General Catalog 2001-2002
Posted April 9, 2001

Department Office: 2300 Languages and Communication Building, 581-8047 

Mailing Address: 255 S. Central Campus Dr., Rm. 2328, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0492 

Web Address: www.hum.utah.edu/linguistics

E-mail: linguistics@mail.hum.utah.edu

Chair, Marianna Di Paolo, Ph.D. 

Faculty

Professors. M.A. Christison, M. Mixco. 

Associate Professors. M. Di Paolo, D. Iannucci, A. Palmer, S. Sternfeld. 

Assistant Professors. R. Gess, E. Rubin. 

Adjunct  Professors. M. Eid, T. Huckin. 

Adjunct Associate Professors. D. Dodd, J. Watzinger-Tharp. 

Advisers. Undergraduate Adviser, D. Iannucci, 2319 LNCO, 581-6214; Undergraduate Advising Coordinator, Kathryn Weeks, 2327 LNCO, 581-6516; ESL Teaching Minor Adviser, Mary Ann Christison, 2309 LNCO, 581-5565; TESOL Certificate Adviser, Adrian Palmer, 2325 LNCO, 581-3440; Graduate Adviser, Mary Ann Christison, 2309 LNCO, 581-5565. 

In linguistics, one studies languages not to read, write, or speak them but to understand their structure, how they vary and change, how they are used in various contexts, and how they are learned. Linguists believe that an objective study of language will lead to a greater understanding of the human mind. Some of our Linguistics Department faculty have an interest in applying what we learn about language to real-world issues, especially second- and foreign-language teaching. A student begins the study of linguistics by learning how to analyze the phonological, morphological, and syntactic structure of languages. This knowledge serves as the key for understanding language in its social context, language change, the acquisition of languages by children and adults, and other areas of linguistics. 

 Although an undergraduate degree in linguistics does not lead straightforwardly to a job, studying linguistics leads to the development of analytical skills necessary in any highly competitive occupation. Some of our students take course work in teaching English as a second language and work here or abroad. Others go on to graduate school in linguistics. A number of our students enter law school and apply what they have learned about how language works to the legal system. A degree in linguistics can also lead to work in natural language processing by computers. 

English as a Second Language (ESL)

The Linguistics Department offers a variety of ESL credit-bearing courses for speakers of English as a second language at the undergraduate and graduate levels and provides a Conditional Admission Program for students without the required TOEFL score for regular admission. At the undergraduate level, these include ESL writing courses which satisfy the University of Utah writing requirements and foreign language requirements, and a course in intercultural communication which satisfies the diversity requirement. We also offer courses in advanced communication skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. For the undergraduate student wishing ESL language and content support in regular University of Utah general education courses, the Linguistics Department offers ESL tutorial courses for introductory courses in the departments of psychology, history, and linguistics. At the graduate level, we provide ESL courses designed to help practicing and prospective international teaching assistants to teach effectively as well as a course in writing for publication in the student's particular field of study. 

Undergraduate Program

Degree. B.A. 

The option to graduate under quarter requirements is restricted to students who have completed at least 25 quarter hours in linguistics by the end of Spring 1998. This option expires in Spring 2003. 

Requirements for the Major

Total Hours: 33 hours 

The department reserves the right to substitute one course for another. 

1. Core Courses 

A. Basic Introduction Courses 

LING 1200 Introduction to the Study of Language (3) 

LING 3010 Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology (3) 

LING 3020 Introduction to Syntax (3) 

B. Theory Courses 

LING 4011 Intermediate Phonology (3) 

LING 4021 Intermediate Syntax (3) 

C. General Variation/Change Requirement 

One course from: 

LING 3130 Introduction to Historical Linguistics (3) 

LING 3420 Varieties of American English (3) 

LING 3460 Language in Society (3) 

LING 3470 Language and Culture (3) 

LING 5205 Language and Gender (3) 

2. Linguistics of a Language 

One course from: 

LING 5200 Structure of a Selected Language* (3) 

LING 5210 Field Methods * (3) 

LING 5220 Linguistic Structure of English (3) 

