Graduate Calendar Archives: 2001 / 2002

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies

The School

The School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies offers programs of study leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Applied Language Studies. Applied language studies may be distinguished by their focus on language learning, especially the acquisition of literacy and/or second languages, in a variety of contexts.

The program is geared largely towards practitioners in the field, and is aimed at enhancing their understanding of:

* discourse processes and social contexts for language use

* first and/or second language acquisition and development

* educational contexts for and testing of such acquisition

Concentration is possible in one of the following three fields:

* English as a second language

* the acquisition and development of writing abilities

* adult literacy

In addition, individual programs may be drawn up for students who are interested in the connection among any of these three fields.

Additional information may be obtained by consulting the supervisor of graduate studies.

Qualifying-Year Program

Applicants who hold a 3 year degree with honours standing (at least B overall) may be admitted to the qualifying-year program. Normally, these students will be required to complete 5.0 credits in accordance with the advice of the graduate supervisor. At the end of the qualifying-year program, the School will determine the student's eligibility to enter the master's program.

Master of Arts

Admission Requirements

The normal requirement for admission to the master's program is a B.A.(Honours) degree in a discipline involving the analysis of language or the study of language use or learning; or a 3 year B.A. in a relevant discipline together with a B.Ed. or C.T.E.S.L. Students must have achieved high honours standing (at least B+ in related courses and B- overall) in their academic work. Relevant professional experience is also seriously considered in admissions decisions. In some cases substantial professional experience and related professional development may be accepted as an alternative to certain formal academic work. Students whose previous studies include little work relevant to applied language studies may be required to take up to two additional 1.0 credit courses for the master's degree.

Program Requirements

Students will establish their programs in consultation with an adviser from the School.

Each candidate will select one of the following program paths:

* Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.552; 29.501; plus 2.0 credits from the School's graduate listing; and a master's thesis (29.599).

* Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.552; 29.501; plus 3.0 credits from the School's graduate listing; and a research essay (29.598).

* Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.552; 29.501; plus 4.0 credits from the School's graduate listing.

The choice of thesis, research essay, or credit program path will be made by the student, with the advice of the Supervisor. Relevant factors will include the student's academic goals, professional goals, and background knowledge.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.501 is normally to be taken in the first fall term after admission to the program.

Permission may be granted for enrollment in 1.0 credit offered in another department.

Graduate students may take the equivalent of 1.0 full credit at the senior undergraduate level, with the permission of the School adviser.

Guidelines for Completion of Master's Degree

It is expected that students will progress steadily towards the completion of requirements for the degree. In particular, it is normally expected that:

* a full-time student will complete 3.0 credits of course work within two terms of study, and an acceptable thesis proposal early in the third term of study; or 4.0 credits of course work within three terms, and an acceptable research essay proposal early in the fourth term; and all degree requirements within six terms of study

* a part-time student will complete 3.0 credits of course work within three years of initial registration, and an acceptable thesis proposal early in the fourth year; or 4.0 credits of course work within four years, and an acceptable research essay proposal early in the fifth year; and all degree requirements within six years of initial registration

* a student who registers in a combination of full-time and part-time study will, in consultation with an adviser, develop a schedule for completion of course requirements and a thesis or research essay proposal, consistent with times to completion stated above and with the overall time limits specified in the General Regulations section in this Calendar

Academic Standing

A standing of B- or better must be obtained in each credit counted towards the master's degree.

Graduate Courses

Not all of the following courses are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for 2001-2002, please consult the Registration Instructions and Class Schedule booklet published in the summer.

F,W,S indicates term of offering. Courses offered in the fall and winter are followed by T. The number following the letter indicates the credit weight of the course: 1 denotes 0.5 credit, 2 denotes 1.0 credit.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.501F1 or W1 or S1

Directions in Applied Language Studies

A survey of current research directions in applied language studies and an introduction to ongoing research in the School. The course introduces students to the scope of theory and practice in the field.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.521F1 or W1 or S1

Language Classroom Research

Research into language learning in the classroom; methods for evaluating classroom practices and materials.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.522F1 or W1 or S1

Curriculum Design in ESL

Current theory and practice in ESL curriculum design in the light of recent research in linguistics, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, and language acquisition studies.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.523F1 or W1 or S1

Issues in English Language Teaching/Teacher Education

A research seminar to explore current issues in English Language teaching/teacher education.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.541F1 or W1 or S1

