College of Arts and Sciences
609 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1030
Phone: 716.645.2177
Fax: 716.645.3825
Web: linguistics.buffalo.edu
Karin Michelson
Chair
Jeri J. Jaeger
Director of Undergraduate Studies
jjaeger@buffalo.edu
Linguistics is the scientific study of the function and structure of language, and is concerned with language as a general aspect of human knowledge and behavior. The department offers three major tracks�Applied Linguistics; Language, Society, and Communication; and Language and Cognition. Two honors programs are also available. In addition, the department offers a joint major and a minor, and participates in a five-year TESOL BA/EdM (certificate) program.
The Department of Linguistics offers the following languages and language programs: Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, and the World Languages Program.
The Applied Linguistics Track prepares students for careers in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), bilingual education, and language education; the program includes electives in education and a teaching internship. The BA can be a terminal degree, or can qualify the student for MA programs in applied linguistics/TESOL. Majors receive a thorough grounding in the structure of English and its function in American society, as well as practical teaching experience.
The Language, Society, and Communication Track prepares students for careers in the media, public relations, business, and industry. Majors explore the central role that language plays in society, social interaction, and communication. Required courses focus on basic issues of the structure and use of language. Electives focus on specific social and cultural contexts cross-linguistically, and on methods for studying the use of language in distinctive social contexts.
The Language and Cognition Track prepares students for careers and advanced training in linguistics, cognitive science, language education, child development, and adult language disorders. It is designed for students interested in exploring the interface between language structure and use and other human cognitive processes. Courses focus on the acquisition of language, language production and comprehension, the construction and conveyance of meaning, and the representation of language in the brain. Students may take this track as either an honors or non-honors program.
The honors programs prepare students for graduate study in linguistics, cognitive science, and fields related to cognitive science, such as psychology. Majors become proficient at all levels of linguistic analysis, and gain an overview of theoretical issues. The honors programs involve a more intensive examination of current theoretical issues in linguistics.
The special major in language and linguistics combines the study of a specific language with a deeper understanding of how language functions. The program is flexible and practical, and provides an excellent opportunity to develop students' research interests and professional plans by working directly with a faculty member of the student's choice. Students who choose this option may prepare for careers in TESOL, translation, or advanced language research.
Note: For specific information about this special major, contact the director of undergraduate studies.
Related major: Cognitive Science (see Social Sciences Interdisciplinary).
Honors Programs
The Department of Linguistics offers two honors programs - one in Language, Structure, and Theory, and one in Language and Cognition.
Language Structure and Theory: Required courses are LIN 205, LIN 207, LIN 415, LIN 432, and LIN 497 Honors Thesis (3-6 credit hours), and two or three additional upper-division courses in theoretical linguistics (24 credit hours total). Electives from department courses; may apply one course with approved linguistic content from another department (12 credit hours).
Language and Cognition: LIN 205, LIN 207, LIN 415, and LIN 432; two of LIN 320, LIN 355, LIN 417, LIN 455; two of LIN 356, LIN 413, LIN 421, LIN 438; LIN 497 Honors Thesis (3 credit hours) (27 credit hours total). Electives from department courses, and one course with language and cognition content from another department (9 credit hours).
The linguistics department offers a teaching internship open to students from any major. Interns are placed in one of the Buffalo public schools as teacher's aides or tutors, either during the school day or in after-school programs. School venues include Spanish/English bilingual schools, international schools, and urban schools, and involve children from pre-kindergarten through high school. Students interested in the internship program should contact the director of undergraduate studies.
Graduates with a degree in linguistics find employment as teachers, translators, interpreters, editors, researchers, or literacy advocates; or work in foreign service, education, language institutes, or research libraries.
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite courses.
Advising Notes
Students are required to apply to the director of undergraduate studies for acceptance into the major. Students may apply to the major at any time, and are encouraged to discuss their academic plans with the director as early as possible. Students who have not completed the prerequisite courses may be accepted into the major on a provisional basis, pending successful completion of LIN 205 and LIN 207.
Prerequisite Courses
LIN 205 Introduction to Linguistic Analysis
LIN 207 Language, Society, and the Individual
Required Courses
LIN 301 Structure of English: The Sound System
LIN 302 Structure of English: Grammar and Lexicon
One of the following: LIN 315 Language in Its Social Setting, LIN 355 Child Language Development, or LIN 356 An Introduction to Contemporary Theories of Metaphor
One of the following: LIN 405 Bilingualism and Language Contact, LIN 421 Language and Culture, or LIN 495 Sociolinguistics
LIN 496 Internship (6 credits)
Four LIN electives (may apply one course with approved linguistic content from another department)
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 36
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements
FIRST YEAR
Fall or Spring - LIN 205, LIN 207
SECOND YEAR
Fall or Spring - LIN 301, LIN 302; one of the following: LIN 315, LIN 355, LIN 356
THIRD YEAR
Fall - Two LIN elective courses
Spring - LIN 405, LIN 421 or LIN 495
FOURTH YEAR
Fall - One 300/400-level LIN elective course
Spring - One 300/400-level LIN elective course
Fall and Spring - LIN 496
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite courses.
