Director

Amanda Brown
abrown08@syr.edu
323C H.B. Crouse Hall

Graduate Advisors

Christopher Green
cgreen10@syr.edu
340A H.B. Crouse Hall
 
Adam Singerman
asingerm@syr.edu
332 H.B. Crouse Hall

Faculty

Core LIN faculty and advisors: Amanda Brown, Christopher R. Green, Rania Habib, Jaklin Kornfilt, Kenji Oda, Michael Rieppel, Robert A. Rubinstein, Adam Roth Singerman, Maria Emma Ticio Quesada, Jeffrey Stanton, Victoria Tumanova

Select affiliated faculty: Janice Dowell, Kevan Edwards, Jonathan Preston, Rob Pusch, Angela Ramnarine-Rieks, Erica Shumener, Sylvia Sierra, Louise Wilkinson

Program Description

This program provides the student with intensive and advanced education in linguistics and language-related study. The student works with the concentration advisor in one of six concentration areas:

• Language Acquisition;
• Language, Culture, and Society;
• Linguistic Theory;
• Logic and Language;
• Natural Language Processing; and
• Teaching languages (English Language Teaching/Foreign Language Teaching)

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Evaluate claims about human communication and about the innate language competence in humans
2. Evaluate claims about the history and structure of specific languages and the universal principles that underlie the knowledge of all languages
3. Evaluate claims about the role of language in culture and society
4. a. Concentration in Language Acquisition: Evaluate claims about social, cognitive and physiological aspects of language in language acquisition.
   b. Concentration in Language, Culture and Society: Evaluate claims about the inter-relationships among languages, cultures, and the communities in which the languages and cultures exist.
   c. Concentration in Linguistic Theory: Evaluate claims about the human capacity for language by examining the structure of one or more languages.
   d. Concentration in Logic and Language: Evaluate claims about formal logic as a language and as a part of natural and/or programming languages.
   e. Concentration in Natural Language Processing: Apply computational and linguistic tools to the processing and generation of natural and artificial languages.
   f. Concentration in Teaching Languages: Apply linguistic and technological tools in the teaching of languages

Program Requirements

The M.A. degree requires 30 credits of graduate coursework. 12 credits are fulfilled by taking the following Core courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
LIN 601	Introductory Linguistic Analysis	3
LIN 631	Phonological Analysis	3
LIN 641	Syntactic Analysis	3
LIN 674	Topics in Sociolinguistics	3

The remaining 18 credits come from one of the six concentration areas with the approval of the advisor for that concentration area. All four Core courses and all required courses within a student’s concentration area must be completed with a grade of B or better; all other courses must be completed with a grade of B- or better. A thesis may be substituted for 6 credits of course work subject to the approval of the concentration advisor. All students must successfully complete three comprehensive examinations; one in Syntax, one in Phonology, and one in Sociolinguistics. All students must also either successfully complete a comprehensive examination in their concentration area, or successfully write and defend a thesis in their concentration area.

The student works with the concentration advisor in one of six concentration areas. Equivalent or alternative courses may be substituted for any of the courses listed below by approval of the program. Be aware that certain courses may have prerequisites, e.g., CSD 616 Introduction to Applied Phonetics must be taken before CSD 638 Speech Sound Disorders; LIN 601 Introductory Linguistic Analysis must be taken before several courses; LIN 631 Phonological Analysis must be taken in year one in order to take LIN 731 Advanced Phonology; and LIN 641 Syntactic Analysis must be taken in year one in order to take LIN 741 Advanced Syntax.

Language Acquisition

Concentration Advisor

Victoria Tumanova
Associate Professor
Office: 621 Skytop Suite 1200
Tel: 315-443-9640
Email: vtumanov@syr.edu

