Course Descriptions
View Fall 2008-09 Course Offerings / Class Schedules here.
S511 - Second Language Syntax (3 cr.)
Examination of form and acquisition of nonnative syntax. Consideration of whether nonnative grammars are “fundamentally different” than native grammars, role of the learner’s native language, initial state of nonnative syntax, and subsequent development. Comparison of child native acquisition, and adult native acquisition.
S512 - Second Language Phonology (3 cr.)
This course will introduce students to fundamental ideas and research necessary to understand the phonological systems
of speakers of more than one language. The course will cover the basic types of phenomena which are the objects of second
language phonological research, the formal models which form the basis of current research models, and the prevalent current
models themselves.
S531 - Child Second Language Development (3 cr.)
Examines issues in child second language (L2) acquisition, including the critical period hypothesis, universal
grammar, and role of the first language (L1). Child L2 acquisition is contrasted with L1 acquisition, adult L2
acquisition, and simultaneous bilingual acquisition.
S532 - Models of Second Language Acquisition (3 cr.)
Introduces students to second language acquisition research. Critically examines major hypotheses about the ways in which second languages develop. Discussions will included a range of languages. Models include a variety of approaches: corpora-based, functionalist, generative, processing-based, socio-cultural, and universals of language.
S533 - Second Language Acquisition Research Design (3 cr.)
P: S532, Models of Second Language Acquisition, or permission of the instructor.
Examines a variety of research designs, elicitation tasks, and
experimental formats in second language acquisition research appropriate
to studies of production, processing, perception, structure, and
pragmatics. Students will gain experience in designing and carrying out
studies.
S536 - Research in Second Language Pedagogical Contexts (3 cr.)
Surveys current issues and research areas in adult second language pedagogy. Considers social, cultural,
political and linguistic aspects of language teaching and learning; emphasizes the substantive topics that are
addressed; the range of institutional, national, and educational contexts of research; and the theoretical lenses
that frame the research.
S600 - Topics in Second Language Studies (3 cr.)
May vary with topic. Intensive study and analysis of selected issues and problems in
Second Language Studies. Topics in this course are of particular interest to the second-language practitioner. May be taken more than once with different topics.
S605 - Second Language Processing (3 cr.)
Investigates how second language users assign representations to utterances of the target language.
Surveys research on the human sentence processing mechanism, its relation to acquisition of grammars, and
processing issues as they impact L2 acquisition. Students will become familiar with theoretical issues,
empirical studies, and various research methodologies.
S622 - World Englishes (3 cr.)
Examines both standard and non-standard varieties of English in
countries where English is spoken as a first language, as an official
language, and as an influential foreign language. Selected studies of
sociolinguistic variables, language change, code-switching, and
universal grammar will inform discussion of such variation as found in
Afro-American English, Indian English, British dialects, and
English-based creoles.
S632 - Current Research in Second-Language Acquisition (3 cr.)
P:
S532. This course addresses issues in recent research in second-language acquisition. Examines selected cases illustrating the relation of second-language acquisition studies to linguistic theory. Emphasis on the collection and analysis of acquisition data.
S640 - Discourse Analysis (3 cr.)
Surveys theories of discourse analysis including speech acts, conversational maxims, conversation analysis, ethno-methodology, text analysis, and critical discourse analysis. Applications of those theories to areas of special interest to applied linguistics including native speaker-nonnative speaking interaction, nonnative speaker conversation, classroom discourse, and analysis of language in professional settings.
S650 - Design and Development of Language Assessment (3 cr.)
P: T550 or the equivalent. To provide students with advanced conceptual
structures such as the assessment-use-argument (AUA) framework to guide
design, development, and use of particular language assessment
instruments. Development and design of assessment instruments will serve
as demonstrations of students' control of course material and as
preparation for on-the-job development of assessments.
S660 - Contrastive Discourse (3 cr.)
P: S532 or consent of the instructor. Considers cross-cultural text organization from the native and nonnative reader’s and writer’s viewpoints. Various aspects of text are emphasized, including coherence and cohesion, and formal and cultural schemata in genres such as expository writing, letters, news articles, and narratives.
S670 - Typology (3 cr.)
Historical review of typologies. Specific languages controlled by students will be typologized in different ways.