Advising Notes
Students are required to apply to the director of undergraduate studies for acceptance into the major. Students may apply to the major at any time, and are encouraged to discuss their academic plans with the director as early as possible. Students who have not completed the prerequisite courses may be accepted into the major on a provisional basis, pending successful completion of LIN 205 and LIN 207.
Prerequisite Courses
LIN 205 Introduction to Linguistic Analysis
LIN 207 Language, Society, and the Individual
Required Courses
LIN 301 Structure of English: The Sound System
LIN 302 Structure of English: Grammar and Lexicon
Two of the following: LIN 320 Language and the Brain, LIN 355 Child Language Development, LIN 417 Psycholinguistics, LIN 455 Language Acquisition
Two of the following: LIN 356 An Introduction to Contemporary Theories of Metaphor, LIN 413 Language and Cognition, LIN 421 Language and Culture, LIN 438 Semantics
Three LIN electives and one course with approved language and cognition content from another department.
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 36
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements
FIRST YEAR
Fall or Spring - LIN 205, LIN 207
SECOND YEAR
Fall or Spring - LIN 301, LIN 302, one L&C required course
THIRD YEAR
Fall - Two L&C required courses (or one L&C course from Linguistics and one course with language and cognition content from another department)
Spring - Two L&C required courses (or one L&C course from Linguistics and one course with language and cognition content from another department)
FOURTH YEAR
Fall - Two LIN electives, or one elective and one L&C required course
Spring - One LIN elective course
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite courses.
Advising Notes
Students are required to apply to the director of undergraduate studies for acceptance into the major. Students may apply to the major at any time, and are encouraged to discuss their academic plans with the director as early as possible. Students who have not completed the prerequisite courses may be accepted into the major on a provisional basis, pending successful completion of LIN 205 and LIN 207.
Prerequisite Courses
LIN 205 Introduction to Linguistic Analysis
LIN 207 Language, Society, and the Individual
Required Courses
LIN 301 Structure of English: The Sound System
LIN 302 Structure of English: Grammar and Lexicon
Four additional LIN courses with sociolinguistics, communication, or cultural content
Four LIN electives (may apply one course with approved linguistic content from another department)
Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 36
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements
FIRST YEAR
Fall or Spring - LIN 205, LIN 207
SECOND YEAR
Fall or Spring - LIN 301, LIN 302, one LIN required course
THIRD YEAR
Fall - Two LIN required/elective courses (one may be from another department)
Spring - Two LIN required/elective courses
FOURTH YEAR
Fall - Two 300/400-level LIN elective courses
Spring - One 300/400-level LIN elective course
The Linguistics department, in conjunction with the Teacher Education Institute and the Learning and Instruction department of the Graduate School of Education, offers a five-year program leading to the BA in Linguistics (Applied), New York State Certification for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (K-12), and a master�s degree in Education (TESOL). This program involves completing the BA in linguistics (applied track); the TEI Minor in Education which provides some of the coursework for state certification; and the master�s degree in Education (TESOL). The supervised teaching required for certification is also done at the graduate level. This combined degree is for very focused students who have decided early in their university careers that their professional goal is to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages in New York State public schools. The program is unique in the state of New York, and provides the optimal venue for students who wish to be in the classroom teaching in the shortest amount of time.
Students must first apply (typically during the first semester of the sophomore year or sooner) to the linguistics BA program.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite courses.
One letter of recommendation from a professor, and a short statement of purpose.
To continue in the program, students must be admitted to the TEI program as a minor in education (typically at the beginning of the second semester of the junior year), once they complete at least 75 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Other requirements include (1) two letters of recommendation from faculty, (2) written entrance examinations, (3) two oral interviews, and (4) completion of LAI 350 Introduction to Education with a grade of B or better. When students reach their eighth semester, they are administratively admitted into the EdM TESOL degree program, assuming successful progress up to this point. Students should work closely with Dr. Jaeger regarding appropriate general education courses to take toward fulfilling the New York State certification requirements.
Prerequisite Courses
LIN 205 Introduction to Linguistic Analysis
LIN 207 Language, Society, and the Individual.
