Linguistics

Linguistics studies spoken and signed language as well as written, and emphasizes the description of language as it is actually used.  A set of methods and a technical vocabulary have been developed for this purpose. 

UM-Dearborn Linguistics faculty focus on sociolinguistics and the structure, history, and social functions of the English language in contact with other languages, drawing on the methods and theoretical insights of the World Englishes approach.

The Linguistics Discipline offers courses contributing to the following programs:  the ESL Endorsement Certificate (College of Education, Health, and Human Services), the Language Arts Elementary Education major (College of Education, Health, and Human Services), the English major with Secondary Certification (CASL and College of Education, Health, and Human Services), and the Linguistics minor or concentration for the Integrative Studies major (CASL). Linguistics courses also fulfill the role of cognates within certain CASL majors.

 

Minor or Integrative Studies Concentration Requirements

Students may earn a minor in Linguistics or have Linguistics as a concentration for the Integrative Studies major by completing 12-13 credit hours of upper-level courses in Linguistics (LING).

  • A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for the minor/concentration. The GPA is based on all coursework required within the minor (excluding prerequisites).
  • A minimum of 9 credits must be completed at UM-Dearborn for a 12 credit minor/concentration.
  • A minimum of 12 credits must be completed at UM-Dearborn for a 15 or more credit minor/concentration.
  • Courses within a minor/concentration cannot be taken as Pass/Fail (P/F)
  • Only 3 credit hours of independent study or internship may be used to fulfill the requirements for a 12 credit hour minor/concentration.  Only 6 credit hours of such credit may be used in a 15 or more credit hour minor/concentration.
  • Minors requiring 12 credits may share one course with a major. Minors requiring 15 credits or more may share two courses with a major. This does not apply to concentrations for the Integrative Studies major.

See Language Arts for Elementary Education for more information.

See English with Secondary Education Certification for more information.

See ESL Endorsement Certificate for more information

LING 280     Introduction to Linguistics     3 Credit Hours

The basic concepts, scope, and methodology of the descriptive and historical study of the English language. (F,W,S).

LING 375     Psychology of Language     3 Credit Hours

The nature of human language as seen from the perspective of experimental psychology. The course will also introduce the student to current developments in linguistic theory. (AY).

Prerequisite(s): PSYC 170 or PSYC 171 or LING 280 or PSYC 101

LING 383     American English     2 to 3 Credit Hours

The development of American English and its dialects interpreted in the light of cultural history and processes of language change.

Prerequisite(s): LING 280 or LING 281

LING 385     Language and Gender     4 Credit Hours

This course provides a sociolinguistic overview of major paradigms and critical concepts in language and gender research. It surveys linguistic features and discursive practices of gendered speech, critically examines representations of gender stereotypes in communication, and discusses myths and facts about gendered language. (OC).

LING 390     Topics in Linguistics     3 Credit Hours

Examination of problems and issues in selected areas of linguistics. Title as listed in Schedule of Classes will change according to content. Course may be repeated for credit when specific topics differ. (OC).

LING 391     Independent Study     3 Credit Hours

****NO DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE****

LING 399     Independent Studies in Ling     1 to 6 Credit Hours

Readings or analytical assignments in linguistics in accordance with the needs and interests of those enrolled and agreed upon by the student and advising instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours. (F,W).

LING 422     Language and Popular Culture     4 Credit Hours

This course provides an overview of popular culture theories and communication models along with research methods. It offers an accessible, in-depth presentation of popular culture including music, film, television, magazines, comics, animation, and advertising in the US and the beyond. The main focus of the course is to highlight the functions of language, particularly, dialects, accents, and foreign languages, in producing and consuming local and global pop culture texts. (F).

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Level is Undergraduate

LING 425     Language and Society     4 Credit Hours

An examination of the social functions of speech through readings and exercises, emphasizing schools and other applied settings. Topics include ethnic and social class dialects, codeswitching, and the organization of conversation. Students cannot receive credit for both ANTH 425 and ANTH 525. (OC).

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Level is Undergraduate

LING 461     Modern English Grammar     3 Credit Hours

The morphological and syntactic analysis of the structure of present day English considered in the light of modern linguistic science. Students cannot receive credit for both LING 461 and LING 561.

Prerequisite(s): LING 280 or LING 281 or LING 480

LING 464     Contemporary Rhetorical Theory     3 Credit Hours

An examination of contemporary rhetorical theories through study of representative practitioners and related developments in linguistics, philosophy, psychology, communication, and composition and rhetoric. Students may not receive credit for both COMP 464 and COMP 564.

