Cross-Disciplinary Program in Linguistics

Overview

Students of linguistics study the structure, meaning, uses and history of human languages. They gain insight into how language is processed by the human mind and by computer, and they learn about cultural and linguistic diversity through the study of h ow language reflects meaning and worldviews. Through these perspectives, students discover how language reflects unique characteristics of humanity by connecting linguistic structure with the functional meanings that are used in communication.

Students learn how linguistic analysis can be used in practice through the study of such areas as second language acquisition and assessment, language teaching, computer processing of human language, and communication disorders. Linguistics courses are taught by outstanding faculty in language related departments such as Anthropology, Computer Science, English, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Psychology, and World Languages and Cultures.

For more information, contact Professor John Levis, Chair or Greta Muller Levis, Advisor.

Find out more about:

Program Requirements

Answers to FAQs (download as pdf)

Linguistics Faculty

Jobs

Linguistics Links

Requirements

Courses in linguistcs serve as background for students interested in any career that involves working with language, such as anthropology, natural language processing, foreign language teaching, teaching English both as a first and as a second language , psychology, sociology, speech-language pathology, and audiology.

In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, courses in linguistics can be applied as electives or as part of the group requirements. They also may be used in a minor or in a major.

Requirements for the Undergraduate Major

Completion of the BA in linguistics requires that students complete 36 credit hours of linguistics with a grade of C or better as specificed below in addition to the LAS general education requirements.

Core Requirements (30 credits)

LING/WLC 119 Introduction to World Languages

LING/ENGL 120 Computers and Language

LING/PHIL 207 Introduction to Symbolic Logic

LING/ENGL 219 Introduction to Linguistics

LING/ENGL 220 Descriptive English Grammar

LING/ANTHR 309 Linguistic Anthropology

LING/CMDIS 371 Phonetics and Phonology

LING/PSYCH 413 Psychology of Language

LING/ENGL 437 Grammatical Analysis

LING/ENGL 420 History of the English Language

Areas of Concentration (6 credits)

Students may complete requirements for one of the following areas of concentration. Students are welcome to select any combination of courses from these areas. Independent study in any of the areas will be considered on an individual basis.

Communication Disorders (6)

LING/CMDIS 275 Introduction to Communication Disorders

LING/CMDIS 286 Sign Language

LING/CMDIS 325 Nonverbal Communication

LING/CMDIS 471 Language Development

Computational Linguistics (6)

LING/COMS 331 Theory of Computing

LING/ENGL 520 Computational Analysis of English

Second Language Studies (6)

LING/ENGL 425 Second Language Acquisition

One of the following:

LING/WLC  486 Methods in Elementary FL Instruction

LING/ENGL 487 Methods in Secondary FL Instruction

LING/ENGL 524 Literacy: Issues and Methods for Nonnative Speakers of English

LING/ENGL 525 Methods of Teaching Listening/Speaking Siolls to Nonnative Speakers of English

LING/ENGL 519 Language Assessment

LING/ENGL 526 Computer-Assisted Language Learning

Sociolinguistics and Language Use (6)

SPCM 305 Language in Use

LING/ENGL 422 Women, Men, and the English Language

LING/ENGL 514 Sociolinguistics

LING/ENGL 527 Discourse Analysis

A World Language (6)

LING/WLC  351 Introduction to Spanish/English Translation

LING/WLC  352 Introduction to Spanish Phonology

LING/WLC  354 Introduction to Spanish-English Interpretation

LING/WLC  462 Contrastive Analysis of Spanish/English Syntax

LING/WLC 463 Hispanic Dialectology

Linguistics classes in other languages are available through the study abroad program. Six credits of linguistics in a single language can be transferred.

Other Requirements

The linguistics program requires a grade of C+ or better in English 150 and 250 (or 250H) and English 305, 314, or a 370 course in the Department of World Languages and Cultures. Linguistics majors must show proficiency in a foreign language equivalent to two years of university-level foreign language study. Students should also complete Linguistics 101, a one-credit course introducing the areas of work and study that linguists engage in.