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Linguistics Core Courses
LIN 601	Introductory Linguistic Analysis	3
LIN 631	Phonological Analysis	3
LIN 641	Syntactic Analysis	3
LIN 674	Topics in Sociolinguistics	3
Concentration Area Required Courses
CSD 622	Development of Speech and Language (required)	3
Select three of the following:		9
CSD 616	Introduction to Applied Phonetics
CSD 623	Language Disorders of Early Childhood
CSD 627	Speech and Language Disorders in Children
CSD 638	Speech Sound Disorders
CSD 731	Language Disorders in School-Age Children
LIN 621	Introduction to Methods and Content Development for Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE
LIN 622	Advanced Methods and Content Development for Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE
LIN 671	Dimensions of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism
LIN 673	Language Variation and Change
LIN 675	Forensic Linguistics
LIN 692	Second Language Acquisition
Concentration Area Elective Courses
From the list of any of the courses from the Concentration Area Required Courses that were not counted for the Core, all remaining graduate-level LIN courses and the additional courses listed below, in consultation with your concentration advisor, choose a combination of any two courses.		6
LIN 603	Language Universals and Typology
LIN 605	Linguistic Structure of English
LIN 606	Field Methods in Linguistics
LIN 607	Structure of Japanese
LIN 608	Japanese Language in Society
LIN 611	Semantics of Human Languages
LIN 612	Meaning and Communication
LIN 626	Structure of Standard Arabic
LIN 651	Morphological Analysis
LIN 661	Introduction to Historical Linguistics
LIN 681	Global Communication Through World Englishes
LIN 731	Advanced Phonology
LIN 741	Advanced Syntax
CSD 609	Cognitive Neuroscience of Speech and Language
RED 613	Teaching Comprehension
Thesis Option
In substitution for 6 credits (2 Elective courses, or 1 Elective course and 1 Language Development course), the student may prepare a thesis under the supervision of the concentration advisor or other faculty participating in the Program on a topic approved by the Program.
Total Credits		30

Language, Culture, and Society

Concentration Advisor

Robert A. Rubinstein
Professor
Office: 209 Maxwell Hall
Tel: 315-443-1011
Email: rar@syr.edu

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Linguistics Core Courses
LIN 601	Introductory Linguistic Analysis	3
LIN 631	Phonological Analysis	3
LIN 641	Syntactic Analysis	3
LIN 674	Topics in Sociolinguistics	3
Concentration Area Required Courses
LIN 672	Language, Culture, and Society	3
LIN 673	Language Variation and Change	3
Concentration Area Elective Courses
From the list of all remaining graduate-level LIN courses and the additional courses listed below, in consultation with your concentration advisor, choose a combination of any two courses.		6
LIN 603	Language Universals and Typology
LIN 605	Linguistic Structure of English
LIN 606	Field Methods in Linguistics
LIN 607	Structure of Japanese
LIN 608	Japanese Language in Society
LIN 611	Semantics of Human Languages
LIN 612	Meaning and Communication
LIN 621	Introduction to Methods and Content Development for Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE
LIN 622	Advanced Methods and Content Development for Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE
LIN 626	Structure of Standard Arabic
LIN 651	Morphological Analysis
LIN 661	Introduction to Historical Linguistics
LIN 671	Dimensions of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism
LIN 675	Forensic Linguistics
LIN 681	Global Communication Through World Englishes
LIN 692	Second Language Acquisition
LIN 731	Advanced Phonology
LIN 741	Advanced Syntax
CRS 630	Intercultural Communication
SPA 637	Introduction to Spanish Linguistics
Foreign Language Requirement
The student must have the equivalent of advanced language competency in a European language or one year of non-Western language. If language competency is already achieved, the student may take 2 additional elective courses.		6
Thesis Option
In substitution for six of the elective credits, the student may prepare a thesis under the supervision of the concentration advisor or other faculty participating in the Program and on a topic approved by the Program.
Total Credits		30

