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Year Course ID Course
2026-2027 LING 466

Principles of Sociolinguistic Survey

This course introduces the students to the rudiments of linguistic and sociolinguistic survey. The focus is on purpose-driven language survey design and appropriate subsequent reporting of the findings. Consideration is given to current issues in social science research such as the ethics of sampling, and statistical significance of sample populations.

Course Credits: 3
LING 210
2025-2026 LING 470

Language & Culture Acquisition

This course introduces students to theories of second language and second culture acquisition. Students develop and evaluate self-directed strategies based on personal learning styles. Practical experience in the above topics is gained by working with a speaker of a non-Indo-European language.

Course Credits: 3
NB: LING 480 is recommended in same semester.
2026-2027 LING 470

Language & Culture Acquisition

This course introduces students to theories of second language and second culture acquisition. Students develop and evaluate self-directed strategies based on personal learning styles. Practical experience in the above topics is gained by working with a speaker of a non-Indo-European language.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310
NB: LING 480 is recommended in same semester.
Cross-listed: ANTH 470
LING 471

First Language Acquisition

Covers typical first language acquisition in children. Major topics include phonology, vocabulary, grammar, syntax, pragmatics, as well as literacy development. Application to fields of speech-language pathology and audiology are developed through sections on language impairment and hearing loss.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310, 330 and 360.
NB: Offered in odd-numbered years.
2025-2026 LING 471

First Language Acquisition

Covers typical first language acquisition in children. Major topics include phonology, vocabulary, grammar, syntax, pragmatics, as well as literacy development. Application to fields of speech-language pathology and audiology are developed through sections on language impairment and hearing loss.

Course Credits: 3
NB: Offered in odd-numbered years.
2026-2027 LING 471

First Language Acquisition

Covers typical first language acquisition in children. Major topics include phonology, vocabulary, grammar, syntax, pragmatics, as well as literacy development. Application to fields of speech-language pathology and audiology are developed through sections on language impairment and hearing loss.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310, 330 and 360
NB: Offered in odd-numbered years.
LING 472

Orthography Development

Prepares linguists and literacy workers to guide speakers of an unwritten language to develop an orthography that will accurately represent the sound system of the language, be acceptable to the speakers of the language, and be easily learned for reading and writing the language. This includes consideration of both linguistic and sociolinguistic factors, and representation of non-segmental features such as tone. Although the focus is on alphabetic scripts, non-Roman scripts, including syllabic and logographic, are also considered.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 230, 330
LING 475

Scripture Engagement

This course focuses on developing appropriate materials and activities that enhance a community's engagement with Scripture. Students learn how to research worldview, work with local artists and teachers, and partner with local leaders in this process.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): None. (Summer, 0-0;0-0)
2025-2026 LING 475

Scripture Engagement

This course focuses on developing appropriate materials and activities that enhance a community's engagement with Scripture. Students learn how to research worldview, work with local artists and teachers, and partner with local leaders in this process.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 LING 475

Scripture Engagement

This course focuses on developing appropriate materials and activities that enhance a community's engagement with Scripture. Students learn how to research worldview, work with local artists and teachers, and partner with local leaders in this process.

Course Credits: 3
LING 476

Acoustic Phonetics

This course introduces students to fundamental principles of acoustics that are relevant to the study of human speech sounds. Students gain a basic understanding of the properties of speech sound waves and learn to investigate these properties instrumentally using acoustic analysis software. Students gain extensive practice interpreting acoustic displays such as waveform graphs, fundamental frequency graphs, and spectrograms. A major focus of the course is the effective use of these displays as an aid to correctly transcribing speech sounds and understanding their phonetic properties in the context of descriptive phonetic and/or phonological fieldwork. Significant attention is also given to the complex interrelationships among acoustic, articulatory, and perceptual correlates of speech sounds.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310.
2025-2026 LING 476

Acoustic Phonetics

This course introduces students to fundamental principles of acoustics that are relevant to the study of human speech sounds. Students gain a basic understanding of the properties of speech sound waves and learn to investigate these properties instrumentally using acoustic analysis software. Students gain extensive practice interpreting acoustic displays such as waveform graphs, fundamental frequency graphs, and spectrograms. A major focus of the course is the effective use of these displays as an aid to correctly transcribing speech sounds and understanding their phonetic properties in the context of descriptive phonetic and/or phonological fieldwork. Significant attention is also given to the complex interrelationships among acoustic, articulatory, and perceptual correlates of speech sounds.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 LING 476

