LING 281 A-Z - Special Topics in Linguistics
Semester Hours: 1-3
Periodically
Directed investigation of topics in any of the various subfields of linguistics or problems in the study of a selected foreign language.
LING 281X - The Linguist as Expert Witness
This course is taught in coordination with Hofstra Law School’s LAW 3601, Expert Witness in Civil Cases, an upper-level experiential credit law school course. The course is organized around a simulated litigation. Law students are grouped into firms representing a plaintiff and a defendant. Linguistics students will be assigned in teams to each firm to act as expert witnesses.
One of the key objectives of the course is to give simulated experience in the realities that a professional linguist would face serving as an expert witness in a court case. This includes coordination with retaining attorneys to focus one’s linguistic analysis on legally relevant points, and present those in a report dealing with the language evidence facts of the case. Also included is witness preparation by one’s attorneys, giving testimony and being cross-examined in a deposition, qualifying under Daubert or Frye to testify, and giving direct testimony and undergoing cross examination at a jury trial.
Linguistics students are required to attend all sessions and work diligently with teams outside of class hours in emulation of actual professional practice.
Open to second-year graduate students by permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes:
May be repeated for credit when topics vary. As individual subjects are selected, each is assigned a letter (A-Z) which is affixed to the course number. Specific titles and course descriptions for special topics courses are available in the online class schedule. May not be taken on a Pass/Fail basis.
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