The Department tries to offer upper-level courses on a regular basis, although not all courses can be offered every year. For an idea of the frequency with which certain courses are offered, refer to Frequency of Course Offerings. 

Due to frequent changes in course schedules, we are no longer posting current course schedules directly on this site. Please check SAIL for the most up-to-date information. For an easier to read PDF version of the course schedule, go to SAIL, click on "Class Schedule Search" and then "Schedule of Class in PDF Format. This PDF schedule is not updated as frequently, however, as the main SAIL interface.

LIN 177 Introduction to Language Science (4)
A basic introduction to the modern study of language as rule-governed behavior. Among the topics considered are the linguistic principles pertaining to sounds, words, sentences and meanings in cultural subsystems that enable people to communicate. Examples and analysis of English and other languages.

LIN 180 Linguistic Analysis (4)
An introduction to the analytical and theoretical concepts used by linguists to describe the structure of human language. The course will focus on an analysis of both sound and phrase structures.
Satisfies the university general education requirement in the formal reasoning knowledge foundation area.

LIN 181 Introduction to the Development of the English Language (4)
An introduction to the development of the English language from its Anglo-Saxon beginnings to the present, including the development of the sounds, words, sentences and meanings of English; discussion of the spread and dominance of English as a world language and the many varieties of English will also be included.
Satisfies the university general education requirement in the foreign language and culture knowledge exploration area.

LIN 182 Language and the Brain (4)
Overview of the anatomy and physiology of language in the brain, including discussion of human characteristics that make language possible, human problems with language that result from various pathologies, and the mind-brain relationship. Consideration of the nature of language as a specifically human phenomenon.
Satisfies the university general education requirement in the natural science and technology knowledge exploration area.

LIN 183 Formal Rules of Sound Structure (4)
This course focuses on linguistic analysis specifically in the area of abstract representations of the sound system, i.e. phonology. Problem sets and class discussion will be oriented toward building a formal model of phonological knowledge. Diverse sets of data will be considered for the purpose of formulating hypotheses about various aspects of the model.
Satisfies the university general education requirement in the formal reasoning knowledge foundation area.

LIN 183 Formal Rules of Phrase Structure (4)
This course is an introduction to formal linguistic theory and analysis. Specifically, the course introduces students to the formal syntactic mechanisms that the human mind undertakes to generate all and only the grammatical sentences of language. Students will work with examples from different languages analyzing and re-analyzing them to form rules that reveal generalizations.
Satisfies the university general education requirement in the formal reasoning knowledge foundation area.

LIN 201 Introduction to Linguistics (4)
Introduction to the modern study of human language. Emphasis on the analysis of sound and structure, variation and change, and linguistic universals.

LIN 207 Meaning in Language (4)
The study of meaning, which involves the relation among speaker, the language and the real, or imagined, world. Attention is given to modern theories about the organization of thought.
Identical with COM 207.
Satisfies the university general education requirement in language.

LIN 300 Topics in Linguistics (4)
Topics and problems selected by the instructor.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Department of Linguistics.

LIN 301/501 Linguistic Structures (4) 
An introduction to linguistic analysis and the nature of human language within a modern linguistic framework using data from English and other languages. This course provides an overview of sound, structure,meaning, dialect variation, historical change, and linguistic universals. 

LIN 303/503 Introduction to Phonology (4)
Fundamentals of phonological analysis using data from a variety of languages. 
Prerequisite: LIN 201 with a grade of 3.0 or higher.

LIN 304/504 Introduction to Syntax (4)
Fundamentals of syntactic analysis using data from a variety of languages.
Prerequisite: LIN 201 with a grade of 3.0 or higher.

LIN 305/505 Phonetic Theory (4)
An introduction to articulatory and acoustic descriptions of spoken language and training in the recognition and production of sounds found in languages other than English.
Prerequisite: LIN 201 with a grade of 3.0 or higher.

