Applied Linguistics Program

Interdisciplinary Program

The following list reflects the 2006/2007 faculty.

Director Mary Catherine O’Connor

Faculty

Shanley Allen Associate Director, Program in Applied Linguistics; Associate Professor, School of Education. BA, PhD, McGill University

Jonathan Barnes Assistant Professor of Linguistics, College of Arts and Sciences. BA, Columbia University; MA, PhD, University of California, Berkeley

Bruce Fraser Professor of Education, School of Education. BEE, Cornell University; PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Jean Berko Gleason Professor Emerita of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences. AB, AM, PhD, Harvard University

Paul Hagstrom Associate Professor of Linguistics, College of Arts and Sciences. BA, Carleton College; PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

John P. Hutchison Associate Professor of African Languages and Linguistics, College of Arts and Sciences. BA, Pomona College; MA, PhD, Indiana University

Jacqueline A. Liederman Associate Professor of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences. BA, City University of New York; PhD, University of Rochester

Carol Neidle Professor of French and Linguistics, College of Arts and Sciences. BA, Yale University; MA, Middlebury College; PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mary Catherine O’Connor Director, Program in Applied Linguistics; Associate Professor of Education, School of Education. BA, Stanford University; MA, PhD, University of California, Berkeley

Affiliated Faculty

Jeffry Coady Assistant Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. BA, University of Rhode Island; MA, PhD, University of Rochester

Jeffrey P. Coulter Professor of Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences. BA, Durham University (England); MA, PhD, University of Manchester (England)

Eugene Green Professor of English, College of Arts and Sciences. BA, MA, Ohio State University; PhD, University of Michigan

Catherine L. Harris Associate Professor of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences. BA, Harvard; PhD, University of California, San Diego

Jaakko Hintikka Professor of Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences. PhD, Helsingin Yliopisto (Finland)

Robert J. Hoffmeister Associate Professor of Education, School of Education. BS, University of Connecticut; MEd, University of Arizona; PhD, University of Minnesota

Marlon Kuntz Associate Professor of Education, School of Education. BA, Gallaudet University; MS, Western Oregon University; PhD, Stanford University

Marnie Reed Assistant Professor of Education, School of Education. BA, University of Pennsylvania; EdM, EdD, Boston University

Leher Singh Assistant Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. BA, Bryn Mawr College; MA, Wesleyan University; PhD, Brown University

Nancy Smith-Hefner Associate Professor of Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences. BA, MA, PhD, University of Michigan

The Graduate Program

The Applied Linguistics Program offers a solid foundation in linguistic theory and practice. This interdepartmental program provides opportunities for study in the core areas of linguistics, as well as studies with an applied orientation. It is particularly appropriate for students with interests in first language acquisition and development, linguistic theory and description, and language disorders.

The program includes faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences (Departments of Anthropology, Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, and English), the School of Education, the School of Medicine, and Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences).

The Applied Linguistics Program sponsors the annual Boston University Conference on Language Development, organized by graduate students in the program, which is a major international forum for discussion of language acquisition research.

Institutional Resources The Applied Linguistics Library has a good collection of recent books and journals and provides pleasant work space for graduate students.

General Application Requirements Applicants for admission must submit results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants whose native language is not English must also submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination. Applicants are urged to plan ahead to schedule these examinations. More specific requirements are listed separately for the MA and PhD Programs.

Further Information Further information and additional printed materials about the program are available from the program office, 96 Cummington Street, Room 246, Boston, MA 02215. Phone: 617-353-6197; fax: 617-358-2353; e-mail: linguist@bu.edu; or at: Linguistics Department.

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MA in Applied Linguistics

The Master of Arts degree provides an excellent background for more advanced work in linguistics or fields related to linguistics and the language sciences. Students who complete the MA degree have continued on to PhD programs in linguistics, and to clinical programs in communication disorders. Others have gone on to work in the fields of speech technology or education, among others. In addition, students who are planning a career in the linguistic study and teaching of their native language and in shaping the language policies in their countries of origin can benefit from interaction with the African Studies Center, the Department of Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures, and the School of Education.

In consultation with an advisor, master’s degree students select a sequence of courses providing both depth and breadth in their area of specialization. Students may also become involved in projects offering opportunities for research and practice, in association with faculty at Boston University and other local institutions including universities, schools, research institutes, or clinics.

