This 5-credit course investigates swear words and taboo language. Discussions will cover the linguistic, pragmatic, neurological, psychological, and social aspects of swearing. Topics include how the brain processes swear words, cross-cultural differences surrounding taboo language, and the role of obscenity in censorship and federal indecency laws.
(This course has no prerequisites. Counts as VLPA credit.)
Offered: MWF 12:30-1:20p (with TH quiz section)
Instructor: Laura McGarrity, Lecturer (lauramcg@uw.edu)
Dept. of Linguistics, Guggenheim 4th floor
WARNING: Because of the sensitive nature of the topic, this course is intended for mature audiences only. Students who are sensitive to obscene words are discouraged from enrolling, as are students with only a non-scholarly interest in swear words.