English: Concentration in Linguistics, M.A.

Program Scope

The M.A. in Linguistics provides students with a solid grounding in the tools of language analysis. The course offerings in contemporary linguistic theory cover a broad spectrum of the components of linguistic structure: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, discourse analysis, cognitive linguistics and sociolinguistics. Students interested in any field involving language analysis — including but not limited to law, education, anthropology, sociology, psychology, computer science, and linguistics — benefit from preparation in examining language data with the rigorous methods of the discipline. Students who plan to teach or translate language gain a valuable background in the structure of English along with a deeper understanding of how grammar works in every language.

Since the program allows considerable choice in coursework beyond a basic set of core requirements, the student — in consultation with an adviser — can plan a program to suit individual interests and career requirements, including pathways that focus on computational and experimental linguistics in addition to cognitive linguistics. Teaching assistant opportunities enable students to apprentice with faculty who teach undergraduate language studies classes in order to gain knowledge, experience and the skills needed to teach linguistics concepts in the classroom.

The breadth of our faculty’s research and teaching provide multiple experiences for learning not offered in other M.A. Linguistics programs. These highlights include:

• The Experimental and Computational Linguistics Ensemble Lab, dedicated to study linguistic phenomena that shed light on the question of grammar architecture and the relation between language and cognition.
• Multiple opportunities for collaborative, hands on research, publication and presentation with faculty.
• Advanced curriculum in both cognitive linguistics, sociophonetics and raciolinguistics, and computational linguistics
• The opportunity to study in the heart of San Francisco, the epicenter of careers in linguistics and computation.
• Cross-disciplinary coursework and research with applied linguists and composition experts.

Additional Specialization

Graduate students may obtain additional specialization by adding one or more certificates to their degree program:

• Certificate in Computational Linguistics
• Certificate in Teaching Composition
• Certificate in Teaching Post-Secondary Reading
• Certificate in Immigrant Literacies
• Certificate in TESOL (undergraduate)
• Certificate in Computational Linguistics

Program Learning Outcomes

1. English M.A. students will critically evaluate scholarship using knowledge of disciplinary history, foundational theories, epistemologies, and scholarly debates to participate in professional communities of Composition, TESOL, and Linguistics.
2. English M.A. students will conduct principled inquiry (critical reflection, observation, and/or formal research) using appropriate methods and tools of analysis to address disciplinary questions and problems of practice.
3. English M.A. students will produce effective written and oral presentations that follow the professional disciplinary standards of Composition, TESOL, and Linguistics.
4. English M.A. students will apply pedagogical knowledge and skills to the teaching of language, literacy, or linguistics.
5. Students in the Linguistics M.A. concentration will demonstrate a solid understanding of the fundamental linguistic subfields of syntax, phonology, morphology, semantics, discourse analysis, and sociolinguistics.
6. Students in the Linguistics M.A. concentration will document the grammar and lexicon of an unfamiliar language (including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.)