Linguistics and TESL Program

College of Humanities

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Coordinator: Juana Mora
Jerome Richfield (JR) 219
(818) 677-3453
www.csun.edu/linguistics

Program Committee:

Fredric Field
English; Catherine Jackson
Communication Disorders and Sciences
Bessie Karras-Lazaris
Intensive English Program; Sharon Klein
English; Rebecca Litke
Communication Studies; Evelyn McClave
English; Janet Oh
Psychology; Sabrina Peck
Elementary Education; Ana Sánchez Muñoz
Chicana/o Studies
Enchao Shi
English;

Adjunct Faculty

Joseph Galasso
Shadi Ganjavi
Gayaneh Hagopian
Cynthia Hagstrom
Terrie Mathis
Christina M. Scholten
Wendy Snyder

Emeritus Faculty

Joanna McKenzie

Programs

Undergraduate

B.A., Linguistics
Minor in Linguistics

Graduate

M.A., Linguistics

Certificate:

TESL Minor and Certificate (See TESL in this Catalog)

The Major

Linguistics studies human language, seeking to define its nature, to establish its relationship to human thought, to discover what distinguishes human language from other forms of communication (human and non-human), to understand how children develop a language and acquire additional ones, to understand the ways in which languages may differ from one another, and to describe how human beings use language, in context, to engage in all the other “human” activities.

The Linguistics Major is presently an upper division Major; there are no lower division required courses. Students are encouraged to complete their lower division GE work and to pursue study in languages other than their native language in preparation for their work in Linguistics. Entering freshmen who are interested in Linguistics should consult with the Coordinator/Advisor.

Careers

The questions that linguistics teaches students to ask about language are related to a wide range of fields and professions, including law, psychology, education, computer science and technology, anthropology, and sociology, to name a few. Students who earn bachelor’s degrees in linguistics may select to prepare for and seek careers in any of these fields, or may pursue advanced degrees in linguistics and related fields.

The TESL Minor and Certificate curriculum and the M.A. in TESL programs prepare students - each at different levels, and with different applications - to teach English to speakers of other languages. See the TESL in this Catalog.

Academic Advising

Advisement is available from the Coordinator during office hours and by appointment.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Undergraduate Program

Graduates of the B.A. in Linguistics will:

Understand what linguists mean by “knowing a human language” by demonstrating knowledge of such core fields as phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.
Understand what is involved in the acquisition and development of language including its biological and social foundations.
Demonstrate a familiarity with the study of language in context in such fields as sociolinguistics, pragmatics, and discourse analysis.
Demonstrate an ability to read, evaluate, and write about linguistic topics.
Understand the connections between linguistic study and its practical applications.
Recognize and understand how sociocultural diversity manifests itself in language.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Graduate Program

Graduates of the M.A. in Linguistics will:

Demonstrate a solid knowledge in core of linguistic theory.
Demonstrate understanding of how linguistics applies to a range of professional settings and to general issues at large.
Demonstrate understanding of how such fundamental knowledge in core disciplines of linguistics can be applied to a range of issues such as teaching language.
Demonstrate the ability to read, analyze and critically evaluate linguistic research and demonstrate a high level of critical thinking and problem solving.
Demonstrate the ability to conduct original research, analyze data, and make appropriate conclusions

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree

1. Required Courses (24 Units)

Select one of the following Introductory Linguistics courses (3 units)

ANTH 310 Anthropological Linguistics (3)*
ENGL 301 Language and Linguistics (3)
COMS 420 Language and Symbolic Processes (3)

*Students selecting ANTH 310 as their introductory course may apply this selection to the GE Comparative Cultural Studies requirement. They may do the same with one course in Foreign Language Study, for a total of 6 units, shared between the Major and GE.