Acoustic Phonetics

This course introduces students to fundamental principles of acoustics that are relevant to the study of human speech sounds. Students gain a basic understanding of the properties of speech sound waves and learn to investigate these properties instrumentally using acoustic analysis software. Students gain extensive practice interpreting acoustic displays such as waveform graphs, fundamental frequency graphs, and spectrograms. A major focus of the course is the effective use of these displays as an aid to correctly transcribing speech sounds and understanding their phonetic properties in the context of descriptive phonetic and/or phonological fieldwork. Significant attention is also given to the complex interrelationships among acoustic, articulatory, and perceptual correlates of speech sounds.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310
2025-2026 LING 480

Field Methods: Data Management & Analysis

Practical methodology for managing, analyzing, and describing language data. Working with a native speaker of a non-Indo-European language, students gain experience in the ethics of fieldwork, techniques of data collection and recording, analysis using the scientific method and the use of linguistic software

Course Credits: 3
NB: In fall term, must be taken with LING 470.
2026-2027 LING 480

Field Methods: Data Management & Analysis

Practical methodology for managing, analyzing, and describing language data. Working with a native speaker of a non-Indo-European language, students gain experience in the ethics of fieldwork, techniques of data collection and recording, analysis using the scientific method and the use of linguistic software

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310, 330, 360
NB: In fall term, must be taken with LING 470.
LING 480

Field Methods: Data Management and Analysis

Practical methodology for managing, analyzing, and describing language data. Working with a native speaker of a non-Indo-European language, students gain experience in the ethics of fieldwork, techniques of data collection and recording, analysis using the scientific method and the use of linguistic software

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310, 330, 360. (3-1; 0-0)
NB: In fall term, must be taken with LING 470.
LING 482

Issues in Community Literacy

This course focuses on issues relating to literacy programs in a community of speakers of a minority language. It deals with various program issues, including: bridging the gap to oral communities and introducing change in a community, motivation and mobilization, capacity-building and sustainability, training and evaluation, the challenges of working in multilingual societies and with those in stressed situations, and using participatory approaches in all aspects of the program.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 210. (3-0)
2025-2026 LING 482

Issues in Community Literacy

This course focuses on issues relating to literacy programs in a community of speakers of a minority language. It deals with various program issues, including: bridging the gap to oral communities and introducing change in a community, motivation and mobilization, capacity-building and sustainability, training and evaluation, the challenges of working in multilingual societies and with those in stressed situations, and using participatory approaches in all aspects of the program.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 LING 482

Issues in Community Literacy

This course focuses on issues relating to literacy programs in a community of speakers of a minority language. It deals with various program issues, including: bridging the gap to oral communities and introducing change in a community, motivation and mobilization, capacity-building and sustainability, training and evaluation, the challenges of working in multilingual societies and with those in stressed situations, and using participatory approaches in all aspects of the program.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 210
2025-2026 LING 483

Language Program Design & Management

This course investigates the sociolinguistic and background factors upon which a language development program for speakers of vernacular languages may be based. Students learn to work with local people and agencies in designing and implementing a program to effectively meet the needs of specific language groups.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 LING 483

Language Program Design & Management

This course investigates the sociolinguistic and background factors upon which a language development program for speakers of vernacular languages may be based. Students learn to work with local people and agencies in designing and implementing a program to effectively meet the needs of specific language groups.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 210
LING 483

Language Program Design and Management

This course investigates the sociolinguistic and background factors upon which a language development program for speakers of vernacular languages may be based. Students learn to work with local people and agencies in designing and implementing a program to effectively meet the needs of specific language groups.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 210.
LING 484

Principles of Literacy

An introduction to literacy work in ethnolinguistic minority groups. This course includes an overview of the elements of a literacy program, including literacy materials development, pre- and post- literacy considerations, learning and reading theory, and instructional methodologies.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 210, 230/310, and 330. (3-0)
2025-2026 LING 484

Principles of Literacy

An introduction to literacy work in ethnolinguistic minority groups. This course includes an overview of the elements of a literacy program, including literacy materials development, pre- and post- literacy considerations, learning and reading theory, and instructional methodologies.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 LING 484

