Course Descriptions

Courses with an asterisk (*) are not offered every year.

Ling 390 Introduction to Linguistics (4)
A general introduction to the study of linguistics, including a basic survey of phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics, brief overview of other topics such as language acquisition and language in social contexts, a brief sketch placing English in historical perspective, and a preliminary examination of principles in modern language study.

Ling 411/511 Syntax (4)
Introduction to modern grammatical theory, its methods, and findings. Presents patterns of argumentation, models, and basic results of research.
Prerequisite: Ling 390 and one other course in linguistics.

Ling 412/512 Phonology (4)
How sounds pattern and how they are used in the world’s languages, how those patterns should be represented, and what theories have been advanced to explain those patterns. Some historical background to the sub-discipline and some training in linguistic analysis and argumentation.
Prerequisite: Ling 390. Recommended: Ling 415/515.

Ling 413/513 Linguistic Semantics (4)
Survey of linguistic approaches to meaning, including approaches from logic and philosophy of language. Addresses general questions of meaning, methods for studying meaning, and the relationship of semantic theory to theories of syntax and pragmatics.
Prerequisite: Ling 390. Recommended: Ling 411/511 or 492.

Ling 414/514 Linguistic Pragmatics (4)
A study of current theories of language use, particularly contextual and functional aspects of communication.
Prerequisite: Ling 390. Recommended: Ling 411/511 or 413/513.

Ling 415/515 Linguistic Phonetics (4)
Introduces the sounds of the world’s languages with a concentration on English. Practical exercises designed to develop skills in production, discrimination, and phonetic transcription. Applications to speech technology and speech pathology.
Prerequisite: Ling 390.

*Ling 416/516 Discourse Analysis (4)
The examination of forms and functions in discourse. Using several analytic procedures for understanding how conversation works, especially as applied to language learning and teaching.
Prerequisite: Ling 390.

Ling 417/517 Maintenance and Revitalization of Endangered Languages (4)
General introduction to endangered language revitalization, with a focus on native languages of the Pacific Northwest. Topics include history of attempts to eradicate native languages and the effects on those languages and their communities; theoretical basis for revitalization; emerging tribal policies; and relations between linguists and native communities.
Recommended prerequisites: Ling 390, NAS 301 or equivalent.

*Ling 420/520 Historical and Comparative Linguistics (4)
Study of language relationships and language change. Topics include the genetic classification of languages, language and prehistory, methods of historical reconstruction, and language contact.
Prerequisite: Ling 390. Recommended: Ling 412/512.

Ling 432/532 Sociolinguistics (4)
Examines the role of language in society and how social factors can influence language. The social issues around language including language policy and language ideology.
Prerequisite: Ling 390.

*Ling 433/533 Psycholinguistics (4)
A survey of psycholinguistics and the psychology of language, focusing on the general question of the relation between human language and human beings.
Prerequisite: Ling 390.

†*Ling 435/535 Applied Linguistics (4)
An examination of current areas of applied linguistics research.
Prerequisite: Ling 390.
†Ling 535 may not be counted toward MA TESOL degree.

Ling 437/537 First Language Acquisition (4)
Introduction to main aspects of first language acquisition in childhood, from infancy to the early school years. Examines comprehension and production of the structural and social aspects of language. Includes discussion of language acquisition theories from linguistic, psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic perspectives. Research project based on collection and analysis of child language data required.
Prerequisite: Ling 390.

Ling 438/538 Second Language Acquisition (4)
Introduction to main aspects of second language acquisition from sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic perspectives. Examines comprehension and production, stages in acquisition, cognitive processes, linguistic environment, individual variables, relationship between first and second language. Research project based on collection and analysis of language-learner language.
Prerequisite: Ling 390.

Ling 439/539 Language Assessment (4)
Theoretical background and practical considerations in the conduct of language assessment. Students will explore traditional, quantitative methods as well as alternative, qualitative methods for systematically gathering information to inform decisions about individual language ability.
Prerequisite: Ling 390; 477/577.

*Ling 445/545 Linguistics and Cognitive Science (4)
Presents current developments in linguistic theory, and in psychological theories of perception, cognition, and information processing (with special focus on language processing). Examines the fusion of linguistic and psychological theories into the rapidly growing field of cognitive science.
Prerequisite: Ling 390. Recommended: Ling 433/533.

Ling 470/570 Grammar for TESOL (4)
A study of how to teach difficult grammatical structures in English, how to resolve problems and questions that frequently arise in the ESL classroom, and how to adapt and supplement ESL grammar tests.
Prerequisites: Ling 390; 492 or departmental grammar test.

