Academic Programs in Linguistics

The Department of Linguistics offers instruction in linguistics leading to a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Arts in one of two options (general linguistics and applied linguistics) and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Linguistics.

The primary aim of linguistics as a science is to study the use and organization of human language in coding and communicating knowledge. The undergraduate program offers instruction in the nature of human language, the structural variety of individual languages, and the methodology of conducting a linguistic investigation. Although linguists may study specific details of many languages, they do so to gain insight into the properties and processes common to all languages. Such common features may in turn reflect universals of human cognitive, cultural, and social organization.

Language occupies a central position in the human universe, so much so that it is commonly cited as a major criterion for defining humankind. Language and the problems of understanding its nature and use represent critical components of any number of academic and professional fields. It is central to psychology and cognitive science for its use in the coding and processing of information. It is central to philosophy for its role in human reasoning. It is central to computer science and artificial intelligence for such problems as the design of human-computer interfaces, expert systems and tutoring systems, automatic translation, and speech synthesis. It is central to anthropology and sociology as a repository of one's cultural worldview and as a mark of social identity.

Undergraduate Studies

The Department offers both a major and a minor in Linguistics. We also offer a certificate program in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching (SLAT). There are a number of courses that satisfy both group and multicultural requirements. There are honors options and research opportunities for undergraduates as well. Follow the link above or ask an undergraduate advisor for more detailed information.

Graduate Studies

The Department offers both the M.A. and Ph.D. in Linguistics with research emphases in linguistic description, language and cognition, and second language studies. Follow the link above for more detailed information on opportunities for graduate students.

The Hanyang-Oregon Joint Program in TESOL

This program is a collaborative effort between Hanyang University in Korea and the University of Oregon to offer certificate work at either the undergraduate or graduate level for prospective language teaching professionals in the Korean and greater Asian academic community. Undergraduate participants are prepared to enter professional service on completion of the program. Graduate participants are in addition prepared to enter graduate degree programs in second language acquisition or TESOL. Follow the above link for details.

Language Teaching MA Specialization

This is a new program, beginning fall term, 2004, offering an MA degree for language teachers with an emphasis on teaching English as a foreign language. This program is for prospective language teaching professionals in countries where English, or participants' language of focus, is not a native or second language. Courses are offered in linguistics, language teaching and testing, education, and the use of language teaching technology. Follow the above link for details.

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