Graduate Courses in Linguistics

The Department of English offers the following graduate courses related to linguistics:

LING 5020. Principles and Methods of Historical Linguistics.
3 hours. Introduction to the study of language as it changes over time including phonetic, morphological, syntactic, semantic, and lexical change. Topics include comparative and internal reconstruction, language classification, language contact, lexicostatistics, and distant genetic relationships.
Offered once every other year.
Prerequisite: LING 4040, LING 5040 or consent of instructor

LING 5040. Principles of Linguistics.
3 hours. An introduction to the field of linguistics focusing on the core systems of language, phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. While concentration will be on the analysis of data from many languages around the world, some consideration will be given to recent developments in linguistic theory and in one of the major sub-fields of linguistics.
Offered each term.
Prerequisite: LING 3060 or consent of instructor
Cross-listed with LING 4040.
Required before LING 5020, 5060, 5300, 5310, 5330, 5350, 5380, 5390.

LING 5060. Second Language Acquisition.
3 hours. This course introduces new graduate students to a broad range of issues concerning the acquisition of second languages. Topics include L1-L2 differences, child-adult L2 differences, the teachability of grammar, and models of L2 acquisition.
Usually offered Spring.
Prerequisite: LING 4040, LING 5040 or consent of instructor

LING 5070. Bibliography and Methods of Research in Linguistics/ESL.
3 hours. This course introduces new graduate students to the basic academic tools required for research in ESL or language acquisition. Areas of focus include bibliographic reference and indexing sources, the structure of experimental writing, research design, and (computerized) statistical analysis.
Usually offered Fall.
No Prerequisites; this course should be taken in the first semester if possible.

LING 5080. Methods in Teaching English as a Second Language.
3 hours. Theory and method of teaching English as a second language. Major current theoretical and applied approaches are considered.
Prerequisite: 12 hours of English and one course from the following LING courses: 3060, 4010, 4020, 4040, 4070, 5040.
Offered Fall and usually one Summer term.
Cross-listed with LING 4080.

LING 5090 Pedagogical English Grammar.
3 hours. A thorough study of the basics of English grammar (morphology and syntax) analyzed from traditional, descriptive, and theoretical points of view. Emphasis on pedagogical problems.
Usually offered Fall.
Prerequisite: LING 4040, LING 5040 or consent of instructor

LING 5300 Phonology.
A detailed study of phonetics and sound systems of natural languages in terms of contemporary theories of linguistic analysis.
Usually offered Fall.
Prerequisite: LING 4040, LING 5040 or consent of instructor.
Required for MA in Linguistics and MA in ESL.

LING 5310 Syntax.
3 hours. A detailed study of the morpho-syntax and semantics of natural languages in terms of contemporary theories of linguistic analysis.
Usually offered Spring.
Prerequisite: LING 4040, LING 5040 or consent of instructor.
Required for MA in Linguistics and MA in ESL.

LING 5320 Studies in Applied Linguistics.
3 hours. Various topics.

LING 5320 ESL Program Management.
3 hours. An overview of areas crucial to effective ESL program management: academic concerns (program structure, curriculum design and development, staffing, testing, placement, textbooks); student services (intercultural communication skills, orientation, counseling, INS regulations); and administration (personnel, budget, enrollment management, marketing, data management, leadership skills, evaluation, and legal/institutional/professional concerns).
Occasionally offered.

LING 5320 Discourse Analysis.
3 hours. This course studies naturally occurring speech events such conversations, personal narratives, folktales, and impromptu political speeches. We will discover what principles are at play in discourse structure, cohesion, and effectiveness. The course is offered with English as a Second Language MA students in mind since much of what we will study will have pedagogical implications for the ESL classroom. However, the course will also be of interest to students in Communication, Drama, Women's Studies, and English. Occasionally offered.

LING 5320 World Englishes.
3 hours. This course investigates the history of the spread of English, the structure of non-native varieties of English, rules of conversation and organization of discourse in World Englishes, the representation of World English varieties in literature, the politics of teaching "standard" English in EFL contexts, and attitudes towards speakers of non-native varieties of English.
Prerequisite: LING 4040, LING 5040 or consent of instructor.
Occasionally offered.

LING 5320 First Language Acquisition.
3 hours. This course concentrates on the various areas of early native language development: phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Most work will deal with the findings of recent research in the development of language in the child.
Prerequisite: LING 4040, LING 5040 or consent of instructor.
Occasionally offered.

