In this in course, we will explore the many ways that language is enmeshed with power in societies. This will include discussions of language ideologies and the politicization of language in nationalist and language revitalization movements as well as debates over “correct” ways of speaking. We will also consider ways that language plays a role in societal power formations, including race and gender. On these lines, we will discuss the use of singular “they,” debates around African American English and Mock Spanish. The final weeks of the class, we will focus on student research projects.