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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Special Topics in Linguistics

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

Special Topics in Linguistics

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

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.

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.

Semantics and 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.

Semantics and 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

TESOL Methodology

This course offers an overview of teaching strategies and methodology in TESOL. The focus is on teacher development, utilizing Christian values, and developing leadership skills in the field.

TESOL Methodology

This course offers an overview of teaching strategies and methodology in TESOL. The focus is on teacher development, utilizing Christian values, and developing leadership skills in the field.

Second Language Acquisition

Second language learning and acquisition is an intricate process that involves the dynamic interaction of individual and social variables. This survey course considers a wide range of theories, models, and research that have been proposed to account for this process. Participants are guided to evaluate and consider the implications of different perspectives for second language teaching in a variety of contexts.

Second Language Acquisition

Second language learning and acquisition is an intricate process that involves the dynamic interaction of individual and social variables. This survey course considers a wide range of theories, models, and research that have been proposed to account for this process. Participants are guided to evaluate and consider the implications of different perspectives for second language teaching in a variety of contexts.

Materials Evaluation & Design

Students are exposed to a variety of ESL materials, and learn how to evaluate appropriateness and quality prior to implementation. Issues of audience need, philosophy, and application are discussed. Extension of published materials are examined.

Materials Evaluation & Design

Students are exposed to a variety of ESL materials, and learn how to evaluate appropriateness and quality prior to implementation. Issues of audience need, philosophy, and application are discussed. Extension of published materials are examined.

Classroom Observations

Classroom Observations

Evaluation & Measurement in TESOL

Students examine and evaluate various theories of testing in ESL. Methods of testing grammar, speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills are introduced; criteria for ensuring reliability and validity are explained and then used by students.

Evaluation & Measurement in TESOL

Students examine and evaluate various theories of testing in ESL. Methods of testing grammar, speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills are introduced; criteria for ensuring reliability and validity are explained and then used by students.

Curriculum & Program Design

This course is designed to enable students to design appropriate programs and course sets for ES/FL programs. In addition to examining general English programs, the course focuses on English for Specific Purposes and, in particular, needs analyses and custom course design.

Curriculum & Program Design

This course is designed to enable students to design appropriate programs and course sets for ES/FL programs. In addition to examining general English programs, the course focuses on English for Specific Purposes and, in particular, needs analyses and custom course design.

English Instruction and Arab Cultur

English Instruction and Arab Cultur

Historical and Comparative Linguistics

This course introduces students to language change. It considers how and why languages change and the role of language contact. It also presents different theories and methodologies useful for historical and comparative linguistic investigation. Students will investigate a number of related existing languages from language families around the world, and seek to reconstruct substantial elements of earlier proto-language stages in terms of phonology, morphology, lexicon, and historical dialectology.

Morphosyntax II

This course explores the rich variety of morphological and syntactic constructions and processes found in human language, deepening the students' understanding of morphosyntactic phenomena from a typological perspective. The topics are examined within the framework of a current theory of syntax.

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.

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.

Language and Culture Acquisition: Theory and Praxis

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

Language and Culture Acquisition: Theory and Praxis

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

Orthography

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.

Orthography

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.

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 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.

Language Ecology: Sociolinguistics

An exploration of the language ecology of speech communities around the world. Students engage with both theory and practice related to topics such as multilingualism, language shift, language reclamation, language advocacy, and language policy. Students will conduct sociolinguistic research, communicate research findings, and make practical applications to the language-use goals of speech communities.

Field Method: 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.

Anthropological Linguistics: Ethnography

This course introduces crucial concepts in anthropology and ethnography to linguists. It focuses on cross-cultural communication with an emphasis on participant observation as an effective methodology for such research. Students collect and analyze data related to topics such as oral traditions, kinship, and social structure. They are introduced to various tools for ethno-semantic analysis, including analysis of cultural themes and worldview, semantic domain analysis, and taxonomic analysis.

Issues in Community Literacy

The issues in community literacy work that are covered in this course include various program issues such as introducing literacy in an oral community, motivation for literacy, capacity building and sustainability, training of personnel and evaluation of the program, and using participatory approaches in all aspects of the program.

Language Programs 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.

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.