LIN 307/507 Introduction to Semantics (4)
Fundamentals of semantic analysis using data from a variety of languages.
Prerequisite: LIN 201 with a grade of 3.0 or higher.

LIN 315/515 Computer Parsing of Natural Language (4)
An examination of the syntactic and semantic properties of natural language and a survey of the techniques for computer parsing. Student projects in the computer analysis of language.
Identical with CSE 315.
Prerequisite: LIN 201 and CSE 130 or 131.

LIN 357/557 Cognitive Linguistics (4)
A cognitive/functional approach to grammatical theory focusing on the relation between language and cognition in the study of semantic, lexical and grammatical structure.
Prerequisite: LIN 201 or permission of instructor

LIN 376/576 History of the English Language (4)
Identical with ENG 376.
Prerequisite: RHT 160.

LIN 403/603 Phonological Theory (4)
A presentation of theory and application of phonological analysis with emphasis on original work.
Prerequisite: LIN 303/503 with a grade of 2.0 or higher.

LIN 404/604 Syntactic Theory (4)
A presentation of theory and application of morphological and syntactic analysis, with emphasis on original work.
Prerequisite: LIN 304/504 with a grade of 2.0 or higher.

LIN 407/607 Semantic Theory (4)
A presentation of theory and application of semantic analysis, with emphasis on original work.
Prerequisite: LIN 307 with a grade of 2.0 or higher.

LIN 409/609 Studies in the Structure of a Language (4)
A study of the structural aspects of an individual language to be determined by the instructor.
Prerequisite: LIN 303/503 and 304/504

LIN 413/613 Advanced Phonology (4)
An advanced course in phonology with emphasis on current issues in phonological theory.
Prerequisite: LIN 403/603

LIN 414/614 Advanced Syntax (4)
An advanced course in syntax with emphasis on current issues in syntactic theory.
Prerequisite: LIN 404/604

LIN 417/617 Advanced Semantics (4)
An advanced course in semantics with emphasis on current issues in semantic theory.
Prerequisite: LIN 407/607

LIN 470/670 History of Linguistics (4)
Examination of the major movements and trends in the history of linguistics from ancient India to the present.
Prerequisite: Senior standing and 12 credits in LIN courses numbered above 300/500 including LIN 303/503 and 304/504.
Satisfies the university general education requirement for a writing intensive course in the major, or general education, not both. Prerequisite for writing intensive: completion of the university writing foundation requirement.
Satisfies the university general education requirement for the capstone experience.

LIN 475 Philosophy of Language (4)
Identical with PHL 475.

LIN 480 Seminar in Linguistics (4)
Topics and problems selected by the instructor.
Prerequisite: LIN 201 and permission of the Department of Linguistics.

LIN 490 Independent Study (2 or 4)
Special research projects in linguistics. Graded numerically or S/U by written agreement with linguistics faculty supervisor.
Prerequisite: LIN 201 and permission of the instructor.

LIN 500 Studies in Linguistics and Language (4)
Designed to introduce students with or without previous formal study in linguistics to topics selected by instructor.

LIN 590 Directed Readings (4) 
Directed individual research on specific topics.

LIN 600 Special Topics in Linguistics (4)
Topics and problems selected by the instructor.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

LIN 615 Problems in Computational Linguistics (4)
Directed research projects on special topics in computational linguistics.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

LIN 680 Seminar in Linguistics (4)
A research seminar designed to develop a student's skill in linguistic investigation and exposition. Students must complete a research paper.
A temporary grade of "P" may be given for this course.
Prerequisite: LIN 503 and 504 and permission of instructor.

LIN 690 The Master's Thesis (4)
Completion of a project proposed by a degree candidate in consultation with his/her advisor.
A temporary grade of "P" may be given for this course.
Prerequisite: LIN 503 and 504 and permission of department.