LING 5221 Topics in English Linguistics' (3) 

LING 5230 Linguistic Structure of German (3) 

LING 5231 Topics in German Linguistics' (3) 

LING 5240 Linguistic Structure of Spanish (3) 

LING 5241 Topics in Spanish Linguistics' (3) 

LING 5250 Linguistic Structure of French (3) 

LING 5251 Topics in French Linguistics' (3) 

LING 5265 Topics in Romance  Linguistics' (3) 

LING 5270 Linguistic Structure of Arabic (3) 

LING 5271 Topics in Arabic Linguistics' (3) 

LING 5280 Structure of Chinese: Syntax (3) 

LING 5281 Structure of Chinese: Phonetics (3) 

LING 5290 Structure of Japanese: Syntax (3) 

*Course may be repeated for credit when topic varies 

3. 5000-Level Electives 

At least two 5000-level courses chosen from the ones listed in (1C) and (2), above, or from those listed below: 

LING 5024 Child Language Acquisition (3) 

LING 5077 Introduction to Discourse Analysis (3) 

LING 5030 Semantics (3) 

LING 5170 Quantitative Analysis of Language (3) 

4. LING 3900 Senior Capstone (3) 

Allied Hours Requirement. 18 credit hours—to be determined in consultation with the undergraduate adviser. 

Residency Requirement. Majors must take 17 credit hours (50 percent of program of study for the major) at the University of Utah. To satisfy a specific requirement for the linguistics major, any credit for courses transferred from another university must be approved by the undergraduate adviser as fully equivalent to a course offered in the Linguistics Department. 

Requirements for the Minor

Total Hours: 18 

The department reserves the right to substitute one course for another. 

Required Courses

LING 1200 Introduction to the Study of Language (3) 

One of the following sequences: 

LING 3010 Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology (3) 

and LING 4011 Intermediate Phonology (3) 

or 

LING 3020 Introduction to Syntax (3) 

and LING 4021 Intermediate Syntax  (3) 

Three additional upper-division courses, which may include one or both of the courses not used to satisfy the sequence requirement above, and which must include at least one 5000-level course. 

Residency Requirement. Linguistics minors must take nine credit hours (50 percent of all credit course work for the minor) at the University of Utah. To satisfy a specific requirement for the linguistics minor, any credit for courses transferred from another university must be approved by the undergraduate adviser as fully equivalent to a course offered in the Linguistics Department. 

TESOL Certificate. The Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate prepares students to teach English to adult learners in the United States or abroad. Students must confer with the Linguistics Department TESOL adviser before being admitted to the certificate program. The following are required courses. Students must complete one of the following: (1) LING/ENGL 1200, Introduction to the Study of Language; (2) LING 6000, Graduate Survey of Linguistics; or (3) LING 3200, Linguistics and Education. Students must complete all of the following: (1) LING/ESL 3500, Introduction to English Grammar; (2) LING/ESL 3510, Grammar and Stylistics for Academic Writing; (3) LING/ESL 3600, Cross-Cultural Communication; (4) LING 3810, Strategies and Techniques for ESL/EFL Beginning Teachers; (5) ENGL/LING 5810/6810, L2 Methodology: Adult; and ENGL/LING 5813/6813, Practicum.  For a listing of prerequisites and additional requirements, please request a TESOL information packet from the Department of Linguistics. 

ESL Teaching Minor, Certification. Please refer to Education in the Colleges section for information on the ESL teaching minor course requirements and state teacher certification. 

Graduate Program

Degree. M.A. For additional information, see the Graduate Information section of this catalog. 

 The option to graduate under quarter requirements is restricted to students who have completed at least 25 quarter hours in linguistics by the end of Spring 1998. This option expires in Spring 2003. 

There are three M.A. tracks: an M.A. in second language acquisition (M.A.L2), an M.A. in bilingual education (M.A.BE), and an M.A. in theoretical lingusitics (M.A.TL). The M.A.L2 is most appropriate for students planning to teach a second language, usually English, to adult learners in the United States or abroad.  The M.A.BE is for students interested in teaching English to minority language schoolchildren in the United States.  The M.A.TL is for students with a primary interest in language structure, variation and change, and use. 

