William Foley

Honestly not too bad. Problem sets could take a long time to complete, but Bill is very open to helping during office hours. The final was very similar to the problem sets. I came into the class under the impression it was going to be hell on Earth confusing problem sets, but it really wasn't. 60% 5 problem sets (practice ones before to help you figure out what you need to include). 40% take-home final (2 problems).

I learned about phonetics, morphology, syntax, and writing in IPA. The course goes into IPA within the first two weeks and the first three assignments were the hardest.

I learned how to frame and begin a thesis project.

I think this class is one where Bill really excels because it's exactly the material he's interested in and has spent his academic career on. He's definitely incredibly knowledgeable, and he's 100% willing to answer your questions and go off on tangents the class may be interested in. Content is very much what it sounds like, although maybe a bit more grammar than word. We got into polysynthesis at the end, but we didn't have enough time to really cover much. Bill also took the class out for a picnic at the end, which was really nice.

phonetics, phonology, morphology, nd syntax analysis if the world's languages

I learned methods of preparing a thesis, from preliminary literature review to narrowing in on a research topic.

5 problem sets, each worth 12 points/12% of final grade. One 24-hour take-home final worth 40%. The workload is light but you will likely need to do the readings to supplement the disorganized lectures, and the readings are heavy. You will also need to figure out on your own which readings to do and when because the syllabus/timeline of the course is not followed. But many students get by without doing readings (I wouldn't recommend if you're new to linguistics). There is little clarity behind what types of things get you deduction of points and how much of a deduction it is. Bill has openly said that he grades somewhat harshly because he is from Australia (where the grading system is much more harsh). Small mistakes can lead to big deductions.

Phonetics, phonology, syntax, morphology, and semantics

While hard to "recommend," as it is required for the major, Thesis is a well conceived and executed course. I would recommend a linguistics thesis to anyone on the fence.

The teaching style is chaotic and disorganized, but this doesn't necessarily make the course impossible. If you need structure and clear grading expectations, avoid taking courses with this professor. If you're a linguistics major it may be unavoidable. He tends to argue with students a lot and be intolerant of views that oppose his own, but I think it comes from his wealth of experience and length of time in the linguistics field. If you disagree or do something on a problem set he disagrees with, you need to be able to argue for it, and prepare to still have points taken off if he doesn't believe your justification is sufficient. Be prepared to get cut off in the middle of asking a questions and have to say it a few times before he understands what you're actually asking. What he lacks in organization is made up for with leniency. He is usually ok with slight lateness on assignments, but will not accept anything after solutions have been reviewed in class. Overall he's a very intelligent and caring person.