CoursesCritical Writing: Texting, Slang, Accents: Popular Myths About Language
WRIT 0021/306

Critical Writing: Texting, Slang, Accents: Popular Myths About Language

Are we losing our ability to write because of texting and technology? Why are women more talkative than men? Which languages are more sophisticated than others? Social scientists examine language with rigorous research methods in order to know if popular opinions are fact or fiction. In this writing seminar we will read Abby Kaplan’s Women Talk More Than Men…And Other Myths About Language Explained, to understand how linguists study patterns in language. The book will serve as an introduction to research and data analysis in linguistics and cognitive science. Students then choose topics related to the book to pursue their own research and write about current problems and issues in our present society.

Instructor(s)
  • Helen Jeoung
Semester

Fall 2026

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This is an SNF Paideia designated writing seminar, designed to examine and encourage dialogue across differences. Students and faculty participating in the Paideia writing seminar cluster will have an opportunity to meet once a month for dinner, dialogue, and a keynote speaker or facilitator, as well as engage in other cross seminar community building activities. SNF Paideia designated courses are noted on student transcripts. This seminar fulfills the writing requirement, follows the same curriculum, and has the same workload, assessment process, and standards as all other critical writing seminars at Penn. Seminar topics vary in academic discipline but each relates back to the SNF Paideia program’s core values of informed civil discourse and deliberation. Only first-year students are eligible to enroll in SNF Paideia-designated writing seminars.

Students with a semester level of Junior, Sophomore or Senior may not enroll.

Students in the LPS BAAS and Online Certs, LPS Prof Masters or LPS UG Programs divisions may not enroll.

TR 10:15am-11:44am

Instructor: Helen Jeoung

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