Required Courses
BA IN LINGUISTICS (APPLIED)
LIN 301 Structure of English: The Sound System
LIN 302 Structure of English: Grammar and Lexicon
LIN 315 Language in its Social Setting or LIN 421 Language and Culture or LIN 495 Sociolinguistics
LIN 320 Language and the Brain or LIN 417 Psycholinguistics
LIN 405 Bilingualism and Language Contact
LIN 496 Teaching Internship
Four electives (one of which may be in a department other than linguistics)
UNDERGRADUATE MINOR IN TEACHER EDUCATION (TAILORED FOR ESL)
CEP 400 Educational Psychology
ELP 405 Sociology of Education
LAI 350 Introduction to Education
LAI 474 Students with Disabilities in the Regular Classroom
LAI 494 Instructional Strategies for K-12
LIN 355 Child Language Development or CDS 301 Language Development in Children or LIN 455 Language Acquisition
Note: Students must be admitted to the major in linguistics (applied) program, complete LAI 350 with a B or better, and meet additional requirements (see Advising Notes above) to pursue the minor in Education.
Required Courses
LAI 579 Literacy in a Second Language: Reading Focus
One course in the use of technology in education, selected from:
GSE 502 Educational Uses of the Internet
LAI 529 Computers in Early and Primary Education
LAI 536 Computers in Literacy Instruction
LAI 576 Literacy and Technology
LAI 599 Technology and Curriculum Integration
LAI 678 Hypermedia in Education
LAI 550 Literacy Acquisition and Instruction: Pre-K and Primary Grades
LAI 582 Principles of Language Acquisition: 1st & 2nd
LAI 585 Literacy in a Second Language: Writing Focus
LAI 587 Methods in ESL through Content Areas
LAI 594 Pedagogical Grammar of English
LAI 595 and LIN 699 Supervised Teaching
LAI 667 Field Experience
LAI 674 Seminar in Teaching
LAI 681 Understanding and Teaching Second Language Culture
LAI 682 Assessing Second Language Proficiency
Two LIN graduate-level electives
Summary
Total required credit hours for the undergraduate portion in linguistics: 102
Total required credit hours for the B.A./Ed.M. in TESOL: 150 (33 credit hours graduate coursework plus 15 credit hours field experience/student teaching)
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.
Refer to the Graduate School's Policies and Procedures manual for requirements for master�s degree candidates.
FIRST YEAR
Fall�LIN 205 or LIN 207
Spring�LIN 205 or LIN 207
SECOND YEAR
Fall�One undergraduate elective; LAI 350; LIN 301 or LIN 302
Spring�ELP 405; LIN 301 or LIN 302; LIN 405
THIRD YEAR
Fall�CDS 301 or LIN 355 or LIN 455; CEP 400, two LIN electives
Spring�LAI 474; LIN 315 or LIN 421 or LIN 495; LIN 320 or LIN 417; LIN 496, one LIN elective
FOURTH YEAR
Fall�LAI 494; LAI 529 or LAI 536 or LAI 576 or LAI 599 or LAI 673 or GSE 502; LAI 579
Spring�LAI 582, LAI 585, LAI 587, LAI 594, LAI 682
FIFTH YEAR
Fall�LAI 550, LAI 667, LAI 681, LIN graduate electives (6 credit hours)
Spring�LAI 595 and LIN 699 (9 credit hours), LAI 674
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite courses.
LIN 205 Introduction to Linguistic Analysis
LIN 207 Language, Society, and the Individual
LIN 301 Structure of English: Grammar and Lexicon
LIN 302 Structure of English: The Sound System
Two additional linguistics courses
Summary
Total required credit hours for the minor: 18
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
View Schedule
Surveys the ways in which natural languages have been, and are today, represented graphically throughout the world. We examine several types of systems (ideographic, logographic, syllabic, and alphabetic) and examine the linguistic principles that underlie each of these systems.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Overview of the world�s languages: what languages there are, what they are like, how they are similar, and how they are different.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Word roots in English, their history and development, meanings and combinations, usage and variations. Borrowings into and from English. English as a world language.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: SEM
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Varies each semester depending on instructor.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Language variation by ethnicity, race, class, gender, and religion in American society. (A cognate equivalent to UGC 211 American Pluralism.)
Credits: 3
Semester: F Sp
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Introduces the structure of language (phonetics, phonology, morphology, semantics, and syntax), looking at a broad variety of languages; approaches to linguistic analysis and theory.
