Department of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies
Paterson Hall 249
Telephone: 520-2802
Fax: 520-2642
E-mail address: linguistics@carleton.ca
The Department
Chair of the Department: J.M. Yalden
Departmental Supervisor of Graduate Studies: Aviva Freedman
The Department 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 practitionners 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 departmental
supervisor of graduate studies.
Qualifying-Year Program
Applicants who hold a pass 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 (or the
equivalent) in accordance with the advice of the graduate supervisor.
At the end of the qualifying-year program, the department 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
an honours B.A. degree in a discipline involving the analysis
of language or the study of language use or learning; or a pass
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 department.
Each candidate will select one of the following program paths:
- Linguistics 29.552: Inquiry Strategies in Applied Language
Studies, Linguistics 29.501: Directions in Applied Language Studies,
plus 2.0 credits (or the equivalent) from the department's graduate
listing and a master's thesis (29.599)
- Linguistics 29.552: Inquiry Strategies in Applied Language
Studies, Linguistics 29.501: Directions in Applied Language Studies,
plus 3.0 credits (or the equivalent) from the department's graduate
listing and a research essay (29.598)
Linguistics 29.501 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 one full credit at
the senior undergraduate level, with the permission of the departmental
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*
The following is a list of all courses at the graduate level.
Please note that not all courses are offered every year.
Students should consult the university and departmental timetables
published early in July for a list of courses offered in 1996-97
and scheduling information.
- Linguistics 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 Department. The
course introduces students to the scope of theory and practice
in the field.
- Linguistics 29.521F1 or W1 or S1
Language Classroom Research
Research into language learning in the classroom; methods for
evaluating classroom practices and materials.
- Linguistics 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 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 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.
Before 1996-97, course 29.545 was offered as 29.563.
- Linguistics 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 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 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 29.561F1 or W1 or S1
Language Acquisition
Current models of first and second language acquisition, with
emphasis on empirical studies.
- Linguistics 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 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 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 29.571F1 or W1 or S1
Linguistic Aspects of Canadian Bilingualism
The sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics of different kinds
of bilingualism in Canada, with special emphasis on French-English
bilingualism and English-heritage language bilingualism.
Prerequisite: Honours courses in linguistics or permission
of the Department.
- Linguistics 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 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 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.
Before 1996-97, course 29.576 was offered as 29.572.
- Linguistics 29.592F1, W1, 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 29.595F1, W1, S1
Special Topics in Applied Language Studies
Exploration of a topic from current research in applied language
studies. Students should check with the department regarding the
topic addressed in any term.
- Linguistics 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 29.598F2, W2, S2
Research Essay
- Linguistics 29.599F4, W4, S4
M.A. Thesis