Undergraduate Course Descriptions

AL 2021 Introduction to English Linguistics 3.0

Introduction to English Linguistics. A brief survey of major topics in the linguistics of English, including word, sentence and text structure, the history of English, and variation in English usage.

AL 2101 Introduction to Language 3.0

Introduction to Language. (Same as ForL 2101.) Non-technical introduction to issues pertaining to language and languages, including language structure, first and second language acquisition, language variation (regional and social), and language change.

AL 2102 Languages of the World 3.0

Languages of the World. (Same as ForL 2102.) Survey of the world’s languages and an introduction to the variety of linguistic phenomena found in different languages.

AL 2231 Understanding Miscommunication 3.0

Understanding Miscommunication. Introductory, non-technical investigation of miscommunication, including its causes and how it can and cannot be avoided; emphasis on linguistic and cultural factors that may lead to miscommunication.

AL 2290 Introductory Special Topics 3.0

Introductory Special Topics in Applied Linguistics. Topic varies according to instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of six semester hours.

AL 3021 Intro to Linguistics 3.0

Introduction to Linguistics. (Same as ForL 3021.) An introduction to the major areas of linguistics: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.

AL 3031 Language in Society-CTW 3.0

Language in Society-CTW. Prerequisite: AL 3021 or ForL 3021 with grade of C or higher, or equivalent. Introduction to sociolinguistics, focusing on the ways in which language serves the needs of the individual and society. Serves as one of the two Critical Thinking Through Writing (CTW) courses required of all applied linguistics majors.

AL 3041 Second Language Acquisition 3.0

Introduction to Second Language Acquisition. Prerequisite: AL 3021 or ForL 3021 with grade of C or higher, or equivalent. (Same as ForL 3041.) Introduction to processes of acquiring a second (foreign or additional) language. Compares the experiences of young children, adolescents, and adult-age language learners.

AL 3051 Teaching EFL I 3.0

Teaching English as a Foreign Language I: Methods and Approaches. Prerequisite: AL 3021 or ForL 3021 with grade of C or higher, or equivalent. This is the first course in a two course sequence designed to prepare individuals who plan on living abroad to serve as competent teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL). It features attention to adaptation to a new culture, historical and contemporary developments in English language teaching, and techniques for teaching listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary & grammar.

AL 3101 English Grammar in Use 3.0

English Grammar in Use. Study of English grammar as it is used in different contexts. Corpus analysis software is used to explore syntactic and lexical patterns within the language. Especially recommended for students who expect to teach English to adult speakers of other languages.

AL 4011 Phonetics and Phonology 3.0

Phonetics and Phonology. Prerequisite: AL 3021 or ForL 3021 with grade of C or higher, or equivalent. (Same as ForL 4011.) Description and classification of the sounds of human language; patterns of their occurrence and rules governing their use in various languages; emphasis on phonology in a generative framework.

AL 4012 Morphology and Syntax 3.0

Morphology and Syntax. Prerequisite: AL 3021 or ForL 3021 with grade of C or higher, or equivalent. (Same as ForL 4012.) Introduction to the basic concepts of syntax, including word classes, constituents, case systems, word order, and grammatical relations. Emphasis on comparison of syntax of a wide variety of languages.

AL 4111 Semantics and Pragmatics 3.0

Semantics and Pragmatics in Linguistic Theory. Prerequisite: AL 3021 or ForL 3021 with grade of C or higher, or equivalent. (Same as ForL 4111.) Broad range of topics in semantics, the study of how language communicates meaning, and in pragmatics, the study of how language is used to accomplish a speaker’s intention.

AL 4121 Historical Linguistics 3.0

Historical Linguistics. Prerequisite: AL 3021 or ForL 3021 with grade of C or higher, or equivalent. (Same as ForL 4121.) Comprehensive introduction to historical and comparative linguistics with a focus on causes and mechanisms of language change over time.

AL 4131 Bilingualism 3.0

Bilingualism. Prerequisite: AL 3021 or ForL 3021 with grade of C or higher, or equivalent. (Same as ForL 4131.) Comprehensive introduction to the phenomena, role, and function of bilingualism in the contemporary world with special emphasis on North America.

AL 4141 Special Topics 3.0

Special Topics in Language Studies. Prerequisite: AL 3021 or ForL 3021 with grade of C or higher, or equivalent. (Same as ForL 4141.) Topic varies according to instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of six semester hours.

AL 4151 COMM Across Cultures-CTW 3.0

Communication Across Cultures-CTW. Prerequisite: AL 3021 or ForL 3021 with grade of C or higher, or equivalent. This course focuses on learning about the communication of another cultural group to which you do not belong, and learning about effectively communicating with that group. Topics include investigating some of the relationships between language and culture and developing strategies for learning about another culture and communicating across cultures.

AL 4161 Teaching EFL II 3.0

Teaching English as a Second Language II: Practicum and Classroom Practices. Prerequisites: AL 3051 and AL 3021 or ForL 3021 with grades of C or higher, or equivalent. This is the second course in a two course sequence designed to prepare individuals who plan on living abroad to serve as competent teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL). Its purpose is to complement the relatively broadeR, and more theoretical, perspective of TEFL I by focusing on classroom practices (e.g., micro-teaching, classroom management, lesson planning) and building intercultural awareness and sensitivities.

AL 4241 Senior SEM Applied Linguistics CTW 3.0

Senior Seminar in Applied Linguistics-CTW. Prerequisite: 12 hours of upper-division applied linguistics courses completed before registering. Overview of current issues and research methods in applied linguistics. Each student will complete an independent research project. Serves as one of the two Critical Thinking Through Writing (CTW) courses required of all applied linguistics majors.

AL 4980 Internship 3.0

Internship in Applied Linguistics. Prerequisite: AL 302, or ForL 3021 with grade of C or higher, Junior or Senior standing, and a declared Applied Linguistics major or minor. This course provides an opportunity to observe and interact with professionals engaged in day-to-day activities in a corporate or non-profit setting. Students will gain occupational skills through hands-on experience and apply linguistics theory, pedagogy, and/or analysis methods to relevant problems in written assignments. AL 3051 TEFL I and AL 4161 TEFL II are recommended before an internship that involves teaching English. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours if internship site varies significantly.

AL 4985 Internship Abroad 3.0

Internship Abroad in Applied Linguistics. Prerequisite: AL 302, or ForL 3021 with grade of C or higher, Junior or Senior standing, and a declared Applied Linguistics major or minor. This course provides an opportunity to observe and interact with professionals engaged in day-to-day activities in an internationally located corporate or non-profit setting. Students will gain occupational skills through hands-on experience and apply linguistics theory, pedagogy, and/or analysis methods to relevant problems in written assignments. AL 3051 TEFL I and AL 4161 TEFL II are recommended before an internship that involves teaching English. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours if internship site varies significantly.

AL 4999 Directed Readings 3.0

Directed Readings. Faculty-directed independent study or research.