Principles of Literacy

An introduction to literacy work in ethnolinguistic minority groups. This course includes an overview of the elements of a literacy program, including literacy materials development, pre- and post- literacy considerations, learning and reading theory, and instructional methodologies.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 210, 310, and 330
LING 485

Principles of Translation

This course covers the process of translating from a source language to a target language. Students will develop skill in understanding a message as originally communicated in one language and cultural setting and in communicating essentially that message in a very different language and culture. Discussion includes: source language, target language, and cross-language transfer, with particular attention to the translation of Scripture.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 493
LING 486

Advanced Phonological Analysis

This course introduces students to advanced concepts of phonological theory. Employing the theoretical models they are learning, students develop a clearer understanding of the typological behavior of phonological systems by analyzing data from a variety of languages.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310, 330; minimum grade of B-.
2025-2026 LING 486

Advanced Phonological Analysis

This course introduces students to advanced concepts of phonological theory. Employing the theoretical models they are learning, students develop a clearer understanding of the typological behavior of phonological systems by analyzing data from a variety of languages.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 LING 486

Advanced Phonological Analysis

This course introduces students to advanced concepts of phonological theory. Employing the theoretical models they are learning, students develop a clearer understanding of the typological behavior of phonological systems by analyzing data from a variety of languages.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310, 330; minimum grade of B-
LING 487

Lexicography

Provides a theoretical and practical basis for analyzing the semantics of the lexicon, managing a lexical database, and producing dictionaries for a variety of audiences including the local community, translators, and linguists.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 480
2025-2026 LING 487

Lexicography

Provides a theoretical and practical basis for analyzing the semantics of the lexicon, managing a lexical database, and producing dictionaries for a variety of audiences including the local community, translators, and linguists.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 LING 487

Lexicography

Provides a theoretical and practical basis for analyzing the semantics of the lexicon, managing a lexical database, and producing dictionaries for a variety of audiences including the local community, translators, and linguists.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 480
LING 488

Literacy Materials Development

This course teaches students how to prepare basic pedagogical materials and early readers in languages that may not have a long written tradition. Special emphasis is given to teaching techniques for involving the local language community in the production of these materials.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 484
2025-2026 LING 488

Literacy Materials Development

This course teaches students how to prepare basic pedagogical materials and early readers in languages that may not have a long written tradition. Special emphasis is given to teaching techniques for involving the local language community in the production of these materials.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 LING 488

Literacy Materials Development

This course teaches students how to prepare basic pedagogical materials and early readers in languages that may not have a long written tradition. Special emphasis is given to teaching techniques for involving the local language community in the production of these materials.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 484
LING 490

Special Topics in Linguistics

An examination of special topics or issues in linguistics that are not covered in depth in other courses.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310, 330, 360, or equivalent courses, third year standing, and instructor's consent.
NB: Offered on a case by case basis as needed. See department chair.
2025-2026 LING 490

Special Topics in Linguistics

An examination of special topics or issues in linguistics that are not covered in depth in other courses.

Course Credits: 3
NB: Offered on a case by case basis as needed. See department chair.
2026-2027 LING 490

Special Topics in Linguistics

An examination of special topics or issues in linguistics that are not covered in depth in other courses.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310, 330, 360, or equivalent courses, third-year standing, and instructor's consent
NB: Offered on a case by case basis as needed. See department chair.
LING 491

Discourse Analysis

This course focuses on the question of how speakers of a given language effectively accomplish their communicative goals through the strategic use and shaping of language in both written and oral discourse. Students learn to identify different discourse genres, to chart texts for analysis, to discern hierarchical units within the macrostructure of a text, and to describe features of cohesion and participant reference, as well as identifying strategies in language for establishing the relative prominence of various streams of information. Special attention is paid to the interaction between alternate syntactic forms and their varying pragmatic functions in context.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 360 and third year standing.
2025-2026 LING 491

Discourse Analysis

This course focuses on the question of how speakers of a given language effectively accomplish their communicative goals through the strategic use and shaping of language in both written and oral discourse. Students learn to identify different discourse genres, to chart texts for analysis, to discern hierarchical units within the macrostructure of a text, and to describe features of cohesion and participant reference, as well as identifying strategies in language for establishing the relative prominence of various streams of information. Special attention is paid to the interaction between alternate syntactic forms and their varying pragmatic functions in context.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 LING 491