Rhetoric and Argument in the Human, Social and Natural Sciences

The degree to which rhetorical considerations shape the construction of arguments within disciplinary communities. How disciplinary and socio-historical conditions shape scientific communities' criteria for what is accepted as persuasive. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.441, for which additional credit is precluded.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.542F1 or W1 or S1

Learning Across the Disciplines: A Research Practicum

For practising teachers or graduate student teachers, or tutors. Theories about and research into the role of language in learning and pedagogic situations which optimize that relationship. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.442, for which additional credit is precluded.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.543F1 or W1 or S1

Language in the Classroom

Learning through language; studies of the use of language (as a resource for education) in the classroom; methods for evaluating the effectiveness of classroom discourse practices.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.545F1 or W1 or S1

Written Language, Representation and Cognition

Language and thought; social formation of mind and language; written and spoken discourse compared; models and taxonomies of written discourse; modes (narrative, exposition, argument) in traditional rhetoric and contemporary research; concepts of function and levels of abstracting.

Precludes additional credit for Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.563 (taken prior to 1997-98).

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.551F1 or W1 or S1

Language Testing

Methods for the development of tests; analytic techniques, including classical and IRT methods; research in test-taking and test evaluation.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.552F1 or W1 or S1

Inquiry Strategies in Applied Language Studies

A consideration of various approaches to the design of studies and the collection and analysis of data. Naturalistic and quasi-experimental methods will be discussed. The role of statistics in disciplined inquiry, including an introduction to elementary procedures.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.554F1 or W1 or S1

Evaluation in Applied Language Programs

An examination of various evaluation paradigms and their application to problems of program and curriculum in applied language settings; the connections among and differences between research and evaluation models of inquiry.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.558F1 or W1 or S1

Critical Applied Linguistics

Approaches and methods of critical applied linguistics, including historical analysis, accounts and narratives, and discourse analysis. Application to areas such as language and gender, language in education and language policy.

Prerequisite: Honours courses in linguistics or permission of the School.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.561F1 or W1 or S1

Language Acquisition

Current models of first and second language acquisition, with emphasis on empirical studies. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.462, for which additional credit is precluded.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.564F1 or W1 or S1

Aspects of Language Development

Empirical study of the development of syntax and the expansion of communicative competence during the years of formal education; pedagogical implications.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.565F1 or W1 or S1

Writing Research and Theory: Overview of Recent and Current Approaches

Overview of trends and directions in composition research and theory since the 1970s, from the reinvention of rhetorical theory, to the application of cognitive models in research on composing, and the more recent importation of social constructivist paradigms.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.566F1 or W1 or S1

Adult Literacy Acquisition

Studies of adult literacy learners; theories of adult learning; relations between literacy and other linguistic abilities; pedagogical implications.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.571F1 or W1 or S1

Aspects of Bilingualism

Aspects of the psycholinguistics and sociolinguistics of bilingualism.

Prerequisite: Honours courses in linguistics or permission of the School.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.573F1 or W1 or S1

Academic and Workplace Genres

Overview of current reconceptualizations of genre as social action; recent research into the nature of school-based, professional, and workplace discourse; issues relating to genre acquisition and pedagogy.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.574F1 or W1 or S1

Research in Adult Literacy

Studies in adult reading; methods of identifying adult reading needs; sociolinguistics of adult reading.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.575F1 or W1 or S1

Second Language Writing: Research and Theory

Second language writing: research, theory, and pedagogy.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.576F1 or W1 or S1

Writing Research and Theory: Social and Cultural Dimensions

Recent research in the social and cultural dimensions of learning to read and write; the uses and impact of written discourse in social contexts; writing in modern societies; the impact of electronic technology.

Precludes additional credit for Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.572 (taken prior to 1997-98).

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.577F1 or W1 or S1

Language Policy and Planning

Analysis of interaction of political, social and cultural factors in the planning and implementation of language policy, with particular emphasis on the case of English in a selection of socio-political contexts.

Prerequisite: Honours courses in linguistics or permission of the School.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.592F1 or W1 or S1

Tutorial in Applied Language Studies

A one-term tutorial to study applications of linguistics in such areas as first-language education and second-language teaching.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.595F1 or W1 or S1

Special Topics in Applied Language Studies

Exploration of a topic from current research in applied language studies. Students should check with the School regarding the topic addressed in any term.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.597T2

Tutorial in Applied Language Studies

A two-term tutorial to study applications of linguistics in such areas as first-language education and second-language teaching.

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.598F2 or W2 or S2

Research Essay

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 29.599F4 or W4 or S4

M.A. Thesis