Generally, they should all be taken as soon as possible, since they are intended to ensure that all students gain a solid understanding of the nature of language and the methods currently best developed by linguists for the study of language. This course deals with the organization and interrelations of speech sounds in the languages of the world. This course deals with the ways in which words are organized into phrases and sentences in natural human languages. Additional Courses Beyond the three basic courses, concentrators are encouraged to fill out their program with courses that satisfy their own particular set of interests. Since language is important to many aspects of human life, students can combine linguistics with related fields of study.
Coursework addresses both practical and theoretical issues.
A sequence of coursework in this area is especially useful for students interested in teaching ESL, especially in international settings. Students will have opportunities to meet faculty members and observe language courses at the English Language Institute, which is known worldwide as a principal center of second language instructional research and curriculum development. Students following this concentration profile are required to take Perspectives of Second Language Learning and Second Language Instruction, three other courses from the list below, and the three core courses required for Linguistics. A letter certifying that the student has completed a sequence of courses in this concentration area will be issued upon graduation. Such a concentration assumes a practical ability to use the spoken and written language.