English 24

Book List

University of California, Berkeley: A Campus Guide. An Architectural Tour and Photographs by Harvey Helfand; Pelfrey, Patricia: A Brief History of the University of California

Description

"Onomastics," from the Greek onoma, 'name,'  is a minor branch of linguistics that studies proper names. In this course we will study the names of the buildings, spaces, institutions, scholarship funds and so forth that shape our daily lives here at UC Berkeley, as a window into the history of these resources. In the early part of the semester we will read together a book about that history, and then as the days brighten, students will prepare presentations on names of places of their own choosing, and we will stroll around to hear them at those places. We'll begin with Wheeler Hall, named for Benjamin Ide Wheeler, a linguist.

This 1-unit course may not be counted as one of the twelve courses required to complete the English major.