ALS 102  Studies in Vocabulary and Etymology (4)
A basic course in vocabulary building. The origin of scientific and literary terms; foreign phrases in current use; borrowing of words into English from other languages; and the relationship between meaning and culture and meaning and context.
Course not applicable to LIN programs.

ALS 176 The Humanity of Language (4)
An introduction to the interrelationships of language and other cultural subsystems. Linguistic knowledge, the child's acquisition of language, sound and writing systems, meaning and communication, language and social groups are among the topics discussed.
Satisfies the university general education requirement in the foreign language and culture knowledge exploration area.

ALS 317/517 Models of Second Language Acquisition (4)
Development of second language ability among children and adults. Topics will include first language acquisition theory, the relationship of second language acquisition to linguistic theory, and a review and evaluation of competing models of second language development.

ALS 320/520 Linguistics and Reading (4)
Linguistic description and analysis of the process of getting meaning from print. The course will review competing linguistic models of the reading process and insights from first and second language acquisition, psycholinguistics, reading disorders and studies in writing.

ALS 334/534 Language Development in Children (4)
Language acquisition in normal and abnormal children: stages of the acquisition process, the role of the environment, the relationship between language and the development of other skills, and language acquisition in children with sensory or psychological disorders.

ALS 335/535 Psycholinguistics (4)
The psychology of language, the accommodation between the cognitive and physical structure of humans and the structure of language, the nature of the language learning process, and the consequences of language use.
Identical with PSY 370.
Satisfies the university general education requirement for a writing intensive course in the major. Prerequisite for writing intensive: completion of the university writing foundation requirement.

ALS 340/540 The Biology of Language (4)
Animal communication and the evolution of man's capacity for language, development of language in normal and abnormal children, disorders of speech, hearing and language, language and the brain, and genetic aspects of language.

ALS 360/560 Neurolinguistics (4)
The neurology of language: essentials of neuroanatomy, neurological mechanisms underlying language, aphasia and kindred disorders of speech; the relationship of language to memory, intelligence and cognition; and language and mental retardation and psychological disorders.

ALS 374/574 Cross-Cultural Communication (4)
A theoretical and practical examination of the role of language and nonverbal modes in intercultural communication. Problems and strategies for developing awareness of and operational skills in intercultural processes.
Identical with AN 374.
Satisfies the university general education requirement in U.S. diversity.

ALS 375/575 Language and Culture (4)
Language viewed as cultural behavior: its system, acquisition and use; its relation to history, attitudes and behavior; and standard languages, social dialects, pidgins and creoles.
Identical with AN 375.

ALS 376/576 Language and Society (4)
Language in its social context, intrasocietal variation, social evaluation of language varieties (style, dialect) as an influence in language change, and the choice of a language variety as an index of group solidarity, social ideology and individual attitudes.
Identical with SOC 376.

ALS 418/518 The Teaching of English as a Second Language (4)
Approaches, methods and techniques of teaching pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary. The use of language tests and laboratory techniques.
Prerequisite: LIN 201

ALS 419/519 Practicum (4)
Internship in an assigned ESL program under the guidance of a university instructor. Offered fall, winter, and spring. Availability in spring is limited. For eligibility requirements, see Practicum Eligibility. May be repeated for up to 8 credits.
Prerequisite: ALS 418/518 and permission of instructor.

ALS 438/538 Theory and Practice in Language Testing (4)
A study of the different types of aptitude and achievement tests used in different language settings, including research and educational situations. Brief introduction to test statistics and computerized analysis of test scores. Practical aspects of testing: design, scoring and administration.
Prerequisite: ALS 317 or ALS 418 or permission of instructor.

Classical Languages

LTN 114-115 Introduction to the Latin Language and Roman Culture (4 each)
A two-semester sequence in the fundamentals of Latin language and Classical Roman culture. A beginning course.
LTN 114 must be taken first.
LTN 114 or 115 satisfies the university general education requirement in the foreign language and culture knowledge exploration area through 2006-2007.