Fall 2024 GRADUATE COURSES:
LIN 506: Sociolinguistics | TR 2-3:15 | Barrett
This course is an advanced survey of current areas of research in sociolinguistics. Topics include dialectology, language variation and change, ineractional sociolinguistics, language and gender, bilingualism, and language contact. Pre-req: LIN 221 or LIN 222 or SOC 101 or ANT 220. Same as ANT 506, SOC 506
LIN 510: Corpus Linguistics | TR 3:30-4:45 | Lauersdorf
A linguistic corpus is a collection of language samples chosen to model language use of a specific speech community and to provide primary materials for linguistic investigation. Modern digital corpora harness the quantitative power of computers for data-rich analysis in all areas of linguistic study. This course surveys the key principles of corpus linguistics and the criteria used in assembling linguistic corpora. It discusses the application of corpus-based investigations across linguistic research domains, and engages students in hands-on linguistic research using various types of corpora. Pre-req: LIN 221 and 222. Students enrolled in 510 must enroll in 540
LIN 512: Syntactic Analysis | TR 2-3:15 | Carrier
This course provides students with the practical skills and the theoretical frameworks needed to understand current research in syntax. You will learn how linguists study the structure of sentences in the languages of the world. You will learn how linguists develop theoretical models to understand the human capacity for language and be introduced to some of these models. You will learn to conduct data analysis, how to evaluate formal hypotheses, and how to provide support for and against these hypotheses. Pre-req: LIN 221. Same as: ENG 512
LIN 540: Lab in Linguistics: Corpus Linguistics | F 3-4:40 | Lauersdorf
A laboratory course offering students the opportunity for hands-on application of the general theories and methods of linguistics at the level of advanced undergraduate/beginning graduate training. The lab environment will generally involve both individual and small group work, developing both independent research skills and an ability to engage in collaborative linguistic investigation. May be repeated for credit under different topics.. Pre-req: LIN 221 or consent of instructor. Must be enrolled in LIN 510
LIN 606: Advanced Sociolinguistics | TR 11-12:15 | McGowan
Building upon the solid foundation in the broad principles of sociolinguistic inquiry developed in LIN/ANT/SOC 506, this course explores current theoretical debates in sociolinguistics by introducing a series of alternative frameworks, which may include paradigms like traditional Labovian sociolinguistics or the exploration of sociolinguistic concepts in social theory, and students will be responsible for assessing and critiquing each framework as presented. This course may require LIN 640 taken concurrently. Pre-req: LIN/ANT/SOC 506 (Sociolinguistics) or similar course approved by the DGS; may require LIN 640 take concurrently
LIN 611: Quantitative Methods in Linguistics | MW 12-1:15 | Fruehwald
An increasingly important method in linguistic research relies on measuring some quantity, and inferring some linguistic reality based on such findings. This course presents scenarios where such an approach makes sense, and outlines the appropriate measures and the safest, most reliable ways in which such measures can be used to draw inferences.
LIN 748: Masters Thesis Research | TBD | McGowan
Half-time to full-time work on thesis. May be repeated to a maximum of six semesters. Pre-req: All course work toward the degree must be completed
Spring 2025 Courses
LIN 500: Phonetics | TR 12:30-1:45 | McGowan
This course examines the phonetics of natural language, including both the articulation and acoustics of speech sounds and suprasegmental units. Discussion includes extensive reference to languages other than English. Pre-req: LIN 221 and 300 (or permission of instructor).
LIN 507: Linguistic Anthropology | MWF 11-11:50 | Barrett
This course is an advanced survey of current areas of research in linguistic anthropology. Topics include language and thought, cultural difference in linguistic interactions, the ethnography of communication, ritual uses of language and identify and cultural poetics. Pre-req: LIN 221 or 222 or SOC 101 or ANT 220. Same as: ANT 507.
LIN 517: Special Topic Linguistics: Natural Language Processing | TR 9:30-10:45 | Fruehwald
The focus will be on intensive study of problems and issues that do not fall under linguistics course headings. These may have an interdisciplinary emphasis, or they may concentrate on some special topics of current research. All topics will be subject to review by the director of the program. May be repeated under different subtitle to a maximum of six credits. Pre-req: LIN 221.
LIN 519: Historical Linguistics | MW 3-4:15 | Lauersdorf
This course studies the historical development of language through time and space, examining the internal mechanisms and external influences involved in language change. Change will be examined at all levels: orthographic, phonetic, phonological, morphological, syntactic, semantic, and lexical. The course will also to investigate a variety of topics related to the phenomenon of language change; language classification; comparative linguistics; the reconstruction of linguistic systems; the social context of language change. Through study of these issues, students will gain insights into historical language varieties and writing systems; relationships among the world's languages; and the origins of the sounds, words, and structures of the languages we speak today. Pre-req: LIN 221, or consent of instructor. Same as: ANT 519.
LIN 527: Language Investigations: Mayan | MWF 12-12:50 | Barrett
This course presents a focused investigation of an individual language or a set of languages (in a language family or other defined grouping, e.g., connected by geopolitical area), examining genetic and typological features of the language(s) from a structural, historical, and/or sociolinguistic perspective. The course may be taken twice for up to six (6) credits under different subtitles. Prerequisite: LIN 221 & LIN 222, or consent of instructor. Pre-req: LIN 221 & LIN 222, or consent of instructor.
LIN 615: Advanced Phonology | TR 2-3:15 | Bosch
This course provides an introduction to current constraint-based theoretical approaches within phonology, emphasizing Optimality Theoretic approaches. Within this framework students will analyze individual features, sounds and prosodic units, all within problem sets conducted in class and at home. This course may require LIN 640 taken concurrently. Pre-req: LIN 515 or similar course approved by the DGS; may require LIN 640 taken concurrently.
LIN 617: Advanced Topics in Ling: How to Trap and Attitude| W 3-5:30 | Preston
Attitudes, beliefs, subjective correlates or more generally "language regard" is a required area of investigation if all the problems of language variation and change identified in Weinreich et al. (1968) are carefully attended to. They also assert that such matters are not automatic byproducts of even carefully conducted, variationist studies of language performance. They must be determined independently. This course will survey how such independent investigations have been done, ranging from carefully controlled experimental work, typical of much sociophonetic research, up to and including discoursal and ethnographic studies more common in anthropological and pragmatic approaches. To a certain extent, that range is from the quantitative to the qualitative, but, as we shall see, that may be a caricature of research targets and methodologies of data acquisition and interpretation at both ends of the spectrum. We will read representative, exemplary work from this range of studies, and each member of the class will provide an oral, critical report on one such study and also carry out a research project in one of these areas. Students who plan other use of their data than this classroom practice are advised that IRB approval is required. Pre-req: A course in a cognate field at the LIN 500 level of equivalent, or by discretion of DGS.
LIN 695-003: Research Seminar in Linguistic Theory and Typology | M 1-1:50 | Burkette
Students are trained in research and professionalization related to the discipline of a linguistics. Pre-req: second-year standing in the MA program in Linguistic Theory & Typology, LIN 601. 1-credit hour course.
LIN 748: Masters Thesis Research | TBD | McGowan
Half-time to full-time work on thesis. May be repeated to a maximum of six semesters. Pre-req: All course work toward the degree must be completed.