Every year Community College of Vermont employs nearly 800 part-time faculty to teach its courses at 12 locations statewide and online, and we are always looking for enthusiastic, knowledgeable teachers. All faculty work part-time with a maximum of three courses each semester.

Our Mission: The Community College of Vermont, a Vermont State College, supports and challenges all students in meeting their educational goals through an abiding commitment to access, affordability, and student success.

The Community College of Vermont seeks applicants for a part-time faculty position to teach Language, Culture & Community (3 Credits) at the Bennington Center for the Fall 2024 semester.

Day/Times: Tuesdays from 6:00 - 8:45 PM

Semester Dates: 9/5/24 - 12/12/24

Location: Bennington Center

Course Description:

An introduction to the study of linguistics and communication in cultures and societies worldwide. Topics include language origins, change, and acquisition; language structure and speech behavior; sociolinguistics; the relationship between language and thought; and analysis of conversation and meaning.

Course Objectives:

1. Identify the universal characteristics and functions of human language as understood within anthropological linguistics, differentiating this from other forms of human and non-human communication.
2. Describe the physiological and cultural origins of language and examine the role of symbolic communication in the development of human adaptation and culture.
3. Explore theories of language acquisition by children, considering these in cross-cultural contexts.
4. Define key elements of language structure utilized within descriptive linguistics, distinguishing between the formal rules of language and its application in speech behavior.
5. Identify global language families and provide examples of historical and ongoing language change and differentiation, and the primary factors that influence these.
6. Describe linguistic diversity regionally and locally, demonstrating how language use varies in differing social contexts with respect to gender, class, power, age, affinity groups, etc.
7. Examine the relationship between language, thought, and culture, and the interpretation of meaning in communicative acts both linguistic and non-linguistic and across cultures.
8. Apply understanding of sociolinguistics and communication skills gained in the course to prepare a formal presentation that demonstrates proficiency using the CCV Oral Communication Rubric.