This course is equal to L670, offered through the Department of Linguistics.
S690 - Independent Readings in Second Language Studies (1-4 cr.)
Directed readings in research topics for second language studies.
S700 - Seminar in Applied Linguistics (3 cr.)
This seminar will deal with major issues in applied linguistics and
second language studies research and theory. The specific title
will be announced well in advance of each semester. Course may be
retaken for up to 12 credit hours.
S711 - Seminar in Second Language Acquisition (3 cr.)
Selected problems and issues in second language acquisition.
Completion of SLS core or permission of the instructor is required.
S800 - Dissertation Research in Second Language Studies (1-12 cr.)
Dissertation research. Arranged. Permission of instructor willing to supervise research is required.
T500 - Topics in TESOL and Applied Linguistics (3 cr.)
Selected topics, issues, and problems in TESOL and Applied Linguistics. Topics in this course are of particular interest to the second-language practitioner. May be taken more than once with different topics.
T501 - Academic English for International Graduate Students (2-3 cr.)
Designed to improve spoken or written skills for graduate school. Sections on academic writing (research papers,
references, reviews, and critical syntheses) and academic speaking (presentations, discussions, and group work) address
a range of academic writing and speaking styles. May be taken more than once if topic is different. Credit hours,
though counting toward full-time student status, do not count toward the completion of a graduate degree.
T510 - Modern English Grammar (3 cr.)
An examination of the principal features of the grammar of English. The course draws upon traditional, structural, functional, and transformational accounts of the structure of English, with an emphasis on the pedagogical application of these accounts in the teaching of English as a second language.
T514 - English Phonology for Language Learning and Teaching (3 cr.)
Introduction to phonology as it applies to the learning and teaching of second languages. Does not satisfy the phonology requirement for the Ph.D. in linguistics.
T522 - Survey of Applied Linguistics (3 cr.)
P: L503 or equivalent. Intensive readings on selected topics relevant to the acquisition of second languages, sociolinguistics, bilingualism, testing, and research directions. Readings will, for the most part, be current and subject to change as the course is offered.
T534 - Methods of Teaching ESL/EFL to Adults (3 cr.)
Analyzes and critiques approaches and methods in teaching ESL/EFL to adults, including research and experimental perspectives on practice and theory. Surveys traditional and innovative approaches in language teaching, analyzes language classroom interaction, and sets language teaching in cultural and sociopolitical context. To be taken concurrently with T535 TESOL Practicum.
T535 - TESOL Practicum (3 cr.)
Under supervision, students teach English as a second language to adult learners. The course also provides experience in testing, placement, and materials preparation. Classroom lectures focus on issues related to the art and profession of language teaching. To be taken concurrently with L534 Linguistic Resources and T534, Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESOL).
T538 - Second Language Writing (3 cr.)
P: L503 and
S532 or their equivalents. Examines the relationship of second-language writing to composition theory, writing research, second-language acquisitions, and second-language teaching. Topics include theories of second-language composition, second-language writing processes, reading as input for writing, measurement of proficiency, and individual variation.
T539 - Pragmatics and Second-Language Learning (3 cr.)
This course familiarizes students with principles and issues in pragmatics and cross-cultural pragmatics. Students will learn appropriate data collection techniques and will collect primary data, learn to analyze spoken and written data, and discuss the application of pragmatics to language learning and teaching, cross-cultural research, and international communication.
T550 - Language Testing (3 cr.)
P: L503 or equivalent. Consideration of theory of assessing competence in second languages. Preparation and administration of various language testing instruments. Primary emphasis on English as a second language.
T556- Language Learning Technology (3 cr.)
Examines the theories of language learning underlying language learning technology. Examines current language
learning technology for second and foreign language learning, teaching, testing, and research, and considers its
demonstrable efficacy. Identifies and explores specific areas in need of further research and development.
T560 - American Culture (3 cr.)
P: for international students only. A survey of issues related to the culture and character of the people of the United States. Topics include the national, social, and linguistic origins of the American people, political and social institutions, and the arts.
T690 - Advanced Readings in TESOL and Applied Linguistics (1-4 cr.)
T695 - M.A. Thesis Research in TESOL and Applied Linguistics (1-4 cr.)
