, paying attention in class is crucial because she simplifies everything. Personally, I would've liked more homework to reinforce learning, but as long as you attend class, take notes, and review the slides, you'll excel.
Winter 2024 - I really admire Profe Suhr. She's so fair and genuinely passionate about teaching Spanish. She goes out of her way to help students, especially with Spanish translations. Her office hours are incredibly helpful because she breaks down everything from the slides to ensure everyone understands, even repeating herself in English if needed. I've taken her class twice this quarter, and it's been fantastic both times. While there isn't much homework aside from readings, sometimes challenging to grasp, paying attention in class is crucial because she simplifies everything. Personally, I would've liked more homework to reinforce learning, but as long as you attend class, take notes, and review the slides, you'll excel.
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