Harvey M Sussman

Speech Science is the study of the acoustic, aerodynamic, neuromotor, articulatory, and perceptual basis of both producing and perceiving a speech signal. The course assumes no prior background. Speech production is first described by discussing the (1) respiratory system; (2) the laryngeal system; and the (3) vocal tract articulatory system. The acoustic shaping of the 'laryngeal buzz' into a speech sound is extensively discussed, with examples illustrating spectral analysis of speech. A thorough grounding in speech motor control introduces the student to the competing theoretical positions that seek to understand this conversion of linguistic representations to sound. Speech perception is studied by examining the (1) acoustic correlates/cues of phonemes; (2) perceptual abilities of infants; and (3) the possible role of neural feature detectors in decoding the speech signal. This course fulfills the Alternative Natural Science requirement.
Texts

None. A course packet will be used.

Neurolinguistics is a survey-type course exploring selected subject areas within the broad field of cognitive neuroscience. The course begins with a comprehensive review of neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, emphasizing motor and sensory systems dealing with speech/language. The second topic area provides a historical perspective on the classic neurological debates and theories related to localizationist and holist views on the nature of language representation in the brain. Subsequent topics include representative studies incorporating various techniques to uncover and understand language mechanisms in brain tissue: in vivo brain stimulation; event-related evoked potentials, and brain imaging via PET and fMRI. The third major topic area is Aphasiology, emphasizing Broca's, Wernickes, and Conduction aphasia. Aphasia studies exploring syntactic and semantic processing as well as polyglot aphasia will be discussed. The final topic area is hemispheric specialization for language. Split brain studies and left versus right hemisphere abilities will be evaluated, as well as evidence for left hemisphere specialization in lower mammals and other primates.

Required texts:  Outside reading list (optional) and note packet (required).

In this course you will learn the fundamentals of human brain structure and functionrelevant to speech and language processing. You will be provided with a complete review ofneuroanatomy (structure) and neurophysiology (function), as well as how neurons 'talk' to eachother across synapses. In addition, you will become familiar with the following: (1) current methods used to probe the neural bases of speech and language function: (2) the neuropathology of speech-language disturbance following brain injury, i.e., aphasia; and (3) left-right hemispheric specializations.  No prior background is assumed. The format is informal lecture-style with class participation encouraged. Course packet is used and essential.

Grading Policy: Grading is based on four objective (scantron) exams. No term paper.

Neurolinguistics is a survey-type course exploring selected subject areas within the broad field of cognitive neuroscience. The course begins with a comprehensive review of neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, emphasizing motor and sensory systems dealing with speech/language. The second topic area provides a historical perspective on the classic neurological debates and theories related to localizationist and holist views on the nature of language representation in the brain. Subsequent topics include representative studies incorporating various techniques to uncover and understand language mechanisms in brain tissue: in vivo brain stimulation; event-related evoked potentials, and brain imaging via PET and fMRI. The third major topic area is Aphasiology, emphasizing Broca's, Wernickes, and Conduction aphasia. Aphasia studies exploring syntactic and semantic processing as well as polyglot aphasia will be discussed. The final topic area is hemispheric specialization for language. Split brain studies and left versus right hemisphere abilities will be evaluated, as well as evidence for left hemisphere specialization in lower mammals and other primates.

Required texts:  Outside reading list (optional) and note packet (required).

Speech Science is the study of the acoustic, aerodynamic, neuromotor, articulatory, and perceptual basis of both producing and perceiving a speech signal. The course assumes no prior background. Speech production is first described by discussing the (1) respiratory system; (2) the laryngeal system; and the (3) vocal tract articulatory system. The acoustic shaping of the 'laryngeal buzz' into a speech sound is extensively discussed, with examples illustrating spectral analysis of speech. A thorough grounding in speech motor control introduces the student to the competing theoretical positions that seek to understand this conversion of linguistic representations to sound. Speech perception is studied by examining the (1) acoustic correlates/cues of phonemes; (2) perceptual abilities of infants; and (3) the possible role of neural feature detectors in decoding the speech signal. This course fulfills the Alternative Natural Science requirement.
Texts

None. A course packet will be used.

In this course you will learn the fundamentals of human brain structure and functionrelevant to speech and language processing.  You will be provided with a complete review ofneuroanatomy (structure) and neurophysiology (function), as well as how neurons 'talk' to eachother across synapses.  In addition, you will become familiar with the following: (1) current methods used to probe the neural  bases of speech and language function: (2) the neuropathology of speech-language disturbance following brain injury, i.e., aphasia; and (3) left-right hemispheric specializations.  No prior background is assumed.  The format is informal lecture-style with class participation encouraged. Course packet is used and essential.Grading Policy: Grading is based on four objective (scantron) exams. No term paper.