Prerequisites Applicants must have met the requirements for a bachelor’s degree. The undergraduate degree may be in any field, but the student must have completed the equivalent of one of Boston University’s introductory classes in linguistics (CAS LX 250, SED LS 565, or CAS EN 511). Students who have not previously had an introductory linguistics course must pass an examination or make up the deficiency through coursework prior to entry or during the first semester. (Introductory linguistics courses will not be counted toward the master’s degree requirements.)

Course Requirements Eight semester-level courses (32 credits) are required. This includes four core courses; both of the following:

CAS LX 510 Phonetics & Phonology
CAS LX 522 Syntax I

plus one course in language structure and linguistic theory:

and one course that provides an introduction to a major area of applied linguistics:

as well as four additional specialized courses. Possible specialization areas include the following, or students may design their own specialization in consultation with their advisor.

Language Acquisition
Neurolinguistics and Language Disorders
Language Structure and Linguistic Theory
Sign Language Linguistics and Acquisition
Bilingualism and Language Teaching

Students may receive transfer credit for up to two courses, in accordance with the policies and practices of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. If a student has taken the equivalent of any of the core courses, it may be waived. In this case, the student may substitute another course for the course already taken, but unless the credits are transferred, there will be no reduction in the 32 credits required for the MA.

Language Requirement Each student who has not previously completed at least two years of study or the equivalent in one foreign language at the undergraduate level must make up the deficiency through coursework or examination.

Final MA Project Students complete a significant research project relevant to their field of specialization. This may be a publishable paper or a project designed to show mastery of some aspect of the specialization area. Planning of the final project is done in consultation with the advisor. The project or paper is evaluated by the advisor and at least one other member of the faculty of Boston University.

Completion of Degree The program must be completed within three years of the first registration for study leading to the master’s degree. Students normally register for no more than four courses per semester, but must register for at least one course each semester until course requirements have been fulfilled (or a leave of absence has been granted).

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PhD in Applied Linguistics

Prerequisites An applicant for the PhD degree should hold a master’s degree in linguistics, a foreign language, speech and language, or some related field. Prospective applicants with a master’s degree in a field other than those listed are encouraged to enter the master’s program described above before beginning doctoral work. Anyone unsure of eligibility should contact the program director. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a sample of their linguistic work (such as a course paper) with application materials.

Course Requirements A minimum of ten courses beyond the master’s degree is normally required for the post-master’s PhD degree. The program consists of seven core courses plus three electives. One of the electives must be a research-oriented course appropriate to the student’s specialization and chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor. The electives are chosen as part of a coherent program of study that is approved at the end of the first semester of enrollment by an advisor and the program director. If their previous courses are equivalent to the core courses, students may, with the approval of the program director, count up to two courses taken as part of their master’s degree program toward the core course requirements, thereby reducing the total number of required courses to eight. (Any core course may be satisfied in this manner except for CAS LX 523 Syntax II and CAS LX 513 Phonology.)

Language Requirement Competence in two nonnative languages must be demonstrated before completion of degree requirements.

Internship Requirement

Doctoral students are required to complete an internship during their enrollment in the program. This will normally be completed concurrent with coursework and comprehensive requirements, during the first three years of enrollment. This internship must provide students with experience (research, teaching, or other professional work) in an area that is relevant to progress in some aspect of their doctoral program. The requirement may be satisfied in a wide variety of settings and roles, including—but not limited to—teaching or tutoring language learners, conducting supervised research (in some context other than directed study for credit), carrying out linguistic fieldwork, working in an organization that makes use of linguistic research and theory (e.g., commercial or research settings developing speech recognition, natural language understanding, or computerized lexicography systems), acting as an instructor or teaching assistant in linguistics classes, designing or publishing language teaching or learning materials (paper or electronic), or other activities, as jointly decided by the student and advisor. The internship may be paid or volunteer. The default time period will be one semester, but it may be longer or shorter in particular cases. It does not require registration for any for-credit course; in fact, research carried out for credit will not count towards the internship. Its duration will be negotiated among the student, advisor, and where relevant, site supervisors.

Qualifying Examination A candidate for the doctoral degree must satisfactorily complete one publishable book review (by the end of the first year of coursework) and two substantial research papers in different areas (the first by the end of the fifth semester, the second no later than the seventh semester of enrollment). This work shall be planned and carried out under the supervision of an advisor. An oral examination will follow submission of each research paper.

