Wikipedia:Wiki Ed/University of Illinois at Chicago/The Study of Language (Fall 2022)

Course Description: &quot;Language is the most fundamental trait that makes us human. What is language? What do we know when we know a language? What do we do when we use language? How do we acquire language? What questions are asked and what tools are used in the study of language? This class introduces you to the core concepts and tools used in the field of linguistics. We will learn how to describe speech sounds and sound patterns (Phonetics / Phonology), explore how words and sentences are put together (Morphology / Syntax), and understand the multiple ways that meaning may be explored within the system of language (Semantics) and in relation to context (pragmatics and information structure). With the methods learned from these core areas, we will further study how languages change (Historical Linguistics) and how language is acquired (Language Acquisition).&quot;

Wikipedia Assignment envisioned: Students work in groups to summarize previous scholarship on linguistic features of endangered languages. For each linguistic subfield covered in class (focusing on phonology, morphology, and syntax), students will write up that section for their chosen language. They are expected to fill in gaps in existing Wikipedia articles or, if enough quality references are available, create a new article.

For example, I noticed that Yiddish is missing phonology and grammar content and that for Jakaltek those categories are rather sparse. We can help!

Week 3
Welcome to your Wikipedia assignment's course timeline. This page guides you through the steps you'll need to complete for your Wikipedia assignment, with links to training modules and your classmates' work spaces.

Your course has been assigned a Wikipedia Expert. You can reach them through the Get Help button at the top of this page.

Resources:


 * Editing Wikipedia, pages 1–5
 * Evaluating Wikipedia

Create an account and join this course page, using the enrollment link your instructor sent you. (Because of Wikipedia's technical restraints, you may receive a message that you cannot create an account. To resolve this, please try again off campus or the next day.)

This week, everyone should have a Wikipedia account.

Week 5
Linguistics

Week 8
Resource: Editing Wikipedia, pages 7–9

Everyone has begun writing their article drafts.

Week 9
Guiding framework

Every student has finished reviewing their assigned articles, making sure that every article has been reviewed.

Week 10
You probably have some feedback from other students and possibly other Wikipedians. Consider their suggestions, decide whether it makes your work more accurate and complete, and edit your draft to make those changes.

Resources:


 * Editing Wikipedia, pages 12 and 14
 * Reach out to your Wikipedia Expert if you have any questions.

Week 11
Now that you've improved your draft based on others' feedback, it's time to move your work live - to the &quot;mainspace.&quot;

Resource: Editing Wikipedia, page 13

Week 12
Now's the time to revisit your text and refine your work. You may do more research and find missing information; rewrite the lead section to represent all major points; reorganize the text to communicate the information better; or add images and other media.

Continue to expand and improve your work, and format your article to match Wikipedia's tone and standards. Remember to contact your Wikipedia Expert at any time if you need further help!

Week 13
It's the final week to develop your article.


 * Read Editing Wikipedia page 15 to review a final check-list before completing your assignment.
 * Don't forget that you can ask for help from your Wikipedia Expert at any time!

Everyone should have finished all of the work they'll do on Wikipedia, and be ready for grading.