Discourse Analysis

This course focuses on the question of how speakers of a given language effectively accomplish their communicative goals through the strategic use and shaping of language in both written and oral discourse. Students learn to identify different discourse genres, to chart texts for analysis, to discern hierarchical units within the macrostructure of a text, and to describe features of cohesion and participant reference, as well as identifying strategies in language for establishing the relative prominence of various streams of information. Special attention is paid to the interaction between alternate syntactic forms and their varying pragmatic functions in context.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 360 and third-year standing
2025-2026 LING 493

Semantics & Pragmatics

This course provides students with the theoretical tools with which to study meaning at the word and sentence levels, and to explain how people interpret utterances in context. Students will study various models of semantics and pragmatics, and learn how to apply different approaches to the study of meaning in natural language.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 LING 493

Semantics & Pragmatics

This course provides students with the theoretical tools with which to study meaning at the word and sentence levels, and to explain how people interpret utterances in context. Students will study various models of semantics and pragmatics, and learn how to apply different approaches to the study of meaning in natural language.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 360
LING 494

Communication & Translation

Discusses foundational principles of translation as cross-linguistic communication, with a focus on minority and minoritized language environments. Students will study the principles involved in understanding a message as originally communicated in one language and cultural setting, and in communicating that message in a very different language and culture. Students will apply theories from different schools of thought regarding communication and the idea of quality in translation.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): None.
2025-2026 LING 494

Communication & Translation

Discusses foundational principles of translation as cross-linguistic communication, with a focus on minority and minoritized language environments. Students will study the principles involved in understanding a message as originally communicated in one language and cultural setting, and in communicating that message in a very different language and culture. Students will apply theories from different schools of thought regarding communication and the idea of quality in translation.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 LING 494

Communication & Translation

Discusses foundational principles of translation as cross-linguistic communication, with a focus on minority and minoritized language environments. Students will study the principles involved in understanding a message as originally communicated in one language and cultural setting, and in communicating that message in a very different language and culture. Students will apply theories from different schools of thought regarding communication and the idea of quality in translation.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 493
LING 497

Bible Translation

Provides an overview of the process of Bible translation, paying particular attention to problems related to the translation of sacred texts. Students will apply existing skills in biblical exegesis and linguistic analysis to cross-linguistic communication, with particular consideration given to key biblical concepts and themes, figurative language, identification of genre, and concerns about authenticity among receptor language communities. Special emphasis will also be placed on Bible translation best practices, inclusion of key stakeholders in the translation project context, quality assurance mechanisms, and utilization of tools specific to Bible translation.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 494
LING 493
2025-2026 LING 497

Bible Translation

Provides an overview of the process of Bible translation, paying particular attention to problems related to the translation of sacred texts. Students will apply existing skills in biblical exegesis and linguistic analysis to cross-linguistic communication, with particular consideration given to key biblical concepts and themes, figurative language, identification of genre, and concerns about authenticity among receptor language communities. Special emphasis will also be placed on Bible translation best practices, inclusion of key stakeholders in the translation project context, quality assurance mechanisms, and utilization of tools specific to Bible translation.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 LING 497

Bible Translation

Provides an overview of the process of Bible translation, paying particular attention to problems related to the translation of sacred texts. Students will apply existing skills in biblical exegesis and linguistic analysis to cross-linguistic communication, with particular consideration given to key biblical concepts and themes, figurative language, identification of genre, and concerns about authenticity among receptor language communities. Special emphasis will also be placed on Bible translation best practices, inclusion of key stakeholders in the translation project context, quality assurance mechanisms, and utilization of tools specific to Bible translation.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 493, 494
LING 499

Philosophical Perspectives in Linguistics

This course examines the philosophical bases of human language and communication, with special attention to issues relating to semantics, discourse, lexicon, metaphor, and translation, etc.; all the areas that deal with meaning creation. There is a critical review of some major schools of thought within philosophy of language and hermeneutics. These are examined in light of current insights in text linguistics, cognitive linguistics, and integrational linguistics.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): LING 310, 330, and 360.