Master of Arts in English: Concentration in Linguistics
Program Description
The M.A. in Linguistics provides students with a solid grounding in the tools of language analysis. The course offerings in contemporary linguistic theory cover a broad spectrum of the levels of linguistic structure: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, discourse analysis, psycholinguistics, and sociolinguistics. The program provides a background for teachers of English at the secondary and community college levels, for other specialists in education, and for those who wish to pursue advanced studies in the structure of language. Since the program allows considerable choice in coursework beyond a basic set of core requirements, the student in consultation with an adviser can plan a program to suit individual interests and career requirements.
Admission to the Program
Students entering the M.A. program with a concentration in Linguistics must have a Bachelor of Arts degree which includes the following courses or their equivalents (as approved by an adviser):
English 421 (Structure of English)
English 424 (Phonology/Morphology)
English 425 (Language in Context)
English 426 (Second Language Acquisition)
Six upper division or graduate units in British or American literature
Language requirement as described below
Applicants with deficiencies may be admitted conditionally but must complete English 421, 424, 425, and 426 during the first year of residence. All students must have a 3.0 (B) average for their last 60 units of work prior to application for this program. English 421, 424, 425, and 426 must be taken for letter grades; students must have a 3.0 (B) cumulative average in these subjects, with no grade lower than B-, in order to continue in the program. Literature courses may be taken for a letter grade or credit.
Foreign Language Requirement:
Ten semester units or the equivalent of a modern European language, plus a minimum of one semester or the equivalent of a non-Indo-European language concurrent with English 426, will be required of all candidates for the M.A. in English with a concentration in Linguistics. The student has the alternative of satisfying the modern European language requirement by examination. Units earned in foreign language study are not to be included in the Graduate Approved Program.
Written English Proficiency Requirement:
As stated in the Bulletin, all graduate students must be certified for two levels of English Language Proficiency.
Level One: Satisfactory performance on the final research paper for ENG 426, Second Language Acquisition, or, if the course is waived, an equivalent paper. Students whose writing ability is not satisfactory will be required to take a graduate-level composition course, such as ENG 670 or CHS 514. This course may not be used to fulfill other requirements for the M.A. In addition, all foreign students must have a TOEFL score of 570 before beginning the program.
Level Two: Satisfactory performance in ENG 895 or ENG 898.
Program and Required Courses 30 Units
Required core courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...18
ENG 719 Seminar: Contemporary Semantic Theory . . . . . .3
ENG 723 Seminar in the Structure of English . . . . . . . . . . .3
ENG 725 Special Topics in Linguistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ENG 727 Research Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..3
ENG 728 Seminar in Sociolinguistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..3
ENG 729 Seminar in Psycholinguistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Related courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....9
Nine units will be taken on advisement from one or more of the following areas.
TESOL
ENG 651 Teaching English as a Foreign/Second Language: Basic Principles
ENG 653 TESOL: Pedagogical Grammar
ENG 720 Seminar in Language, Literature and Culture: TESOL
ENG 722 Seminar in Language Testing
ENG 726 Practicum in TESOL
*ENG 730 Introduction to Graduate Study: English as a Foreign/Second Language
*ENG 731 Seminar in TESOL Listening and Speaking Skills
*ENG 732 Seminar in TESOL Reading and Writing Skills
* ENG 730 is a prerequisite for ENG 731 and a
prerequisite for ENG 732.
Linguistics
ENG 422 History of the English Language
ENG 724 Special Topics in the Study of Language
ANTH 500 Descriptive Linguistics
PHIL 830 Seminar in the Philosophy of Language
Speech and Communication Studies
SPCH 503 Sex Roles and Communication
SPCH 541 Intercultural Communication
SPCH 750 Seminar in Communication and Culture
Reading and Writing
ENG 654 Tutoring in Reading
ENG 656 Topics in Reading in the Secondary School
ENG 657 Grammar and Rhetoric of the Sentence
ENG 658 Projects in Study and Reading Techniques
ENG 704 Introduction to the Teaching of Writing
ENG 715 Projects in the Teaching of Reading
ENG 716 Projects Teaching Writing
Literature
ENG 429 Stylistics
ENG 655 Studies in Adolescent Literature
ENG 720 Seminar in Language, Literature and Culture: TESOL
ENG 782 Seminar in Chaucer
Thesis or Comprehensive Examination:
Students may choose between a comprehensive examination (including both a written and an oral component) or a thesis. If the thesis option is chosen, students will take English 898 (Thesis)--3 units. Those who choose the comprehensive examination option will take an additional English 895 (Field or Research Project)--3 units. The total unit requirement for the M.A. in Linguistics is 30 units.
Degrees and Programs
Master of Arts in English: Concentration in Linguistics
Career Options/Alternatives:
The M.A. in Linguistics prepares students for a variety of teaching and research positions in which the emphasis is on the structure of language. The program provides a background for teachers of English at the secondary and community college levels and for other specialists in education. Graduates of the program may teach English language or writing, work in the fields of speech production or speech recognition, or go on to further study in linguistics or related disciplines.
For more information:
Department of English
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132
415/338-2660
Graduate Division
415/338-2234
Inquiries concerning admission to the university, application forms, the University Bulletin, financial aid, etc. should be addressed to:
Admissions Office
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132
How to apply
Candidates for the M.A. in Linguistics must apply to the Admissions Office of the University and are required to submit a University application along with official transcripts of all college work. The application deadline for the fall semester is the preceding April 1, with a deadline of May 1st for complete files. The application deadline for the spring semester is November 15.
SFSU on the Internet
For access to the University Bulletin, (catalog), Class schedule, academic department web-sites, and other campus information, visit SFSU onthe World Wide Web: http://www.sfsu.edu |