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination Candidates must submit a dissertation representing original research in an area of linguistics. A prospectus for the dissertation must be completed, and approved by the program in a prospectus hearing, before the more extensive phase of dissertation research is begun. A final oral examination must be completed as outlined in the General Requirements for the PhD section of this site.

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Program Course Offerings

Course descriptions and prerequisites for LX courses (linguistics courses offered through the Department of Modern Foreign Languages) are presented below. Descriptions for other GRS courses are to be found in the section of this bulletin for the sponsoring department. For other courses, please consult departmental listings in relevant School bulletins (The School of Education, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and The School of Medicine). Courses not listed below may satisfy electives with approval.

Core Courses for the PhD

Linguistics Core

Required of all students:

Students must take four additional courses from the Linguistics core:

Language Acquisition Core

One course required from the following language acquisition core:

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Electives for the MA and PhD Programs

(Those marked with * count only toward the MA program.)

Linguistic Theory

Language Acquisition

Second Language Acquisition, Bilingualism, and Language Teaching

Linguistic Analysis of Specific Languages

Neurolinguistics and Language Disorders

Philosophy of Language

Computational Linguistics

Research Methodology

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Course Descriptions

CAS LX 500 Topics in Linguistics

CAS LX 501 Linguistic Field Methods

An in-depth investigation of the phonology, morphology, syntax, and discourse/pragmatics of an African or other non-Indo-European language. O’Connor. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS LX 502 Semantics I

Introduction to the study of linguistic meaning, with the goal of improving understanding of the ways in which native speakers produce and interpret language. Emphasis on the interaction of meaning with other components of grammar and cognitive systems. Ippolito. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS LX 503 Semantics II

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS LX 505 Structure of African Languages

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS LX 510 Phonetics

Introduction to articulatory and acoustic phonetics; the anatomy of human speech production. Practice in using feature-based analysis beginning with English and including European and non-European languages. Introduction to spectrographic analysis. Rudiments of phonological analysis. Barnes. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS LX 513 Phonology

Prereq: CAS LX 510 or consenf instructor. Introduction to the sound system of languages. Study and analysis of physical and mental aspects of sound production in speech and the system in which sounds are organized. Phonological rules, processes, and universals examined through consideration of various languages. Barnes. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS AN 521 Sociolinguistics

Introduction to language in its social context. Methodological and theoretical approaches to sociolinguistics. Linguistic variation in relation to situation, gender, socioeconomic class, linguistic context, and ethnicity. Integrating micro- and macroanalysis from the simple conversation to societal language planning. (Formerly CAS LX 520.) O’Connor. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS LX 521 Morphology

Prereq: CAS LX 250. Introduction to major theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of word structure in natural language. Emphasis on the development of skills for analysis of morphological structures of unfamiliar languages. Staff. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS LX 522 Syntax I

Introduction to the logical structure and organization of language and to recent Chomskyan theory. Application of principles of syntactic analysis to students’ own and other languages through data-oriented problems from different language types. Hagstrom. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS LX 523 Syntax II

Continuation of CAS LX 522. Investigation of the relationship between syntactic structure and logical representation. Overview of major syntactic theories, with particular emphasis on Chomsky’s “principles and parameters” approach and Bresnan’s Lexical Functional Grammar. Hagstrom. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS LX 533 The Structure of Creole Languages

Not offered 2007/2008

CAS LX 535 Historical and Comparative Linguistics

Prereq or coreq: CAS LX 510. Introduction to language change and the methodology of historical linguistic analysis, using data from a wide array of languages. Investigates genetic relatedness among languages, language comparison, historical reconstruction, and patterns and principles of change in phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Barnes. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

GRS AL 901, 902 Directed Study in Applied Linguistics

Prereq: consent of instructor and director of the program. Directed study in linguistics. Hours arranged. Variable cr, 1st & 2nd sem.

GRS LX 700 Language Acquisition and Linguistic Theory

Examines the relationship of linguistic theory to language acquisition. Data is drawn from a wide range of languages; areas are identified for future research. Hagstrom. 4 cr, 1st sem.

GRS LX 801/802 Seminar in Applied Linguistic Research

Not offered 2007/2008

GRS LX 865 Advanced Topics in Linguistics

Not offered 2007/2008

GRS LX 951, 952 Directed Study: Linguistics

Prereq: consent of instructor and director of the program. Directed study in linguistics. Hours arranged. Variable cr, 1st & 2nd sem.

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Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Sherborn Street
Boston, MA 02215

31 October 2007
Boston University
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