Linguistics Program

Introduction
Degree Descriptions

Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
Programs and Courses Offered

Program Coordinator

Franz Mueller

Program Office/Website

University Hall 323
657-278-3163
english.fullerton.edu

Faculty

Juan Carlos Gallego (Modern Languages), Angela Della Volpe (English), Reyes Fidalgo (Modern Languages), Franz Mueller (English), James Santucci (Comparative Religion), Patricia Schneider-Zioga (English), Kenneth Van Bik (English), Kazuha Watanabe (Modern Languages)

Introduction

Linguistics is the study of language. It resists simple classification into one of the traditional categories of academic disciplines. As one of the humanities, linguistics is concerned with the historical development of a particular language or language family. As a social science, linguistics is related to anthropology in describing language as part of culture; it may even be considered a natural science, related to the physical science of acoustics and the biological sciences of anatomy and physiology. As an applied science, linguistics has found many applications in fields as far apart as language pedagogy, speech therapy and computer programming. Finally, linguistics may be considered a formal science in its own right, related to mathematics and logic.

The interdisciplinary aspects of linguistic study are reflected in the organization of the program, which offers a core of general linguistics courses and draws upon linguistically related courses in other departments.

Graduates use the major in linguistics for a liberal arts base in language-related fields. With advanced work, they enter teaching, language research, translation and linguistic field work, as well as such professional fields as law or teaching English as a second language.

Degree Descriptions

The Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics is designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of how language works. Specifically, the program: develops knowledge of the structure of language; how children and adults learn language; how language is used in different types of discourse and texts; and how languages change over time. Through their studies, students come to appreciate what all languages share in common and in what ways they differ from each other. Because studying linguistics develops essential skills that have broad applications, the major provides excellent preparation for careers in fields, such as teaching, publishing, translating and for advanced studies in humanities and law.

The Master of Arts in Linguistics is designed to provide students with in-depth understanding of how language works. Specifically, the program: develops knowledge of the structure of language; how children and adults learn language; how language is used in different types of discourse and texts; and how languages change over time. Through their studies, students come to appreciate what all languages share in common and in what ways they differ from each other. Because studying linguistics develops essential skills that have broad applications, the major provides excellent preparation for careers in fields such as teaching, publishing, translating and for advanced studies in humanities and law.

Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Programs and Courses Offered

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Linguistics, B.A.

Master of Arts

Non-Degree

Linguistics Minor

Courses

Linguistics

Courses are designated as LING in the class schedule.