Areas of Specialization.  Please see our Web site for faculty members' areas of specialization. 

Related Graduate Programs. M.A. and Ph.D. emphases in Arabic linguistics are available through Middle East studies; see Middle East Language and Area Studies elsewhere in this section. The M.A.T. degree (foreign-language pedagogy) is available through the Department of Languages and Literature. 

Special Admission Requirements. Three letters of recommendation and GRE scores are required of all applicants. International students must submit scores of at least 600 from the TOEFL. All applicants must also submit a sample of their best academic writing written in English and a statement of purpose and career goals. The application deadline for admission to the M.A. program and for teaching assistantships is March 15 in order to be admitted for the following fall semester. Please request a packet of information which specifies all admission and programmatic requirements (by e-mail: linguistics@mail.hum.utah.edu). 

Special Degree Requirements. Although a B.A. in linguistics is not required for admission, a person with little or no background in linguistics is required to take at leadt one additional course in general/theoretical linguistics at the 5000-level or above in addition to those specified in the core and track requirements for M.A.L2 and M.A.BE.  The M.A.TL requires that students complete the equivalent of LING 1200, 3010/5010, 3020/5020, 4011/6011 and 4021/6020 before beginning core course work. 

Core Requirements for M.A.L2 and M.A.BE: LING 6000, 6170, 6812, 6813, 6818, and 6820 or 6816. 

Second Language Acquisition Track Courses: LING 6233, 6810, and three electives (nine credit hours). 

Bilingual Education Track Courses: LING 5233, 6811, ED ST 6634, ED ST 6632, LING 6041 or 6042. 

Theoretical Track Courses:  LING 6012,6022; four from LING 6030, 6040, 6024, 6221, 6077, 6041, 6210; one set of "structure" and "topics" courses in some language; and two electives.

Students completing the M.A.L2 track may also receive a TESOL Certificate. Students completing the bilingual education track may also receive an ESL teaching minor. Students interested in either the certificate or the minor should see the graduate adviser at the beginning of their graduate studies for details. 

 Graduate students in linguistics are not allowed to retake a course to improve their grades (except if the Graduate Committee requires a student to do so following a review of the student's record). Any grade below B-in any course in a student's program of study and/or a GPA below 3.0 will trigger an automatic review of the student's performance. The performance of all new graduate students will be reviewed by spring semester of their first year of graduate work. As part of the first-year review, all new graduate students are required to take a writing test. Further information about the review process is available from the Linguistics Department office. At the end of formal course work, students must demonstrate, in a written examination, proficiency in their areas of specialization. There is no thesis requirement, but each student must submit a “file paper,” equivalent to a high-quality term paper, usually written for a regular course. 

 Students may attend the summer  Linguistics Institute of the Linguistic Society of America as part of the graduate program. The same is true for TESOL institutes, with approval of graduate adviser. 

Residency Requirements. M.A. students must take 26 credit hours (80% of all credit course work for their program of study) at the University of Utah. To satisfy a specific requirement for the M.A. programs of study, any credit for courses transferred from another university must be approved by the graduate adviser as fully equivalent to a course or courses offered in the Linguistics Department. 

Foreign Language Requirements. Standard proficiency in one foreign language (equivalent to two semesters of a foreign language at the college level) is required for the M.A.BE track, advanced proficiency (equivalent to four semesters of a foreign language at the college level) is required for the M.A.L2, and standard proficiency in a non-European/non-Indo-European language or advanced proficiency in a European/Indo-European language is required for the M.A. Theoretical.. Recent experience as a student in an L2 classroom is also required for the M.A.L2 and M.A.BE tracks. 

Please request a packet of information containing other programmatic requirements. 

Financial Assistance. Teaching assistantships are available in linguistics and ESL. The department also offers several scholarships. Information on scholarships and assistantships is available on the Linguistics Department web site.  The Department of Languages and Literature also considers applications from linguistics graduate students for assistantships in a variety of languages. 

LING Course Descriptions