Linguistics, M.A.

Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

The following goals and learning outcomes have been established for students pursuing the MA degree in Linguistics.

Develop a rigorous concept of language in all its aspects, as well as an interdisciplinary sensibility demonstrating an advanced understanding of connections among the social sciences and the humanities.

• Develop an advanced interdisciplinary interpretive framework for studying language in ways that will enable students to solve practical and theoretical problems.
• Develop an advanced understanding of the nature of language structure, language use, language acquisition, and language change.
• Have an advanced knowledge of the history of the field of Linguistics—its theories, methods, and intellectual justifications.
• Develop an advanced understanding of the theoretical and methodological approaches used in Linguistics and interdisciplinary scholarship.

Gain a thorough understanding of linguistic diversity and commonalities by examining both, the internal variation in a given language, particularly in English, as well as cross-linguistic variation

• Identify a variety of examples of linguistic diversity and commonality in American English as well as in other languages, demonstrating an advanced understanding of the similarities, differences, and relationships among the multitude of language varieties.
• Explain how differences in language use among different language communities—including race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality—are culturally constructed and vary according to historical, regional, and social contexts.
• Understand the shared genetic basis of all languages regardless of the socio-political status of their speakers.
• Articulate a critical awareness of the conceptual approaches to the study of linguistic diversity and universals.

Demonstrate advanced research, writing, and expressive skills to see connections among complex materials, and to clearly communicate an understanding of their underlying meanings.

• Design and carry out original research projects in Linguistics.
• Discover primary and secondary sources (hard copy as well as digital) using the library's resources, including interlibrary loan.
• Analyze and synthesize material from primary and secondary sources in order to create a coherent argument based on evidence.
• Develop an original thesis and support that thesis through the thoughtful use of a variety of properly cited sources.
• Communicate research findings through clear, well-organized written and oral presentations.
• Develop advanced critical thinking, writing, and interpretive skills.
• Develop the ability to adhere to scholarly conventions in research, writing and documentation.