Prerequisite(s): COMP 106 or COMP 220 or COMP 270 or Composition Placement Score with a score of 40 or Composition Placement Score with a score of 107 or COMP 280

Restriction(s):
Cannot enroll if Class is

LING 465     Discourse Analysis     3 Credit Hours

An examination of the syntactic and semantic devices and structures underlying communication in written texts and oral interaction. Material to be analyzed will vary from term to term (technical reports, scholarly articles, newspaper stories) but examples will be drawn primarily from the written language. Students cannot receive credit for both LING 465 and LING 565. (OC).

Prerequisite(s): LING 280 or LING 281

Restriction(s):
Cannot enroll if Class is Graduate

LING 474     Second Lang Acquisition: Engl     3 Credit Hours

A survey of fundamental concepts and major concerns in the study of English as a Second Language (ESL). The course examines a variety of psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic issues related to second language acquisition (SLA), ranging from theoretical to pedagogical. A primary focus is on developmental patterns and cognitive processes of SLA and individual variation in ESL speakers in terms of their social motivations and learning strategies. Implications for practical concerns such as the ESL teaching profession, instructional materials and curriculum development will be addressed where relevant.

Prerequisite(s): LING 280 or LING 281 or LING 480

LING 475     Lang Diversity: Arab Amer Comm     4 Credit Hours

The study of the development, features, and significance of varieties of English in southeastern Michigan, with a focus on the Arab American community. A range of sociolinguistic approaches are explored and applied to the subject matter. Topics to be addressed include code switching, language shift and maintenance, style shifting, and the role of language in identity formation. Students cannot receive credit for both LING 475 and LING 575. (OC).

Prerequisite(s): LING 280 or LING 281 or LING 480

LING 476     Sociolinguistics     3 Credit Hours

An examination of sociolinguistic approaches to the issue of variation in language. Areas to be considered include ways of defining and constructing language, different types of language varieties, how variation is structured in language, the role of sociolinguistic variation in linguistic change, and the significance of linguistic acts of identity. (YR)

Prerequisite(s): LING 280 or LING 480

Restriction(s):
Cannot enroll if Class is Graduate

LING 477     African American English     3 Credit Hours

An examination of the structure, history and use of African-American English. Topics will include the pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary of African-American English, theories of origin, linguistic repertoire and code-switching in African-American communities, the Ebonics controversy, and the role of this variety in education and identity formation. Students cannot receive credit for both LING 477 and LING 577.

Prerequisite(s): LING 280 or LING 281 or LING 480

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Level is Undergraduate

LING 480     Concepts in Linguistics     3 Credit Hours

An examination of foundational concepts in linguistic and sociolinguistic theory, which explores the intellectual and philosophical problems raised by these concepts. Issues covered include the metalinguistic nature of language studies, the relation of language to the communication systems of other species, the physiological basis of language, language variation, language function and instrumentality, and innate versus learned behavior. Designed for students pursuing the Endorsement in ESL Teaching. (YR)

Restriction(s):
Cannot enroll if Class is Graduate

LING 482     History of the English Lang     3 Credit Hours

A thorough grounding in the history and structure of the English language. At issue are the linguistic and ideological origins of the concept of Standard English, and the strengths and limitations of different methods of analyzing the history of the language. The course will emphasize sound change, grammatical change, and their sociolinguistic context. (YR)

Prerequisite(s): LING 280 or LING 480

Restriction(s):
Can enroll if Level is Undergraduate

LING 484     World Englishes     3 Credit Hours

A study of the origin and significance of different forms of English throughout the world. Contact with other languages, pidginization, creolization, standardization, and the formation of the three circles of English are examined. (YR)

Prerequisite(s): LING 280 or LING 480

Restriction(s):
Cannot enroll if Class is Graduate

LING 490     Topics in Linguistics     3 Credit Hours

Examination of problems and issues in selected areas of linguistics. Titles as listed in Schedule of Classes will change according to content. Course may be repeated for credit when specific topics differ. (OC).

LING 499     Advanced Independent Studies     1 to 6 Credit Hours

Advanced research project in accordance with the needs and interests of those enrolled and agreed upon by the student and advising instructor. (OC).

Prerequisite(s): LING 280 or LING 480

*An asterisk denotes that a course may be taken concurrently.

Frequency of Offering

The following abbreviations are used to denote the frequency of offering: (F) fall term; (W) winter term; (S) summer term; (F, W) fall and winter terms; (YR) once a year; (AY) alternating years; (OC) offered occasionally