Linguistic Theory

Concentration Advisor

Kenji Oda
Assistant Teaching Professor
Office: 215 HBC
Email: koda100@syr.edu​

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Linguistics Core Courses
LIN 601	Introductory Linguistic Analysis	3
LIN 631	Phonological Analysis	3
LIN 641	Syntactic Analysis	3
LIN 674	Topics in Sociolinguistics	3
Concentration Area Required Courses
Select 3 courses from the list below in consultation with your advisor:		9
LIN 611	Semantics of Human Languages
LIN 612	Meaning and Communication
LIN 651	Morphological Analysis
LIN 661	Introduction to Historical Linguistics
LIN 731	Advanced Phonology
LIN 741	Advanced Syntax
Note: LIN 731 and LIN 741 are required when offered.
Concentration Area Elective Courses
From the list of any of the courses from the Concentration Area Required Courses that were not counted for the Core, all remaining graduate-level LIN courses, and the additional courses listed below, in consultation with your concentration advisor, choose a combination of any two courses.		6
LIN 603	Language Universals and Typology
LIN 605	Linguistic Structure of English
LIN 606	Field Methods in Linguistics
LIN 607	Structure of Japanese
LIN 608	Japanese Language in Society
LIN 621	Introduction to Methods and Content Development for Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE
LIN 622	Advanced Methods and Content Development for Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE
LIN 626	Structure of Standard Arabic
LIN 671	Dimensions of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism
LIN 673	Language Variation and Change
LIN 675	Forensic Linguistics
LIN 681	Global Communication Through World Englishes
LIN 692	Second Language Acquisition
CIS 668/IST 664	Natural Language Processing
CSD 622	Development of Speech and Language
PHI 551	Mathematical Logic
PHI 552	Modal Logic
PHI 651	Logic and Language
PHI 665	Problems in Philosophy of Language
SPA 636	The Structure of Spanish
Foreign Language Requirements
Students will fulfill the Foreign Language Requirement for the Linguistic Theory concentration in one of two ways, with prior consultation with and approval from the Concentration Advisor:		3
1A. (LANGUAGE DESIGNATION) 620: Successfully complete (grade no lower than a B-) a full semester of attendance at a language course (other than the student’s native language, English, or another language that the student has significant familiarity with).
And:
1B. Language Structure Analysis: Satisfactorily complete two papers (of approximately 15 single-spaced pages each), one on the phonology and one on the syntax of the particular language.
Or:
2. Successfully complete one of the following:
LIN 606	Field Methods in Linguistics (when offered)
LIN 626	Structure of Standard Arabic (when offered)
Students who fulfill the Foreign Language Requirement for the Linguistic Theory concentration by choosing either one of the options in 2 must complete two papers (of approximately 15 single-spaced pages each): one on the phonology and one on the syntax of the language under investigation. These papers are to be written in addition to any requirements of the course taken and should be written while or immediately after taking the relevant course.
Thesis Option
In substitution for six of the elective credits, the student may prepare a thesis under the supervision of the concentration advisor and other faculty participating in the Program and on a topic approved by the Program.
Total Credits		30

Logic and Language

Concentration Advisor

Michael Rieppel
Associate Professor
Office: 523 Hall of Languages
Tel: 315-443-5821
Email: morieppe@syr.edu​

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Linguistics Core Courses
LIN 601	Introductory Linguistic Analysis	3
LIN 631	Phonological Analysis	3
LIN 641	Syntactic Analysis	3
LIN 674	Topics in Sociolinguistics	3
Concentration Area Required Courses
PHI 651	Logic and Language	3
LIN 611	Semantics of Human Languages	3
Students may substitute one of the following for PHI 651:
PHI 551	Mathematical Logic
PHI 552	Modal Logic
Concentration Area Elective Courses
Select 6-12 credits from from the following:		6-12
a. Elective courses may include any of the courses from the Concentration Area Required Courses that were not counted for the Core
b. Any concentration-advisor-approved graduate linguistic (LIN) course
c. Any concentration-advisor-approved philosophy (PHI) course numbered 700 or above
d. Any of the following
LIN 612	Meaning and Communication
LIN 673	Language Variation and Change
LIN 675	Forensic Linguistics
LIN 741	Advanced Syntax
PHI 565	Philosophy of Language
PHI 573	Philosophy of Physical Science
PHI 575	Philosophy of Social Science
PHI 576	Philosophy of Mind
PHI 665	Problems in Philosophy of Language
PHI 673	The Structure of Science
PHI 687	Proseminar: Language, Epistemology, Mind and Metaphysics
Structure of a Language Option
Select up to 6 credits of study in a structure of a language course:		0-6
LIN 605	Linguistic Structure of English
LIN 606	Field Methods in Linguistics
LIN 607	Structure of Japanese
LIN 626	Structure of Standard Arabic
SPA 637	Introduction to Spanish Linguistics
Thesis Option
In substitution for six of the elective credits, the student may prepare a thesis under the supervision of the concentration advisor and other faculty participating in the Program and on a topic approved by the Program.
Total Credits		24-36

