Graduate Calendar 2006-2007

Linguistics and Applied Language Studies

Paterson Hall 215
Telephone: 520-2802
Fax: 520-6641
E-mail: linguistics@carleton.ca
Web site: carleton.ca/slals

The School

Director: Desmond Allison
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 a focus on language use and the development of language abilities in educational, professional and social contexts. This focus includes:

• The acquisition of additional languages and the development of multilingualism
• Written language and discourse and the critical analysis of their use in various contexts
• The development of writing abilities and literacies
• The teaching and assessment of language abilities and the analysis of the contexts in which these abilities are developed.

Concentration is possible in one of the following fields:

• The Teaching and Acquisition of Additional Languages
• The Nature, Acquisition and Teaching of Written Discourse/Literacies

Students are also able to combine these fields in their course work and research options.

The program is geared toward practitioners in these fields, and to theory- and research-oriented students interested in pursuing doctoral studies in related areas.

The M.A. in Applied Language Studies is a 5.0-credit program. Students may take one of three optional program paths: a thesis option (in which the thesis counts as two full credits), a research essay option (where the research essay counts as one credit), and a course work option.

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

Qualifying-Year Program

Applicants in the following categories may be admit ted to a qualifying year program to be determined in accordance with university entrance regulations and the guidance of the supervisor of graduate studies, or advised to apply for the CTESL program as an equivalent to the qualifying year:

• applicants who hold a three year degree with the equivalent of honours standing (at least B overall);
• applicants who hold an honours degree but lack academic background in relevant disciplines;
• applicants with a slightly lower academic standing (B-) but with relevant professional experience.

At the end of the qualifying year program, the School will determine the student's eligibility to enter the master's program. Courses taken as part of a qualifying year or equivalent are not eligible for advanced standing in the M.A. program.

Master of Arts

Admission Requirements

The normal minimum 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 (a minimum of B+ in related courses and B overall) in their academic work. Relevant professional experience may also enhance a candidate's application.

For other admission regulations not specific to the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, refer to the General Regulations section of the Graduate Calendar, in particular the subsection on Admission Requirements and Eligibility.

Program Requirements

Students will establish their programs in consultation with the School's supervisor of graduate studies.

Each candidate will select one of the following program paths:

• LALS 5001; L ALS 5002 plus 2.0 credits from the School's graduate listing; and a master's thesis (LALS 5909).
• LALS 5001; LALS 5002 plus 3.0 credits from the School's graduate listing; and a research essay (LALS 5908).
• LALS 5001; LALS 5002 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 courses at the senior undergraduate (4th year) level up to a maximum of 1.0 credit. Permission of the School's graduate supervisor is required. Students may take a combination of senior undergraduate courses and «piggybacked» courses (fourth-year courses also offered, with different requirements, at the graduate level) up to a maximum of 1.5 credits.

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 2006-2007 and to determine the term of offering, consult the Registration Instructions and Class Schedule booklet, published in the summer and available online at carleton.ca/cu/programs/sched_dates/

For an updated description of Special Topics offerings, refer to the on-line version of the Linguistics and Applied Language Studies calendar entry at gs.carleton.ca/calendars/current/programs/linguistics.html

LALS 5001 [0.5 credit]

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 5002 [0.5 credit]

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.

Precludes additional credit for LALS 5502.

LALS 5201 [0.5 credit]

Language Classroom Research

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

LALS 5202 [0.5 credit]

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]

Issues in English Language Teaching/Teacher Education

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

LALS 5204 [0.5 credit]

Seminar in University Teaching

Theoretical and empirical work related to teaching in higher education. Analysis of instructional discourse, use of language in classroom decision-making, bases of effective practice and methods of instruction. Constructivist principles of teaching and learning. Role of teaching in university scholarship.

Precludes additional credit for LALS 5905 (Section T, 1997-98), LALS 5905 (Section X, 1998-99), LALS 5905 (Section W, 1999-2000), LALS 5905 (Section W, 2000-01), LALS 5905 (Section X, 2001-02) and LALS 5905 ( Section W, 2002-03).

LALS 5205 [1.0 credit]

Teaching English as a Second Language: Methodology

Classification of classroom teaching methods and materials; adaptation of teaching materials for particular situations; creation of teaching materials; teaching techniques and strategies. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as LALS 4205, for which additional credit is precluded. Must be taken concurrently with LALS 5206.

LALS 5206 [0.5 credit]

Practicum in Teaching English as a Second Language: Experience in an ESL Teaching Situation

Integrates the academic dimension of the program with practical work. Observation in ESL classes and possible assistance with teaching materials or classes. Must be taken concurrently with LALS 5205.

LALS 5208 [0.5 credit]

Languages for Specific Purposes (LSP)

Introduction to LSP, a sub-field of applied linguistics tailoring language instruction to specific groups of learners. Developments in strands of LSP (English for Science, Business, etc.). Research and teaching methodology. Emphasis on English for Academic Purposes/English for Specific Purposes research and instruction at Carleton.

Also offered at the undergraduate level with different requirements as LALS 4208, for which additional credit is precluded.

LALS 5401 [0.5 credit]

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]

Learning Across the Disciplines: A Research Practicum

For practising teachers or gradua te 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]

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]

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 LALS 5905 (2001-02).

LALS 5501 [0.5 credit]

Language Testing

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

LALS 5504 [0.5 credit]

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]

Critical Applied Linguistics

Approaches and methods of critica l 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]

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 LALS 5905 (Summer 1999), and LALS 5905 (Summer 2002).

LALS 5605 [0.5 credit]

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]

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]

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]

Academic and Workplace Genres

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

LALS 5704 [0.5 credit]

Research in Adult Literacy

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

LALS 5705 [0.5 credit]

Second Language Writing: Research and Theory

Second language writing: research, theory, and pedagogy.

LALS 5706 [0.5 credit]

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]

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 5709 [0.5 credit]

Systemic-Functional Linguistics

Functions of language in the exchange of meanings between people in a wide variety of communicative situations. Semantic and syntactic resources at risk in these different contexts. Interactions between language and the social context.

Also offered as at the undergraduate level as LALS 4709, for which additional credit is precluded.

Prerequisite: open only to graduate students in Applied Language Studies and Journalism and Comm unication.

LALS 5801 [0.5 credit]

Major Structures of English

The structure of English language, highlighting important contrasts between English and other languages and grammatical difficulties for ESL Learners. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements as LALS 4801, for which additional credit is precluded.

LALS 5902 [0.5 credit]

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 5903 [0.5 credit]

Special Topics in the Teaching and Acquisition of Additional Languages

Exploration of topics from current research into the teaching and acquisition of additional languages. Topic to be announced.

LALS 5904 [0.5 credit]

Special Topics in Written Discourse/Literacies

Exploration of topics from current research into the nature, acquisition and teaching of written discourse/literacies. Topic to be announced.

LALS 5905 [0.5 credit]

Special Topics in Applied Language Studies

Exploration of a topic from current research in applied language studies. Topic to be announced.

LALS 5907 [1.0 credit]

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]

Research Essay

LALS 5909 [2.0 credits]

M.A. Thesis