Core courses in Linguistics (15 units)

LING 402 Phonetics and Phonology (3)
LING 404 Morphology and Syntax (3)
LING 408 Semantics and Pragmatics (3)
LING 417 Language Development and Acquisition (3)
LING 441 Sociolinguistics (3)

Studies in a Foreign Language (6 units)

Students should consult with the Linguistics Coordinator/Advisor concerning the completion of this requirement.

Options (A. Elective Option, B. Minor Option)

A. The Elective Track (15-30 Units)

In consultation with the Coordinator/Advisor, a student will select coursework from the following set. Courses in other Departments or Programs may have prerequisites. These are marked with the number “1.” Students should seek advising from the appropriate advisor in that Department as they select courses.

Approved Elective Courses (15 Units)

ANTH 360 Immigration and Ethnicity (3)
ANTH 476D Field Study: Linguistics (3)
ANTH 490D Seminar in Anthropology: Linguistics 1 (3)
CHS 433 Language Acquisition of the Chicano and ESL Speakers (3)
CHS 482 Language of the Barrio (3)
CD 340 Phonetics (3)
CD 442 Speech Science (3)
CD 462 Language Disorders 1 (3)
COMP 232 Concepts of Programming Languages 1 (3)
COMP 310 Automata, Languages, and Computation 1 (3)
COMP 332 Programming Language Semantics 1 (3)
COMS 350 Nonverbal Communication (3)
COMS 356 Intercultural Communication (3)
COMS 450 Communication Research Methodology (3)
DEAF 484 Structure of the American Sign Language 1 (3)
DEAF 485 Issues in American Sign Language 1 (3)
ENGL 400 History of the English Language (3)
ENGL 405 Language Differences and Language Change (3)
FREN 389 French Phonetics 1 (3)
FREN 400 Structure of the French Language 1 (3)
GERM 400 Structure of the German Language 1 (3)
ITAL 305 Structure of the Italian Language 1 (3)
LING 407 Language Varieties (3)
LING 427 Languages in Contact (3)
LING 430 Linguistic Introduction to Cognitive Science (3)
PAS 395 Bilingualism in the African-American Community (3)
PHIL 330 Philosophy of Science (3)
PHIL 331 Symbolic Logic II (3)
PHIL 445 Philosophy of Language 1 (3)
PHIL 495 Advanced Philosophy of Sciences (3)
PSY 320 Statistical Methods in Psychological Research 1 (4)
PSY 462 The Development of Language and Thought in the Young Child (3)
SOC 364 Social Statistics 1 (4)
SPAN 395 Spanish Phonetics 1 (3)
SPAN 400 Structure of the Spanish Language (3)
SPAN 401 Language and Culture 1 (3)
SPAN 497 Comparative Structure of Spanish and English 1 (3)

B. The Minor Option (18-30 Units)

In consultation with the Coordinator/Advisor, and with the selected Department or Program, a student may complement the Linguistics Core with one of the following minors or concentrations:

Approved Minors and Concentrations:

American Indian Studies, Anthropology, Armenian Studies, Asian American Studies, Central American Studies, Chicano/a Studies, Classics, Communication Disorders and Sciences, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Deaf Studies, English, Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Jewish Studies, Pan African Studies, Philosophy , Psychology, Russian, Sociology, Spanish

Total Units in the Major: 39-54
General Education: 48
Additional Units 18-33
Total Units Required for a B.A. Degree 120

Minor in Linguistics

Three of the twenty-one units for the Minor are shared between the Minor and GE.

1. Introduction to Linguistics

Select one of the following courses:

ANTH 310 Anthropological Linguistics (3)*
ENGL 301 Language and Linguistics (3)
COMS 420 Language and Symbolic Processes (3)

2. Required Courses (15 Units)

LING 402 Phonetics and Phonology (3)
LING 404 Morphology and Syntax (3)
LING 408 Semantics and Pragmatics (3)
LING 417 Language Development and Acquisition (3)
LING 441 Sociolinguistics (3)

3. Electives (3 Units)

Select one course in consultation with the Coordinator/Advisor, from those listed in the Elective Track of the Major.