Ling 471/571 Understanding the International Experience (4)
Examination of communication-based dimensions of an international or intercultural experience, including teaching English to speakers of other languages. Development of strategies and activities required to meet the challenges of teaching, working, or doing research in an international/intercultural setting. All linguistics students must register for Ling 471/571, however, this course is also offered as Intl 471 and BSt 471. Course may be taken only once for credit.

*Ling 474/574 ESL in the Workplace (4)
Theory and practice in developing programs to teach English language programs in the workplace. Students observe workplace programs, examine case studies, and work in teams to assess needs, write curriculum, and develop materials for a local company employing non-native speakers.
Recommended prerequisite: Ling 477/577 or teaching experience.

Ling 475/575 Curriculum Design and Materials Development in TESOL (4)
Principles of curriculum design and instructional materials development in teaching English to speakers of other languages. Students work in teams to assess needs, design syllabus, develop lessons and materials, plan evaluation for English language program. Covers structural, notional and communicative, task-based, and content-based syllabus.
Prerequisite: Ling 390; Ling 477/577 or instructor’s approval. Recommended: Ling 478/578 or teaching experience.

Ling 476/576 Corpus Linguistics in Language Teaching (4)
Introduction to the methods of corpus linguistics, a type of computer-assisted linguistic analysis, applied to second/foreign language teaching and materials development. Includes weekly computer lab sessions conducting corpus linguistics work.
Prerequisite: Ling 390.

Ling 477/577, 478/578 TESOL Methods (4, 4)
Approaches, methods, and techniques in teaching English to speakers of other languages, covering theoretical material and its applications to language teaching. Requires 25 hours/term of observation, tutoring, and practice teaching, and additional 5-10 out-of-class hours for 578. Courses must be taken in sequence. Ling 477/577: Introduces current knowledge concerning language teaching methodology and second language learner characteristics. Prerequisites: Ling 471/571, 438/538.

Ling 478/578: Emphasizes techniques for teaching and classroom management.
Prerequisite: Ling 477/577.

*Ling 480/580 Bilingualism (4)
Survey of issues involved with bilingualism throughout the world. Explores the linguistic, sociolinguistic, and psycholinguistic aspects of simultaneous and subsequent acquisition of one or more languages. Includes perspectives of individual and societal bilingualism, and examines issues involved with bilingual language use, language processing, education, language planning, and language and identity.
Prerequisite: Ling 390.

*Ling 481/581 World Englishes (4)
Explores the role of English as a world language. Using film, audio tapes, and English language newspapers from around the world, students will become familiar with such Englishes as Malaysian English, Indian English, Nigerian English, and Filipino English.
Prerequisite: Ling 232 or 390.

*Ling 482/582 Pidgins and Creoles (4)
Introduces students to the language varieties arising in contact situations. Concentration on African and New World creoles (and African American Vernacular English). Considers the formation of pidgins and creoles in terms of both first and second language acquisition. Looks at the social factors involved in their creation.
Prerequisite: Ling 390.

†Ling 490/590 History of the English Language (4)
A survey in which the development of English phonology, morphology, vocabulary, and syntax is studied through the application of modern linguistic criteria and methodology.
Recommended prerequisite: Ling 390.
†Ling 590 may not be counted toward MA TESOL degree.

Ling 492 Structure of the English Language (4)
A study of English structure and modern approaches to grammar. This course satisfies state standards for teaching English.
Recommended prerequisite: Ling 390.

Ling 503 Thesis (Credit to be arranged.)

Ling 559 Introduction to Graduate Study in Applied Linguistics (2)
Serves as an introduction to graduate study in applied linguistics with an emphasis on critical reading, writing, and research skills needed for success in the M.A. TESOL program.

Ling 560 Research Design for Applied Linguistics (2)
Presents the major designs for research in applied linguistics. Introduces basic quantitative and qualitative methodological concepts. Provides a basis to critically read research literature in TESOL and applied linguistics. Students write a preliminary review of the literature and research question(s) for a research proposal.
Prerequisite: admission to the M.A. TESOL program and at least 16 graduate credits in applied linguistics including Ling 559.

Ling 561 Research Methodology for Applied Linguistics (2)
Second course in a two-course sequence required for M.A. TESOL students, focusing on data collection and analysis. Builds upon introduction to methods in Ling 560. Students work with data, using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Students write a preliminary draft of the methods section for their M.A. thesis proposal.
Prerequisite: Ling 560 (no concurrent enrollment allowed).

*Ling 565 Administration of ESL/EFL Programs (4)
Analyzes models of intensive and non-intensive programs in terms of goals, students, levels, staff, schedules, materials and approaches based on resources and facilities available. Discusses theoretical, financial and pedagogical issues in designing and maintaining a successful program.
Prerequisite: Ling 390; 477.