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Undergraduate Information

Major in Linguistics

Linguistics is the scientific study of natural human language; it contributes significantly to our understanding of what it means to be human. It is a broad field, covering all aspects of cognitive and social functioning.

 

Linguists study language in general through the study of specific languages. They study modern languages, ancient languages, and endangered languages. They carry out these studies in the classroom, in computer, psychology, and speech laboratories, in field work throughout the world, and in settings where languages are interpreted.

 

Linguists ask diverse questions about language. Many of these questions depend on the subfield in which the linguist practices. The Linguistics Department at Montclair State, in its BA program of 8 required courses, offers a foundation in the major subfields of linguistics. An additional 4 elective courses complete the program and provide an introduction into a wide range of fields, including computational linguistics, historical linguistics,

psycholinguistics, and second language acquisition.

 

For the recommended four-year plan for linguistics majors, go to Advisement Worksheets and click on “BA in Linguistics”.

 

Minor in Linguistics

The minor in Linguistics is an 18 credit program, with once required course, LNGN210 Introduction to General Linguistics. The 15 credits of electives may be chosen from among the required and elective courses for the major in Linguistics.

Major in Linguistics with Certification in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)

Students seeking initial certification in TESL must fulfill all the requirements for the major in linguistics, except that they must select their electives from a special list approved for TESL certification students. The requirements and electives are listed below.

The major in linguistics with TESL certification requires 36 credits of course work: 24 credits of required courses and 12 credits of electives. For the recommended four year plans for TESL certification, go to Advisement Worksheets and click on “BA in Linguistics with 1st Field Certification in TESL” or “BA in Linguistics with 1st Field Certification in TESL for Transfer Students” as appropriate.

In addition to the linguistics requirements, candidates for TESL certification must apply to the Center for Pedagogy for admission to the Teacher Education Program, and must fulfill the requirements that make up the Professional Sequence, including a semester of student teaching. Students must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in their Linguistics courses and a 2.75 GPA overall to be admitted to this program. Please consult the Center for Pedagogy for more information on the Teacher Education Program.

Required Courses (24 Semester Hours)

LNGN 210 Introduction to General Linguistics
LNGN 220 Structure of American English
LNGN 230 Language in Society
LNGN 245 Language and Culture
LNGN 300 Syntax
LNGN 330 Phonetics
LNGN 331 Phonology
Either LNGN 301 Semantics
or LNGN 302 Pragmatics


TESL Electives

LNGN 260 Dialectology
LNGN 280 Bilingualism
LNGN 284 History of the English Language
LNGN 301 Semantics
          OR
LNGN 302 Pragmatics
LNGN 325 Principles of Second Language Learning (a prerequisite for               LNGN 403 Methods and Materials of TESL¤)
PSYC 348 Psycholinguistics
LNGN 384 The Grammars of English
LNGN 420 Language and the Mind
LNGN 450 Selected Topics in Linguistics*
LNGN 478 Independent Study in Linguistics*
LNGN 479 Independent Study in Linguistics*
LNGN 480 Linguistics in Education and Society

*Requires approval of the student's advisor.

¤LNGN 403 Methods and Materials of TESL is also required for
certification, but is not a linguistics elective.


 

Certification in Teaching English as a Second Language as a Second Teaching Field

For undergraduate students who are receiving, or who already hold, first certification in another field, second certification is available in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).

The second certification is an 18 credit program. For a list of the courses involved in the certification, go to the list of Advisement Worksheets and click on “Dual Certification at the BA Level”.

For more information on the requirements for this program, please consult the chair of the department, Dr. Eileen Fitzpatrick (fitzpatricke@mail.montclair.edu).

 

 


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