Total Units Required in the Minor 21

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree

All candidates completing the program leading to an M.A. in Linguistics at CSUN will have a fundamental understanding of the core areas in linguistics at an advanced level. They may select to focus on preparing to teach English to speakers of other languages, and pursue the prescribed courses that are part of the TESL Track of the M.A. program. Or, in consultation with the Coordinator/Advisor, candidates may build on the core with their own program, in the General Track, in order to pursue more individual goals.

A. Admission Requirements

Students should consult with the Graduate Programs section of this Catalog for the University requirements.

B. Conditionally Classified Status:

Candidates with undergraduate majors other than Linguistics, who have a minimum GPA of 2.85 in the last 60 units of their BA work and who otherwise satisfy the University requirements for Graduate Admission, may be admitted to the Linguistics Graduate Program as Conditionally Classified candidates. Students who have GPA’s below 3.0 will be required to take the GRE and achieve at least one score at the 50th percentile or higher; a satisfactory GRE score must be submitted within 18 months of admission. International visa students must have a minimum TOEFL score of 563 (paper and pencil version) or 223 (CBT) or 85 (iBT).

While enrolled as a Conditionally Classified Student, candidates may demonstrate prerequisite competence in linguistics by submitting a record of previous coursework by evaluation by the Coordinator/Advisor, or by completing prerequisite coursework equivalent to the 18-unit core of the BA Major; see above.

C. For Classified Status:

Candidates may be admitted to the Linguistics/TESL Graduate Program with Classified status if they have 18 or more units in BA-level linguistics courses equivalent to the CSUN core major, all units earned with a grade of “B” or higher. Candidates may move from Conditionally Classified Status to Classified Status by earning a grade of “B” or higher in all prerequisites courses stipulated at the time of their acceptance into the program. Students who earn a grade below “B” in any prerequisites course, including the grade of “B-,” may repeat up to two such courses for grade improvement. This includes students who have completed their BA majors in linguistics at CSUN. Students who earn a grade below B-“ in a single 500 or 600-level course may repeat that one course for grade improvement. However, a student may not repeat more than a total of TWO courses for grade improvement once accepted as a conditionally classified graduate student. Students who earn more than one grade below B- in 500 or 600-level courses will be disqualified from the program. Students will be disqualified from the program at the third recording of a grade below “B” for prerequisites courses and/or below “B-“ for 500 or 600-level courses. This rule will apply even if a student has already repeated courses for grade improvement. Additionally, Classified status requires (a) successful completion of UDWPE or CSU equivalent, (b) completion of a foreign language requirement (see below), and (c) submission of a satisfactory GRE score where required. All M.A. candidates must apply for Classified Status before they complete more than 12 units of 500 or 600-level coursework.

D. Special Requirements

Foreign Language Requirements: M.A. candidates in Linguistics/ TESL are required to demonstrate proficiency in a non-native language. Native speakers of English may satisfy this requirement in one of three ways: (1) they may enroll for two semesters of coursework in a non-Romance language or three semesters of coursework in a Romance language AFTER initial acceptance into the program; (2) they may pass a departmental examination set by the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures (MCLL); or (3) they may submit a transcript showing that they hold a BA with a major in a foreign language completed within the previous 5 years. Students who are non-native speakers of English are exempt from this requirement. Students who wish to demonstrate proficiency in ASL to satisfy this requirement should consult the Coordinator/Advisor. Students who choose to satisfy this requirement using coursework must earn grades of “B” or higher in each foreign language course.

Culminating Requirements: M.A. candidates in Linguistics/TESL may select to complete their degrees by taking a Comprehensive Exam or writing a Thesis. Students selecting the Comprehensive Exam will enroll in LING 697 in the semester during which they plan to take the examination. Candidates selecting the Thesis Option must meet certain eligibility requirements as detailed in a Thesis brochure obtainable from the Coordinator/Advisor. Students in the Thesis option may enroll in 3-6 units of LING 698C with the permission of and in consultation with the Coordinator/Advisor.