Requirements for the Undergraduate Minor

Minors in linguistics are usually individually tailored to the interest of the student, who consults with the chair of the supervisory committee for linguistics. All minors must have a minimum of 15 credits in linguistics, of which 6 credits must be in courses numbered over 300. All programs must include LING 219.

Graduate Study

A graduate minor in linguistics is offered through a cooperative agreement with the departments of Anthropology, Computer Science, English, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Psychology, and the program in Speech Communication. For the master's degee, a declared minor consists of 9 credits in lingustics, including two foundation courses (511 and 537) and one elective from the list of courses approved for graduate credit. For the Ph.D. degree, the minor consists of 12 credits in linguistics including two foundation courses (511 and 537) and two electives. Students in Teaching English as a Second Language are not eligible for a graduate minor in linguistics.

The following courses may be used in graduate programs with the approval of the student's program of study commitee: LING/COMS 331, LING/ENGL 420, LING/ENGL 422, LING/ENGL 425, LING/CMDIS 471, LING/WLC 486, LING/WLC 487.

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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is linguistics and what can I do with a degree in linguistics?
Linguistics refers to the study of language, and therefore students who major in linguistics go on to many careers including work in academic and non-academic areas, such as language teaching and assessment, computational analysis of language, spe ech pathology, translation, and government work.  See some examples of companies that hire linguists.

Linguistics is a cross-disciplinary major at Iowa State.  Does that mean I have to have another major in addition to linguistics?
Linguistics is cross-disciplinary at Iowa State because the faculty who teach linguistics course are located in a variety of departments.  You do not need to have a double major if you major in linguistics.

Can I complete a BA in linguistics in 4 years?
Yes, students complete their degree in 4 years by following the linguistics advisor’s advice.  A suggested program of study can be found on the Website.

How can I find out more about the linguistics program besides the information at your website?
If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact the linguistics advisor, Greta Muller Levis.  If you are not on campus and you want to schedule a visit through ISU Campus Visits, go to their Website, pick the day you want to come, fill out the forms and enter "Linguistics" as your intended major.

I took some courses at a community college. Can I transfer them to ISU?
Yes, many community college classes transfer.  That would be arranged through ISU’s Office of the Register.  They would be able to give you the precise instructions to follow.  Information for transfer students is available at the Admissions website.

Does the Linguistics undergraduate program offer any departmental scholarships?
Professors sometimes hire linguistics undergraduates to participate in research projects.  Matches between students and faculty are made in the 101 course “Introduction to the Study of Linguistics” but linguistics students can also check with faculty to see if they have any projects.  ISU's Office of Financial Aid has a website with information and forms on other scholarships and grants, loans, and student empl oyment.  Also, The Admissions Office has some helpful information about Financing your Education.

How can I get to know other linguistics students?
During the first year, most linguistics students can meet in three linguistics courses for majors:  Computers and Language (Ling 120), Introduction to Language (Ling/WLC 119), and Introduction to the Study of Linguistics (Ling 101). 

Can I get a linguistics degree from ISU online?
No, Iowa State, like most universities, requires students to spend a significant portion of their time in residence on campus. While a few courses may be offered online, most of our undergraduate and graduate courses are offered on-campus during the day. Most students find the time they spend on campus very rewarding—a time they remember and treasure forever. 

