Linguistics Courses | 2026-2027 Graduate Catalog | SIU

(Same as PHIL 502) Discussion of the formal mechanisms used to encode meaning in natural language. Potential topics include: predication, definiteness, quantification, and semantic modeling.

Credit Hours: 3

A course in phonetics, beginning with articulatory phonetics and moving into acoustic phonetics. Students will learn to describe the sounds of the world's languages using articulatory descriptions, practice making those sounds, and learn how to use spectrographic software to analyze the acoustic stream.

Credit Hours: 3

An examination of phonological theory and application from a cross-linguistic perspective. Data analysis from the perspective of different theories. Prerequisite: LING 505 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

The study of regional, social, and ethnic variation within American English. Includes variation at the structural level (phonological, syntactic, etc.) as well as variation due to register, speaking rate, social networks.

Credit Hours: 3

Basic concepts and methods of general linguistics. Fundamentals of the nature, structure and functioning of language. Data analysis and problem solving. Introduction to professional standards and resources available for linguistic research. Course satisfies introduction to linguistics requirement.

Credit Hours: 3

Theories and methods in the study of the history and prehistory of languages and language families. The course includes the study of the linguistic and social histories that lead to language change. Prerequisite: LING 505 with a grade of B or better or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

An examination of the major concepts and issues in generative syntax from a cross-linguistic perspective. Prerequisite: LING 505 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Theories on the nature of "truth" and "meaning" and their relationship to natural language. Potential foci include reference, definite descriptions, naming, externalism, modality, and possible worlds.

Credit Hours: 3

The history of linguistic inquiry from classical times to the present. Prerequisite: one previous course in linguistics or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

A survey of the languages of the world ? geographical distribution, genetic affiliations, historical development, and structural characteristics. Students examine languages through data analysis and typology.

Credit Hours: 3

A phonology course focused on the phonology of English including the sounds and sound patterns of English as spoken by both native and non-native speakers.

Credit Hours: 3

This course studies the relationship between language and society. Focus may be on a narrow subfield within sociolinguistics such as regional dialectology, language variation, linguistic geography, multilingualism, languages in contact, language planning or a broadly defined survey of several subfields within sociolinguistics.

Credit Hours: 3

A survey of the historical, social, political, linguistic, and educational issues surrounding the use of Spanish(es) in the United States. Topics may include Spanish language use, bilingualism, language maintenance, language shift, heritage language learning, Hispanic diversity, Latino literature, and the effects of language contact on both Spanish and English.

Credit Hours: 3

The study of the social conditions under which language contact occurs and the cultural and linguistic consequences of such contact. Data may come from several languages and cultures. Potential topics include language maintenance, shift, ideological issues surrounding bilingualism, language development, language change.

Credit Hours: 3

A survey of the languages of the world ? geographical distribution, genetic affiliations, historical development, and structural characteristics. Students examine languages through data analysis and typology.

Credit Hours: 3

Detailed discussion of the theories and methods in modern morphological theories. Emphasis is on current work in morphology, its impact on other subareas of linguistics, and application of theory to data, and implications for current work. Prerequisite: LING 505 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

A synchronic or diachronic survey of a particular language, language family, sub-family, or macro-family. May be repeated as topic varies for a total of nine credit hours.

Credit Hours: 3

Detailed analysis of the linguistic structure of a language. Language under study is variable. May be repeated as language studied varies.

Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to current theories of ESL/EFL composition and pedagogical grammar, as well as principles and techniques for teaching composition and grammar in a second language. Course will combine understanding of theory with evaluation of published materials and original development of high-quality teaching materials. Prerequisite: LING 570 with a B or better or concurrent enrollment or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

This course investigates the evolution of English, from its Indo-European foundations to its current global status. We analyze how invasions, cultural contact, and shifting social structures influenced English vocabulary, grammar, and word order. Building on core historical linguistic methods, students will demonstrate mastery of how social and political events shaped present-day English. In addition to undergraduate outcomes, graduate students will produce original scholarship grounded in published academic research. Emphasis is placed on connecting linguistic theory to the history of English, fostering the ability to apply advanced linguistic analysis and contribute to scholarly discussions in the field.

Credit Hours: 3

A survey of psycholinguistic theory and methods. Topics covered may include the nature of language, theories of human communication, language comprehension and production, first language acquisition, second language acquisition, meaning and thought, language processing in the brain.