E. Requirements for the M.A. Degree

1. Linguistics Core (9 Units)

All M.A. candidates are required to complete the following courses:

LING 501 Seminar in Phonology (3)
ENGL 610 Seminar in Syntax (3)
LING 503 Seminar in Cognitive Linguistics (3) or LING 505 Seminar in Discourse Analysis (3)

2. Select either the General Option or TESL Option:

A. General Option (21 Units):

In consultation with the Coordinator/Advisor, candidates will select either 21 units of coursework and LING 697, the Comprehensive Examination option, or will select 18 units of coursework and 6 units of Thesis Option. All coursework must be from the 400-level and above, and at least 12 elective units must be selected from 500 and 600-level courses. Coursework may include LING courses or courses in other departments, in consultation with teaching faculty and with the Coordinator/ Advisor. Candidates pursuing the General Track will consult with the Coordinator/Advisor, and complete an Approved Program Form, reflecting the courses selected.

B. TESL Option (21 Units)

TESL Track candidates must complete the following courses, and they will select from either the Comprehensive Exam and two elective courses (6 units), or the preparation of a Thesis. Candidates will also complete an Approved Program Form with the Coordinator/Advisor.

LING 502 Seminar in Second Language Acquisition (3)
LING 520 Issues in ESL Reading and Writing (3)
LING 521 Issues in ESL Listening and Speaking (3)
LING 525 English Structures for ESL/EFL teaching (3)
EED 570 ESL Instruction in Bilingual and Multilingual Classrooms (3)
or SED 525 ESLMethods of Teaching English as a Second Language (3)
or ED 587 ESL Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language to adults (3)

Electives and Comprehensive Exam or Thesis (6)

Course List

LING 402. Phonetics and Phonology (3): Preparatory: ANTH 310, ENGL 301 or COMS 420. Study of the physical and acoustical properties of sound in a variety of natural languages; phonological analysis and rule formation in phonological systems.
LING 404. Morphology and Syntax (3): Preparatory: ANTH 310, ENGL 301 or COMS 420. Analysis of morphological and syntactic structures in a variety of natural languages; an examination of major grammatical theories.
LING 407. Language Varieties (3): Preparatory: ANTH 310, ENGL 301 or COMS 420. Introduction to the study of language variation. Theoretical aspects of phonological, syntactic, and semantic variation will be considered in their geographical and social context.
LING 408. Semantics and Pragmatics (3): Preparatory: ANTH 310, ENGL 301 or COMS 420. Linguistic study of meaning and context of discourse, and the relationship of such study to grammar.
LING 417. Language Development and Acquisition (3): Preparatory: Upper Division standing, and an introduction to the study of language. Required for both ITEP and Linguistics/TESL students, and addresses topics linked to language arts and (T)ESL methods courses for students preparing to teach. Introduces students to the study of language development and acquisition, including such topics as approaches to the development of children’s grammars, the development of communicative competence, definitions of bi- and multi-lingualism, relationships between language development and learning to read, issues particular to the multilingual nature of California, and issues related to exceptional language development.
LING 427. Languages in Contact (3): Preparatory: ANTH 310, ENGL 301 or COMS 420. Identification and explanation of contrasts between languages including but not limited to Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Navaho, Punjabi, Swahili, and/or Vietnamese with English. Using current models of linguistic description, students explore the semantic, syntactic, lexical and phonological differences among languages spoken by prospective ESL populations. Such contrastive studies provide an understanding of those aspects of the languages which differ widely from English.
LING 430. A Linguistic Introduction toCognitive Science (3): Preparatory: An introduction to linguistics.Survey of the fields comprising Cognitive Science: linguistics, neurology, philosophy, and psychology. Key issues addressed include the nature of symbolic representation, the ways in which we perceive and understand “input,” the nature of “thinking,” and the role of computational models in understanding aspects of human cognition and language.
LING 441. Sociolinguistics (3): Preparatory: ANTH 310, ENGL 301 or COMS 420.Language in society. Examines linguistic behavior patterns as determined by such factors as age, gender, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, region, and social context.
LING 496A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses (1-3): Preparatory: Consent of instructor and Linguistics Program Coordinator.(Experimental courses in linguistics offered in other departments are subject to approval by the Linguistics Program Coordinator)
LING 499. Independent Study (1-3): Preparatory: Consent of instructor and Linguistics Program Coordinator.

