BA in Linguistics
The UAF Linguistics Program offers both a major and a minor in linguistics.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in linguistics is built around a core curriculum of language classes and linguistic theory classes, plus an additional six courses in subfields of linguistics.
Study two different languages (other than English): 4 semesters of one language and 2 semesters of the second. UAF offers courses in many different languages.
- European Languages: French, German, Greek, Latin, Russian, Spanish
- Asian Languages: Chinese, Japanese
- Alaska Native Languages: Inupiaq, Yupik, Gwich'in, Koyukon
If you're already studying language, you may be well on the way to a linguistics degree!
The core foundation in linguistics requires completion of the following six courses:
LING 101 -- Nature of Language
an overview
LING 318 -- Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology
sounds and sound patterns in language
LING 320 -- Introduction and Morphology
the structure of words
ENG 318 -- Modern English Grammar
the structure of the English language
LING 410 -- Theory and Methods of Second Language Teaching
LING 441 –- Topics in Linguistics
topic selected changes regularly
LING 482 -- Seminar in Linguistics
student research
The remaining four courses required for the degree can be chosen from a wide variety of topics in linguistics, including:
- Language & Culture
- Language & Gender
- Language Acquisition
- Sociolinguistics
- Bilingualism
- The Nature of Meaning
- Alaska Native Languages
- Second Language Teaching
- Language Policy
Course Descriptions
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Introduction to the field of linguistics as it pertains to the field of education.
Includes discussions of language structure, acquisition and bilingualism, and variation
and public policy. The course does not satisfy requirements for the B.A. in Linguistics.
Cross-listed with ED F100. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall
The study of language: systematic analysis of human language and description of its
grammatical structure, distribution and diversity. Also available via Independent
Learning. (3+0)
1 Credit
Offered Fall
Introduction to the field of Teaching English as a Second Language. (1+0)
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
A comprehensive survey of the world's languages-- past and present. Topics include
genetic relationships among languages, linguistic change, language universals, language
classification and language families, as well as the interaction of culture and language.
(3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Spring
An introduction to the study of the language and culture nexus. Questions addressed include: How does the language you speak affect how you think and view the world? How do ways of speaking structure culture? What do we know about how human language evolved? How does language encode cultural meaning? Prerequisites: ANTH F100X, ANTH F101X, ANTH F215, SOC F101X or LING F101X. Cross-listed with ANTH F260. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Central issues in second language acquisition research. Includes a critical review
of SLA theories and research. Prerequisites: LING F101; or permission of instructor
(3+0)
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Theories of the acquisition and development of first and second languages, including
consideration of biological and sociocultural factors. Survey of traditional and contemporary
theories, and implications for pedagogy and public policy. Recommended: LING F101.
Cross-listed with ED F303. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Examination of relationships between language and gender, drawing on both ethnographic
and linguistic sources. Topics include power, socialization and sexism. Prerequisites:
COMM F131X or COMM F141X; ENGL F111X; ENGL F211X or ENGL F213X or permission of instructor.
Cross-listed with ANTH F308; WMS F308. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Scientific study of human speech sounds, mechanism of their production, and sound
systems of languages. Prerequisites: Upper-division standing or permission of instructor.
(3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Study of principles and processes of word construction in language. Morphological
structure of Alaska Native languages and other non-Indo-European languages. Prerequisites:
LING F318 or permission of instructor. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Theory and practice of teaching a second language, including methodological approaches,
second language acquisition theory, materials and testing. Prerequisites: COMM F131X
or COMM F141X. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years or As Demand Warrants
This class uses "hands-on" discourse analytic techniques of student-collected media
data in order to examine whether or not there is a unified rhetorical style associated
with the American Right; the nature of the relationship between a message, its form
and persuasion; and how moral stance are taken in political contexts. Evaluation of
the veracity, ethical or historical merits of conservative political stances is not
part of the scope of this course. Prerequisites: COMM F131X or COMM F141X; ENGL F111X;
ENGL F211X or ENGL F213X. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
An elective course in linguistics for majors. Content will vary from year to year
and may be drawn from many areas of linguistics to include current research and methodologies.
Course may be repeated two times for credit when content varies. Prerequistes: LING
F101, LING F318 and LING F320 or permission of instructor. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Consideration of minority languages, including Alaskan Native Languages, in light
of their histories, current status and factors affecting future maintenance. Prerequisites:
COMM F131X or COMM F141X. Stacked with LING F650. (3+0)
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
Current issues in various subfields of linguistics including semantics and pragmatics,
discourse analysis, bilingualism, lexicography, language philosophy and issues within
a particular language or language group, e.g. Eskimo phonology, Athabaskan morphology.
May be repeated once. (3+0)