Credit Hours: 3

Selected topics in linguistics. May be repeated as topics vary to a total of 6 credit hours per term and 9 credit hours toward the degree. Prerequisite: LING 505 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3-6

A discussion of key concepts and major theoretical and methodological issues in second language acquisition. Major developments in SLA in phonology, morphology, lexis, syntax, semantics and discourse and provides students with hands-on experience in describing and accounting for second language data. Opportunity to design and implement a data-based SLA study in an area of interest to students.

Credit Hours: 3

Research seminar in second language acquisition on selected topics such as universal grammar in SLA, language transfer, variation in SLA, second language learnability, etc. Prerequisite: LING 541 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as PSYC 578) A comprehensive introduction to the study of bilingualism. Course will examine the linguistic, psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic, and educational aspects of bilingualism, particularly as pertaining to the care and education of bilingual children. Prerequisite: LING 505 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as ANTH 544) Survey of major approaches to the analysis of spoken or written discourse including speech act theory, pragmatics, interactional sociolinguistics, ethnography of communication, conversation analysis, variation analysis, and critical discourse analysis. Prerequisite: LING 505 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

This course examines basic concepts and principles of quantitative and qualitative methods in Linguistics and TESOL. It prepares students to critically read and understand related research as well as design and carry out their own research projects. It includes analyses of research articles, writing literature reviews, making informed decisions about appropriate methodology and data analyses procedures. Prerequisite: LING 505 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Guided advanced seminar in syntax and semantics. May be repeated as topic varies for a total of six credit hours.

Credit Hours: 3

Guided advanced seminar in phonology. May be repeated as topic varies for a total of six credit hours.

Credit Hours: 3

Guided advanced seminar in sociolinguistics. May be repeated as topic varies for a total of six credit hours.

Credit Hours: 3

Guided advanced seminar in selected topics. May be repeated as topic varies for a total of six credit hours.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as ANTH 551) An investigation of language use in context; this incorporates both social and psychological aspects of language use. Topics to be covered in this course include speech acts; implicature; conversation analysis; and the acquisition of communicative competence by both first and second language learners. Prerequisite: LING 505 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Focus on the methods of eliciting and evaluating data to construct a detailed linguistic description of a language or dialect by working with a native speaker or speakers of the language/dialect. Additional discussion on preservation and wider linguist-community responsibility. Prerequisite: LING 505 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Emphasis is on current work in phonology, its impact on phonological theory, and application of theory to data, and implications for current work. Prerequisite: LING 503 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

This course examines language patterns in collections of spoken and written texts?corpora. The systematic study of collocations, lexical and phrasal repetition, and comparative word frequency sheds light on what distinguishes different types of texts from one another. We will see that these distinctions, when observed across many texts, ultimately reveal stylistic differences and belief systems of groups in society. By combining course textbooks, which introduce corpus linguistics theories and methods, with original articles focusing on language in media and politics, we highlight lexical priming embedded in sociopolitical and cultural discourse. Students will conduct a final research project that investigates language in a self-designed or existing corpus on a topic of their interest.

Credit Hours: 3

Emphasis is on current work in syntax, its impact on syntactic theory, and application of theory to data, and implications for current work. Prerequisite: LING 508 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

An overview of bilingual education including related terminology, theories, methodology, and models for serving English language students. Historical, political, social, economic, cultural, and legal aspects of bilingual education.

Credit Hours: 3

Examines the ongoing struggle to maintain, preserve, and revitalize indigenous and other minority languages of the Americas. Addresses pre-Columbian history, language contact and shift, language endangerment, death, and maintenance.

Credit Hours: 3

Requirement for Illinois ESL/Bilingual Approval. Methods/materials to teach ESL/EFL in the United States (K-adult) and abroad. Promotes eclecticism through reflective practice; overview of methods from early grammar translation to cognitive and communicative, integrated skills, technology, and content-based approaches. Lecture, readings, discussion, demonstration, materials review, lesson planning, micro-teaching.

Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to equip bilingual and second language teachers with the tools, knowledge, and philosophy for working with language students in the context of bilingual, ESL, and dual-language immersion programs. The course introduces candidates to the foundations of bilingual education programs in the United States, in addition to exploring different program models, instructional strategies, and guiding principles for bilingual education.

Credit Hours: 3

Theoretical and practical issues in the assessment, testing, measurement, and evaluation of second and foreign language learners. Covers the history and development of language testing practices; the relationships among assessment, instruction, and course design; principles of good assessment, the sociocultural context surrounding assessment; and traditional and alternative assessment that can be use for K-12 and adult learners.