LING 5330 Sociolinguistics.
3 hours. A study of the relationship of language and society due to differences in race, ethnicity, gender, and class, as shown in the following areas: the ethnography of speaking (analysis of discourse), language variation and social class, pidgin and Creole languages, diglossia and multilingualism, ethnic varieties, language and sex, and language policy and planning.
Usually offered Spring.
Prerequisite: LING 4040, LING 5040 or consent of instructor.

LING 5340 Practicum in Teaching English as a Second Language.
3 hours. Practical experience in the design and implementation of ESL instruction including actual practice in the teaching of English to speakers of other languages. The internship in Morocco provides 6 hours practicum credit.
Usually offered Spring.
Prerequisite: LING 4080, LING 5080 or consent of instructor.
Required for MA in ESL and Certificate in TESOL.

LING 5350 Language Typology and Universals.
3 hours. Data oriented comparison and classification of the languages of the world according to their morphological and syntactic characteristics (role relations, word order, causatives, relative clauses, comparison, etc.) Emphasis is on working through real data from many languages.
Usually offered Spring.
Prerequisite: LING 4040, LING 5040 or consent of instructor.

LING 5360 Studies in Descriptive Linguistics.
3 hours. Various topics.

LING 5360 Government and Binding Theory.
3 hours. This course provides a survey of the version of Government and Binding Theory developed in the latter part of the 1980s. Most of the time in class is devoted to dealing with the mechanics of the theory, but outside readings on the applications of the theory to L1 and/or L2 acquisition are also required.
Prerequisite: LING 4040, LING 5040 or consent of instructor.
Occasionally offered.

LING 5360 Language and the Sexes.
3 hours. In this course, we will examine the empirical issue of whether females and males do indeed speak different languages. We will study not only adult language but also child language to discover the development of any putative differences. In addition, we will consider societal attitudes towards males and females speaking and their implications for determining both linguistic and non-linguistic behavior. Since linguistic stereotypes serve as tools for manipulation and control, this last issue is central to any attempt to liberate both sexes from sexist societal roles.
Occasionally offered.

LING 5360 American Indian Linguistics.
3 hours. An introduction to the structures of the sound systems and grammars of the native languages of North America. Although the course will focus on the linguistic traits of various American Indian groups, it will also serve as a practical introduction to American Indian cultures, and the history of European contact with the North American natives. Topics also include the history, geography, and classification of the American Indian languages.
Prerequisite: LING 4040, LING 5040 or consent of instructor.
Occasionally offered.

LING 5370 Linguistics and Composition.
3 hours. A linguistic and psycholinguistic analysis of the process and product of writing including discourse analysis, the process of reading, the cognitive processes of writing and sociolinguistic variables.
Occasionally offered.

LING 5380 Linguistic Field Methods.
3 hours. Experience in the discovery of the phonology, morphology, and syntax of a language though techniques of elicitation and analysis of data from a native speaker of some unusual (usually a lesser known non-Indo-European) language.
May be repeated for credit.
Usually offered Fall.
Prerequisite: LING 4040, LING 5040 or consent of instructor.

LING 5390 Psycholinguistics.
3 hours. This course deals with a variety of formal cognitive mechanisms that are relevant to the knowledge and use of natural languages. Primary emphasis is on the modular view of mind and its consequences for both L1 and L2 language acquisition.
Offered once every other year.
Prerequisite: LING 4040, LING 5040 or consent of instructor.

LING 5570 Linguistics and Reading.
3 hours. An introduction to linguistic principles which would be of help to teachers of reading. Most emphasis will be placed on English phonology, morphology, and syntax with some attention to semantics, dialect differences, and styles and registers. When applicable, topics will be related to the teaching of reading.
Occasionally offered.

LING 5590 Linguistics and Literature.
3 hours. This course is an introduction to the use of linguistic methods in the analysis of literary texts.
Usually offered every semester.

LING 5900-5910. Special Problems.
1-3 hours each. Conference course open to advanced students capable of doing independent research under the direction of the instructor. Registration permitted only when other graduate courses are not available and only upon recommendation of the instructor ad the consent of the department chair. A maximum of 3 semester hours credit is allowed for each course. (Special Problems form)

LING 5920-5930. Research Problems in Lieu of Thesis (Original Scholarly Papers)
6 hours each. (0;0;6) Courses require the composition of an original scholarly paper in the field of linguistics and/or English as a second language. Prerequisite(s): consent of department.

LING 5950. Master's Thesis.
3 or 6 hours. To be scheduled only with consent of department. 6 hours credit required. No credit assigned until thesis has been completed and filed with the graduate dean. Continuous enrollment required once work on thesis has begun. May be repeated for credit.