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Linguistics Faculty

Gregory Aist (TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) Computational linguistics, computer-assisted language learning

Susan Benner (English) Translation, Grammar, International Teaching Assitant development, General Linguistics, Spanish for Specific Purposes

Dawn Bratsch-Prince (World Languages and Cultures) Romance philology, translation in the Middle Ages, epistolary discourse, Catalan language

Giada Biasetti (World Languages and Cultures) Translation studies, translation and interpretation, Latin American 20th century literature and culture, and Spanish for the Professions

Annemarie Butler (Philosophy) 18th century metaphysics and epistemology, Philosophy of mind, logic

Carol Chapelle (TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) Language testing, second language acquisition, computer-assisted language learning

Jean Goodwin (English, Speech Communication) Pragmatics, Rhetoric, Public Speaking, Language and the Law

Volker Hegelheimer (TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) Second language acquisition, computer-assisted language learning, language testing

Kathy Leonard (World Languages and Cultures) Second language acquisition, Hispanic linguistics, translation

Greta Muller Levis (Linguistics Adviser, English) Applied phonology, International Teaching Assitant development, General Linguistics

John M. Levis (Chair of the Linguistics Program, TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) Applied phonology and phonetics, intonational phonology, dialectology, methods of teaching ESL

Alison Morris (Psychology) Brain and behavior, interactions among attention, perception, and memory, mental representation of syntax.

Cynthia Myers (English) Composition, Grammar, International Teaching Assitant development, General Linguistics

David Oakey (TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) Corpus linguistics, English for specific purposes

Cristina Pardo Ballester (World Languages and Cultures) Language assessment, second language acquisition and teaching, technology-enhanced language learni ng, bilingualism, Spanish phonology and translation

Barbara Schwarte (Intensive English and Orientation Program and TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) Second language acquisition, sociolinguistics, pragmatics

Tammy Slater (TESL/Applied Linguistics in English) Systemic funcitonal linguistics, corpus linguistics, ESL/EFL methodology, bilingualism

Horabail Venkatagiri (Psychology) Acoustic analysis of speech, speech production, perception and fluency disorders

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Jobs

The following list of companies which have language related career opportunities is provided courtesy of Everette Jordan, Donna Parrish of Multilingual Computing, Paul Chapin, and Frederick Jackson of Interagency Language Roundtable.

ABLE International, Inc.
Accent Language Services
Adams Globalization
ALS International, CLS (Corproate Language Services)
Arial Translations
ASET International Services Corporation
Carnegie Mellon University Language Technologies Institute
Comprehensive Language Center, Inc.
Digitek/Sakhr Software Company
ES Bilgisayar Ltd.
InstallShield Software Corporation
International Software Products B.V.
Inxight Software
JLS Language Corporation
Language Partners International
Lemoine International
Lingo Systems
Lionbridge
Locatech
Luz
MultiLing Interantional, Inc.
Pacific International
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.
Rubric, Inc.
Satellite Station, Inc.
SDL International, UK
SimulTrans, L.L.C.
SinoMetrics International, Inc.
Sykes enterprises, Inc.
Terra Pacific, Inc.
The Language Service
The Write Stuff
TRADOS
Transparent Language, Inc.
Unitype, Inc.
VistaTec.Ltd.
Welocalize.com
WORDSTATION GmbH
WORDtrans
XA International
United States Intelligence Community

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Links

We've compiled a list of intersting linguistics related sites on the web for you to check out:

Linguistics Society of America -website includes a list of resources, frequently asked questions,links to other linguistics organizations,and an index of the fields of linguistics.

The LINGUIST List a web site containing linguistics resources, information on language analysis, job sites, mailing lists, and much more.

American Association for Applied Linguistics -website has information on conferences and workshops, graduate programs in linguistics, and job registration.

Linguistic Association of Canada and the United States- includes information on publications, and links to software pages and pages of current linguistic interest.

Association for Computational Linguistics - links to special interest groups in the field of computational linguistics, online resources, and conference information.

Center for Applied Linguitics -website contains information on research probjects, a directory and online resource guide, ask the language experts,and links to other centers and clearing houses.

Summer Institute of Linguistics -check out Ethnologue, a list of the word's languages, language maps, and much more.

TESOL -(Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) has a host of information on professional issues and development,news, conferences and grants. The site also has a jobfinder and a se ction on calls for proposals.

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