Credit Hours: 3

This course examines a variety of technologies that can be used to support and enhance second language learning. In addition to building students' practical skills and comfort with a range of technologies, the course encourages critical thinking about if/when to use technologies in the classroom and how to best integrate them.

Credit Hours: 3

Selected topics in special areas of teaching English to speakers of other languages. May be repeated as topics vary. Prerequisite: LING 570 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3-6

A review of issues and procedures in the design and implementation of courses for teaching English to speakers of other languages. Particular attention is given to recent developments such as content-based instruction. All major course components such as setting of objectives, syllabus design, content specification, and evaluation are considered. In addition, resources available for addressing these issues will be discussed. Prerequisite: LING 570 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Class observation and supervised teaching of English to speakers of other languages; meets concurrently with Linguistics 454: Observation and Practice in TESOL and Linguistics 100: Instruction in ESL. Prerequisite: LING 570 or consent of department.

Credit Hours: 3

Course will focus on the advanced study of grammatical features in English and their applicability to the writing and composing process of ESL/EFL writers. Additionally, stylistic and rhetorical factors, including cross-cultural rhetoric, will be considered, with the focus guided by student and instructor interests. Course will include reading the primary research literature, student development of a research project, and implications for supporting second language writers. Prerequisite: LING 431 or LING 531 with a B or better or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to current theories, principles, and techniques for teaching second language listening and speaking skills. Students will gain practical experience in developing meaningful listening and speaking activities/materials. Prerequisite: LING 570 with a B or better or concurrent enrollment or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

A course designed to familiarize students with key components of English language courses designed for speakers of other languages with specific needs or in well-defined settings. Case studies and sample courses are reviewed and students develop individual projects related to a content area or course component of their choice, e.g., needs assessment, syllabus design, materials development, or teacher training. Prerequisite: LING 570 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to current theories of reading and vocabulary learning, as well as principles and techniques for teaching reading and vocabulary in a second language. Course will combine understanding of theory with evaluation of published materials and original development of high-quality teaching materials. Prerequisite: LING 570 with a B or better or concurrent enrollment or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

This course explores the various ways in which culture informs and interacts with teaching and learning in the additional language classroom. Materials and assignments are designed to advance students' understanding of theory, practice, and research in the wider field of intercultural communication with a focus on how such knowledge can be applied to pedagogical practices in language teaching. Considerations will include the effects of cultural identities and cross-cultural experiences on language, perception, and world view and how these factors inform the larger language learning experience. Current and future teachers will be equipped with the tools to develop their individual intercultural competence and to foster intercultural awareness in their own classrooms.

Credit Hours: 3

Course will focus on the advanced study of reading processes and lexical knowledge in first, second and additional languages. All levels of reading skills and lexical knowledge, from letter recognition to discourse processing, will be considered, with the focus guided by student and instructor interests. Course will include reading the primary research literature, student development of a research project, and implications for supporting second language readers. Prerequisite: LING 487 or LING 587 with a B or better or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Course will focus on aspects of second language acquisition specific to second language phonology along with attention to the phonology of English. Course will be research focused with extensive reading in L2 pronunciation topics and student development of a research project. Prerequisite: LING 485 or LING 585 with a B or better or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Course will focus on aspects of teaching and learning second languages with technology. Choices of technology and course focus will be determined by students' and instructor's interests. Course will be research-focused with extensive reading in Computer-Assisted Language Learning and student development of a research project. Prerequisite: LING 573 with a grade of B or better or consent of the instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Individual research under graduate faculty guidance. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Provides students with the opportunity to work with students of diverse linguistic backgrounds in a local school or in an international setting. Students will complete weekly reports and monthly reflections, observe language educators, and design and teach language lessons. Students will leave the course with practical knowledge regarding classroom organization, management, instructional strategies, and language program organization. Prerequisite: LING 570 with a grade of B or better.

Credit Hours: 1-3

Individual readings in linguistics under graduate faculty guidance. Special approval needed from the department.

Credit Hours: 1-8

Minimum of three hours to be counted toward a Master's degree. Special approval needed from the department.

Credit Hours: 1-6

For those graduate students who have not finished their degree programs and who are in the process of working on their dissertation, thesis, or research paper. The student must have completed a minimum of 24 hours of dissertation research, or the minimum thesis or research hours before being eligible to register for this course. Concurrent enrollment in any other course is not permitted. Graded S/U or DEF only.

Credit Hours: 1