Natural Language Processing

Concentration Advisor

Jeffrey Stanton
Professor
323E Hinds Hall
Email: jmstanto@syr.edu

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Linguistics Core Courses
LIN 601	Introductory Linguistic Analysis	3
LIN 631	Phonological Analysis	3
LIN 641	Syntactic Analysis	3
LIN 674	Topics in Sociolinguistics	3
Concentration Area Required Courses
CIS 668/IST 664	Natural Language Processing	3
IST 736	Large Language Models in Information Contexts	3
The Concentration Area Required Courses should be taken in sequence.
Concentration Area Elective Courses
Select four courses from the list below in consultation with your advisor. One course must be from list A.		12
List A
IST 616	Introduction to Information Organization and Access
IST 649	Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction
IST 652	Scripting for Data Analysis
IST 659	Data Administration Concepts and Database Management
IST 676	Digital Curation
IST 681	Metadata
IST 687	Introduction to Applied Data Science
IST 707	Machine Learning
IST 718	Big Data Analytics
IST 719	Data Visualization
IST 722	Data Warehouse
IST 769	Advanced Big Data Management
IST 777	Statistical Methods in Information Science and Technology
LIN 611	Semantics of Human Languages
LIN 651	Morphological Analysis
LIN 741	Advanced Syntax
List B
LIN 603	Language Universals and Typology
LIN 605	Linguistic Structure of English
LIN 606	Field Methods in Linguistics
LIN 607	Structure of Japanese
LIN 608	Japanese Language in Society
LIN 612	Meaning and Communication
LIN 621	Introduction to Methods and Content Development for Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE
LIN 622	Advanced Methods and Content Development for Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE
LIN 626	Structure of Standard Arabic
LIN 661	Introduction to Historical Linguistics
LIN 671	Dimensions of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism
LIN 675	Forensic Linguistics
LIN 681	Global Communication Through World Englishes
LIN 692	Second Language Acquisition
LIN 731	Advanced Phonology
CSD 645	Speech Science
PHI 651	Logic and Language
Thesis Option
In substitution for six of the elective credits, the student may prepare a thesis under the supervision of the concentration advisor or other faculty participating in the Program and on a topic approved by the Program.
Total Credits		30

Teaching Languages (English Language Teaching/Foreign Language Teaching)

Concentration Advisor

Amanda Brown
Associate Professor and Program Director
Office: 323C HBC
Email: abrown08@syr.edu​

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Linguistics Core Courses
LIN 601	Introductory Linguistic Analysis	3
LIN 631	Phonological Analysis	3
LIN 641	Syntactic Analysis	3
LIN 674	Topics in Sociolinguistics	3
Concentration Area Required Courses
LIN 621	Introduction to Methods and Content Development for Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE	3
LIN 622	Advanced Methods and Content Development for Language Teaching: TESOL/TLOTE	3
Concentration Area Elective Courses
List A
Select two of the following courses in consultation with the concentration advisor:		6
Assessment
EDU 655	Education Tests and Measurements
IDE 641	Techniques in Educational Evaluation
IDE 741	Concepts and Issues in Educational Evaluation
Language Acquisition
CSD 622	Development of Speech and Language
LIN 671	Dimensions of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism
LIN 692	Second Language Acquisition
Learning Populations
CSD 623	Language Disorders of Early Childhood
CSD 731	Language Disorders in School-Age Children
EDU 610	The American School
ELL 645	Issues in Educating English Language Learners
HED 605	The American College and University
Literacy
RED 607	Issues in Multicultural Literacy
RED 613	Teaching Comprehension
RED 616	Academic Language and Reading
RED 626	Early Intervention for Children's Reading Problems
Materials Design
IDE 611	Technologies for Instructional Settings
IDE 621	Principles of Instruction and Learning
IDE 631	Instructional Design and Development I
IDE 632	Instructional Design and Development II
IDE 656	Computers as Critical Thinking Tools
IDE 736	Motivation in Learning and Instruction
Program Management
HED 621	Principles and Practices of Student Affairs Administration
IDE 761	Strategies in Educational Project Management
Data Exploration and Management
IST 659	Data Administration Concepts and Database Management
IST 664	Natural Language Processing
IST 681	Metadata
IST 686	Quantitative Reasoning for Data Science
IST 736	Large Language Models in Information Contexts
List B
Select two of the following courses in consultation with the concentration advisor:
Language & Society; Language Structure
From the list of all remaining graduate-level LIN courses and the courses listed below, in consultation with your concentration advisor, choose a combination of any two courses.		6
LIN 603	Language Universals and Typology
LIN 605	Linguistic Structure of English
LIN 606	Field Methods in Linguistics
LIN 607	Structure of Japanese
LIN 608	Japanese Language in Society
LIN 611	Semantics of Human Languages
LIN 612	Meaning and Communication
LIN 626	Structure of Standard Arabic
LIN 651	Morphological Analysis
LIN 661	Introduction to Historical Linguistics
LIN 681	Global Communication Through World Englishes
LIN 731	Advanced Phonology
LIN 741	Advanced Syntax
CFE 640	Inequality and Intergroup Relations in Education
CRS 630	Intercultural Communication
CSD 616	Introduction to Applied Phonetics
PHI 565	Philosophy of Language
PHI 651	Logic and Language
SPA 635	Spanish Phonetics and Phonology
SPA 636	The Structure of Spanish
SPA 637	Introduction to Spanish Linguistics
Thesis Option
In substitution for six of the elective credits (three from list A and three from list B), the student may prepare a thesis under the supervision of the concentration advisor or other faculty participating in the Program and on a topic approved by the Program.
Total Credits		30