Graduate Calendar Archives: 2003 / 2004

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies

The School

Director, To be announced

Supervisor of Graduate Studies, Devon Woods

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 three-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:

• LALS 5502; LALS 5001; plus 2.0 credits from the School's graduate listing; and a master's thesis (LALS 5909).
• LALS 5502; LALS 5001; plus 3.0 credits from the School's graduate listing; and a research essay (LALS 5908).
• LALS 5502; LALS 5001; 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.

LALS 5001 is normally to be taken in the first fall term after admission to the program.

Permission may be granted for enrolment 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 2003-2004 and to determine the term of offering, consult the Registration Instructions and Class Schedule booklet, published in the summer and also available online at www.carleton.ca/cu/programs/sched_dates/

Course Designation System

Carleton's course designation system has been restructured. The first entry of each course description below is the new alphanumeric Carleton course code, followed by its credit value in brackets. The old Carleton course number (in parentheses) is included for reference, where applicable.

LALS 5001 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.501)

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.

LALS 5201 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.521)

Language Classroom Research

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

LALS 5202 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.522)

Curriculum in Language Teaching

Current theory and practice in language curriculum development and evaluation in the light of recent research in linguistics, sociolinguistics, language acquisition and language education policy.

LALS 5203 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.523)

Issues in English Language Teaching/Teacher Education

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

LALS 5401 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.541)

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 LALS 4401, for which additional credit is precluded.

LALS 5402 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.542)

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 LALS 4402, for which additional credit is precluded.

LALS 5403 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.543)

Language in the Classroom

Language use and development in Canadian mainstream classrooms; language development in the years of primary and secondary education; learning through language; classroom discourse; pedagogical implications.

LALS 5405 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.545)

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 LALS 5603 (taken prior to 1997-98).

LALS 5406 [0.5 credit]

Inquiry into Academic Writing

The nature and practice of academic writing in various fields. Texts and contexts of academic writing. Modern theories of writing and learning serve as the theoretical basis. Precludes additional credit for 29.595F (2001-02) and 29.595W (2001-02).

LALS 5501 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.551)

Language Testing

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

LALS 5502 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.552)

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.

LALS 5504 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.554)

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.

LALS 5508 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.558)

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.

LALS 5601 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.561)

Language Acquisition

Recent models of first and second language acquisition, with in-depth analysis of theoretical issues of current relevance and related empirical studies.

LALS 5603 [0.5 credit]

Pedagogical Grammar in SL/FL Teaching

The concept of pedagogical grammar in second and foreign language teaching. Critical examination of recent theories of "focus on form" in communicative language classrooms, and related empirical work. Precludes additional credit for 29.595S (Summer 1999), and 29.595S (Summer 2002).

LALS 5605 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.565)

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.

LALS 5606 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.566)

Adult Literacy Acquisition

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

LALS 5701 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.571)

Aspects of Bilingualism

Linguistic, psycholinguistic and cultural issues in bilingualism and bilingual education.

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

LALS 5703 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.573)

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.

LALS 5704 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.574)

Research in Adult Literacy

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

LALS 5705 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.575)

Second Language Writing: Research and Theory

Second language writing: research, theory, and pedagogy.

LALS 5706 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.576)

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 LALS 5702 (taken prior to 1997-98).

LALS 5707 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.577)

Language Policy and Planning

Analysis of interaction of political, social, and cultural factors in the planning and implementation of language policy in international contexts.

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

LALS 5708 [0.5 credit]

Critical Discourse Analysis

The role of discourse in the structuring of social and cultural change. Critical analysis of discourse in a wide range of contexts such as the media and education. Precludes additional credit for 29.595W (1998-99) and 29.595W (1999-2000).

LALS 5902 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.592)

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.

LALS 5905 [0.5 credit] (formerly 29.595)

Special Topics in Applied Language Studies

Exploration of a topic from current research in applied language studies. Topic for 2003-2004: Major Structures of English. Structure of the English language; contrasts between English and other languages as well as grammatical difficulties for ESL learners. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as LALS 4801, for which additional credit is precluded.

LALS 5907 [1.0 credit] (formerly 29.597)

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.

LALS 5908 [1.0 credit] (formerly 29.598)

Research Essay

LALS 5909 [2.0 credits] (formerly 29.599)

M.A. Thesis