Neurolinguistics is a survey-type course exploring selected subject areas within the broad field of cognitive neuroscience. The course begins with a comprehensive review of neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, emphasizing motor and sensory systems dealing with speech/language. The second topic area provides a historical perspective on the classic neurological debates and theories related to localizationist and holist views on the nature of language representation in the brain. Subsequent topics include representative studies incorporating various techniques to uncover and understand language mechanisms in brain tissue: in vivo brain stimulation; event-related evoked potentials, and brain imaging via PET and fMRI. The third major topic area is Aphasiology, emphasizing Broca's, Wernickes, and Conduction aphasia. Aphasia studies exploring syntactic and semantic processing as well as polyglot aphasia will be discussed. The final topic area is hemispheric specialization for language. Split brain studies and left versus right hemisphere abilities will be evaluated, as well as evidence for left hemisphere specialization in lower mammals and other primates.Texts:Outside reading list (optional) and note packet (required).

Speech Science is the study of the acoustic, aerodynamic, neuromotor, articulatory, and perceptual basis of both producing and perceiving a speech signal. The course assumes no prior background. Speech production is first described by discussing the (1) respiratory system; (2) the laryngeal system; and the (3) vocal tract articulatory system. The acoustic shaping of the 'laryngeal buzz' into a speech sound is extensively discussed, with examples illustrating spectral analysis of speech. A thorough grounding in speech motor control introduces the student to the competing theoretical positions that seek to understand this conversion of linguistic representations to sound. Speech perception is studied by examining the (1) acoustic correlates/cues of phonemes; (2) perceptual abilities of infants; and (3) the possible role of neural feature detectors in decoding the speech signal. This course fulfills the Alternative Natural Science requirement.
Texts

None. A course packet will be used.

In this course you will learn the fundamentals of human brain structure and function
relevant to speech and language processing.  You will be provided with a complete review of
neuroanatomy (structure) and neurophysiology (function), as well as how neurons 'talk' to each
other across synapses.  In addition, you will become familiar with the following: (1) current methods
used to probe the neural  bases of speech and language function: (2) the neuropathology of speech-
language disturbance following brain injury, i.e., aphasia; and (3) left-right hemispheric specializations.  

No prior background is assumed.  

The format is informal lecture-style with class participation encouraged. Course packet is used and essential.

Grading Policy:
Grading is based on four objective (scantron) exams. No term paper.

Neurolinguistics is a survey-type course exploring selected subject areas within the broad field of cognitive neuroscience. The course begins with a comprehensive review of neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, emphasizing motor and sensory systems dealing with speech/language. The second topic area provides a historical perspective on the classic neurological debates and theories related to localizationist and holist views on the nature of language representation in the brain. Subsequent topics include representative studies incorporating various techniques to uncover and understand language mechanisms in brain tissue: in vivo brain stimulation; event-related evoked potentials, and brain imaging via PET and fMRI. The third major topic area is Aphasiology, emphasizing Broca's, Wernickes, and Conduction aphasia. Aphasia studies exploring syntactic and semantic processing as well as polyglot aphasia will be discussed. The final topic area is hemispheric specialization for language. Split brain studies and left versus right hemisphere abilities will be evaluated, as well as evidence for left hemisphere specialization in lower mammals and other primates.

Texts:
Outside reading list (optional) and note packet (required).

Course Description

Speech Science is the study of the acoustic, aerodynamic, neuromotor, articulatory, and perceptual basis of both producing and perceiving a speech signal. The course assumes no prior background. Speech production is first described by discussing the (1) respiratory system; (2) the laryngeal system; and the (3) vocal tract articulatory system. The acoustic shaping of the 'laryngeal buzz' into a speech sound is extensively discussed, with examples illustrating spectral analysis of speech. A thorough grounding in speech motor control introduces the student to the competing theoretical positions that seek to understand this conversion of linguistic representations to sound. Speech perception is studied by examining the (1) acoustic correlates/cues of phonemes; (2) perceptual abilities of infants; and (3) the possible role of neural feature detectors in decoding the speech signal. This course fulfills the Alternative Natural Science requirement.
Texts

None. A course packet will be used.

For detailed Course Schedule, download attachment.

For detailed Course Schedule, download attachment.

Speech Science is the study of the acoustic, aerodynamic, neuromotor, articulatory, and perceptual basis of both producing and perceiving a speech signal. The course assumes no prior background. Speech production is first described by discussing the (1) respiratory system; (2) the laryngeal system; and the (3) vocal tract articulatory system. The acoustic shaping of the 'laryngeal buzz' into a speech sound is extensively discussed, with examples illustrating spectral analysis of speech. A thorough grounding in speech motor control introduces the student to the competing theoretical positions that seek to understand this conversion of linguistic representations to sound. Speech perception is studied by examining the (1) acoustic correlates/cues of phonemes; (2) perceptual abilities of infants; and (3) the possible role of neural feature detectors in decoding the speech signal. This course fulfills the Alternative Natural Science requirement.
Texts

None. A course packet will be used.