MA in Linguistics
Introduction and General Information
This guide is intended to provide graduate students of the Â鶹¹ÙÍø, Fairbanks
(UAF) with an understanding of the structure of the existing Master of Arts Program
in Applied Linguistics. We intend it to assist students in completing their work as
expeditiously and meaningfully as possible, while still complying with general UAF
regulations. Students are to be guided by the rules in existence at the time they
enter the MA. When changes in program rules or requirements occur, the student has
the option of completing the program under the new set of rules rather than remaining
with the rules of entry. In this case, the student must obtain approval from 1) each
member of the Advisory Committee, 2) the Program chair, 3) the Dean of the college
of Liberal Arts. These approvals must be recorded with the Dean of the Graduate School.
Some of the information in this guide replicates information for graduate students
available in the most current General Catalog of the Â鶹¹ÙÍø Fairbanks,
which sets forth the official Board of Regents' Policies and University Regulations
on admission procedures, completion of requirements, etc. Additional and specific
information relevant to the MA Program in Applied Linguistics is provided in this
manual.
Students themselves are ultimately responsible for ensuring that they meet the requirements
for their degree as set forth in this Graduate Student Manual, that the completion
of each formal requirement is properly recorded, and that their departmental and Graduate
School files are complete and up-to-date. Program faculty are ready to assist whenever
the student feels that there is some uncertainty or problem.
Introduction to the M.A. in Applied Linguistics
The UAF MA Program in Applied Linguistics provides students with training in applied linguistics, broadly defined to include second language teaching, curriculum and materials development, documentary linguistics, and language policy and planning. The Linguistics Program is highly interdisciplinary in nature, drawing on faculty expertise in the Alaska Native Language Program, the Department of Anthropology, the Department of English, the School of Education, and the Department of Foreign Languages. Students in the Linguistics Program work closely with faculty engaged in primary research to develop linguistic applications relevant to Alaska and beyond.
Degrees Offered
Graduate students in applied linguistics may pursue a general program or develop a concentration in either language documentation or second language acquisition and teacher education. Students are expected either to have or to develop proficiency in at least one language other than English, as demonstrated by a proficiency exam or a comparable measure determined by the student's graduate committee. Students pursuing certification in Second Language Acquisition and Teacher Education must demonstrate proficiency in the language they intend to teach.
Second Language Acquisition and Teacher Education is designed for students interested in teaching English as a second language, a foreign or Alaska Native language. It is designed to provide theoretical and practical foundations in second language acquisition, language teaching, materials development and language assessment.
Course Descriptions
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Review of quantitative and qualitative research paradigms, data gathering techniques
and analytical tools (questionnaires, surveys, observations, testing) used in the
study of applied linguistics. Topics will include ethical issues in human subjects
research, how to conduct a literature review, how to conduct classroom-based research.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Provides experience in working with various languages to determine systematic principles
of transcribing and organizing sounds; isolating morphemes; categorizing words into
semantic categories; and understanding narrative and other rhetorical structures.
For students whose specialty is other than linguistics who could benefit from a graduate-level
introduction to linguistic methods. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Central issues in second language acquisition research. Includes a critical review
of SLA theories and research. Prerequisites: LING F101 or LING F601; graduate standing;
or permission of instructor. (3+0)
3 Credits
Scientific approach to the study of human speech sounds and the mechanism of their
production (phonetics), as well as the exploration of the fundamental concepts of
the sound systems of languages (phonology) and theories which allow for the analysis
of real language data. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
The study of how meaning is encoded in words in languages of the world. Morphological
and morphophonemic processes, lexical categories, derivation and inflection, productivity,
tense, aspect, mode, case, concord, valence changes, morphological typologies. Similarities
and differences among languages in the grammatical devices used to signal relations
between nouns and verbs, negation, comparison, attribution. Prerequisites: LING F101
or LING F601; graduate standing; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Theory and practice of teaching a second language, including methodological approaches,
second language acquisition theory, materials, and testing. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Exploration/discussion of theoretical perspectives in Second Language curriculum and
materials development. Emphasis on the interconnectivity of materials, syllabus, curriculum
and learning. As a result of this course, students will be able to choose, adapt and
construct a variety of language teaching materials and understand the ramifications
of syllabus and curriculum design. Recommended: LING F601. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Consideration of minority languages, including Alaska Native Languages, in light of
their histories, current status, and factors affecting future maintenance. Stacked
with LING F450. (3+0)
3 Credits
In-depth investigation of linguistic problems in selected languages. Includes phonological,
morphological, syntactic and semantic issues. Students will produce a grammatical
sketch of a chosen language. Prerequisites: LING F318; LING F320; LING F601; or relevant
course work. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Student works as an apprentice to a language teacher or a linguist doing fieldwork.
Maintain a log and a portfolio of work. If teaching, goal would be to develop appropriate
lesson plans and do mentored teaching. If doing fieldwork, goal would be to develop
appropriate materials for teaching. Prerequisites: LING F603; LING F604; ANTH F632
or LING F610. (3+0)