Credits: 3
Semester: F Sp
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Introduces the functions of language in social groups; the acquisition of language; the relationships among language, thought, and culture; bilingualism and second language teaching.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Expression of meaning and linguistic concepts in a number of native languages of North America.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 205
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Sound structure of English, including the articulation of sounds, phonological patterns and alternations, and dialects.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 205
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Syntax and morphology of English, including lexical and grammatical categories, basic clause structure, and complex sentences.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Analyzes the social basis of conversational interaction on two levels: the linguistic structures of dialogue and the cultural models underlying interaction.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Localization and lateralization of language in the brain; aphasia, dyslexia, and other neurolinguistic disorders; developmental neurolinguistics.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Natural language applications such as search engines, and speech recognition play an increasingly important role in society. It seems like a very simple process, and yet it is very difficult. This class addresses the problems faced by computers in dealing with human language.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Acquisition of the structure and function of a child�s native language. Relationships among the development of language, cognition, biology, and social interaction.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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General overview of the analysis of metaphors and analogy from a linguistic and cognitive perspective.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Analyzing the sound systems of diverse languages.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 301 and LIN 302 or permission of instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Use of language in communicative acts (e.g., speech acts, conversational principles, text structure, discourse-governed grammatical alternations, topic, focus, and theme).
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 205 or permission of instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Linguistic, psychological, educational, and sociocultural characteristics of bilingualism, multilingualism, and language contact.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 205 or permission of instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: DIS
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Focuses on social and referential aspects of human communication.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 302 or permission of instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Structure of words; different theoretical approaches to the analysis of morphemes, words, and idioms.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 205 and LIN 207, or permission of instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Examines classificatory phenomena in lexical and grammatical structure from a cross-linguistic perspective, focusing on African, European, East Asian, and Native American languages.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 205
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Fundamentals of syntactic analysis, applied to data from a wide range of languages. Briefly introduces syntactic theory.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 205 and LIN 207, or permission of instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Psycholinguistic processes involved in producing and comprehending language, including speech sounds, meaning, lexicon, syntax, discourse, and literacy.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 207 or permission of instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Relationship between language and culture cross-culturally from the point of view of linguistic anthropology. Relies on primary readings, looking both at descriptive studies of particular languages and cultures, and theoretical issues, specifically the Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 302 or LIN 415
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Ways in which languages are similar to and different from each other, including morphological categories, word order, case marking, and grammatical relations.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 205
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Fundamental aspects of phonetics: articulation, aerodynamics, acoustics, suprasegmentals, phonetic features, sound change, and universals; focus on cross-linguistic analysis.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 205
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Thorough grounding in phonological analysis, using data from a wide variety of languages. Briefly introduces phonological theory.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 432
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Current developments in phonological theory, including derivational and non-derivational approaches.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 415
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Introduces contemporary syntactic theory, including generative and non-generative approaches.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 205
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Introduces basic concepts and methods in the analysis of natural language meaning.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 432 or permission of instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Language change, the divergence and convergence of dialects and languages in time and space, and linguistic reconstruction.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 415 or permission of instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Introduces the description of the meaning of sentences; focuses on how the meaning of sentences is built from the meaning of individual words.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 415, LIN 443, or permission of instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Surveys formal approaches to the study of meaning.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 301 and LIN 302; or LIN 432 and LIN 415
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Surveys the child�s linguistic development, primarily in phonology, morpho-syntax, semantics, and discourse; current controversies in acquisition theory.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 432 or equivalent
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Dialect in its diachronic and synchronic manifestations; social and regional variation; languages in contact; linguistic fieldwork.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: permission of instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC/REC
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Introduces the field of computational linguistics, which is concerned with the understanding and use of language by computers.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Explores the meanings of grammatical elements across languages in order to understand the fundamental conceptual structure of language in general.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: LIN 315 or permission of instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: LEC
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Language structure and development in social contexts of speech communities; processes of linguistic change; linguistic behavior as an index of social status; problems of language or dialect minorities.
Credits: 2 - 6
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: TUT
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The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.
Language teaching experience either in a UB department (Linguistics, a language department, English Language Institute, etc.), in the Buffalo public schools, or at a public service agency (International Institute of Buffalo, Herman Badillo Institute, Literacy Volunteers, etc.). Open to majors and non-majors. Apply to director of undergraduate studies.
Credits: 3 - 6
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: TUT
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The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.
Guidance in, and supervision of, the preparation of a research essay required to complete a degree with honors. Apply to director of undergraduate studies.
Credits: 3
Semester:
Prerequisites: permission of instructor
Corequisites: None
Type: TUT
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The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.
Advanced seminar on a special topic of linguistics research.
Credits: 1 - 12
Semester:
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Type: TUT
View Schedule
The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.
Apply to director of undergraduate studies.
Updated: Apr 12, 2006 11:04:29 AM