Graduate

LING 501. Seminar in Phonology (3): Prerequisites: LING 402 or equivalent.Current issues in phonological theory.
LING 502. Seminar in Research on Second Language Acquisition (3): Prerequisites: LING 402, 404, or ENGL 403, or LING 417, or CHS 433. Critical historical examination of research on 2nd-language acquisition. Study of analytical approaches such as contrastive analysis, error analysis, performance analysis, and discourse analysis, showing how different approaches reflect changing conceptions of language and the nature of language learners.
LING 503. Seminar in Cognitive Linguistics (3): Prerequisite: An introduction to linguistics and LING 402, 404, 405, 408, and 441. Examination of recent theoretical developments in linguistics from the general perspective of cognitive science. Focus on 3 major areas: cognitive grammar, semantics and pragmatic dimensions of linguistic categorization; the interface of cognition, experience, and grammar in natural discourse.
LING 504. Seminar in Sociolinguistics of American Sign Language (3): Prerequisites: ANTH 310, or ENGL 301 or COMS 420, LING 441, SPED 161.Examination of sociolinguistic variables in American Sign Language.
LING 505. Seminar in Discourse Analysis (3): Prerequisites: LING 407, 408, or 441.Seminar in the theoretical and methodological aspects of Discourse Analysis in a linguistic perspective.
LING 520. Issues in ESL Reading and Writing (3): Preparatory or Recommended Corequisite: LING 502. Provides students with a foundation for understanding the processes of reading and writing – as well as the relationships between them – as they are experienced by adult 2nd language learners. Topics in the area of reading include skills and strategies that contribute to the 2nd language learner’s ability to read and to comprehend a variety of texts, and curricular design. Topics in writing include aspects of the composing process specific to 2nd language students, the design of curriculum and assignments, and the effects of various types of responses to student writing.
LING 521. Issues in Esl Listening and Speaking (3): Preparatory or Recommended Corequisite: LING 502.Provides students with a foundation for understanding the processes of listening and speaking as these are experienced by adult 2nd language learners. While the course focuses on the academic environment, it includes an examination of skills necessary for learners to comprehend a variety of speakers in a range of spoken discourse types, covering both transactional and interactional situations. Also, factors that contribute to effective participation in conversations, including fluency and pronunciation and cultural and universal rules of discourse, bringing the areas of speaking and listening together in the context of curricular design.
LING 525. English Structures for ESL/EFL Teaching (3): Prerequisites: ENGL 301 or ANTH 310 or COMS 420, and LING 404.Provides a systematic description of the structures and usages of English grammar from the perspective of someone learning English as an additional language. Students focus on ways that such material may most effectively be presented to non-native speakers of English.
LING 599A,B,C. Independent Study (1,2,3): Consent of instructor and Linguistics Program Coordinator.
LING 696A,B,C. Directed Graduate Research (1,2,3): Consent of Linguistics Program Coordinator required.
LING 697. Directed Comprehensive Studies (3): Consent of Linguistics Program Coordinator required. Enrollment required in the semester that the Comprehensive Examination is taken.
LING 698A,B,C. Thesis (1,2,3): Consent of Linguistics Program Coordinator required.Maximum of six units of 696 and 698 allowed in program.
LING 699. Independent Study (1-3): Prerequisite: Classified graduate status required; Consent of instructor and Linguistics Program Coordinator.Maximum of six units of 599 and 699 allowed in a student’s program.