1076 Frieze Building
764-0353
Professor Marilyn Shatz, Director
May be elected as an interdepartmental concentration program
Professors
Madhav Deshpande, Sanskrit, Prakrit and Pali, linguistic traditions of
Indian grammarians
Steven Dworkin, Diachronic Romance, etymology, lexicology, derivational
morphology
Jeffrey Heath, Semantics, language mixing phenomena, Australian Aboriginal
languages, NW Africa including Moroccan Arabic
Peter E. Hook, Linguistic typology, Indo-Aryan languages
Deborah Keller-Cohen, Literacy, discourse analysis, psycholinguistics,
language learning
Lesley Milroy, Social dialectology and the sociolinguistics of bidialectalism
and bilingualism; conversation analysis [and its applications in institutional
contexts]
Joan Morley, Second language theory and methodology, English phonetics
and phonology
Marilyn Shatz, Cognitive psychology, linguistic development
Vitalij Shevoroshkin, Slavic linguistics, Anatolian, historical linguistics,
distant relatedness of languages
John Swales, English for specific purposes, discourse analysis, applied
linguistics, program design
Associate Professors
William Baxter, Chinese linguistics, historical phonology, semantics
Patrice Beddor, Phonetics, phonology, universals
John Lawler, Semantics, metaphor, morphology, computational linguistics
Rosina Lippi-Green, Sociolinguistics, social dialectology, language ideology,
Germanic linguistics
Thomas Toon, Historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, history and structure
of English
Assistant Professors
San Duanmu, Phonological theory, tonology, Chinese dialects
Karen van Hoek, Syntax of anaphora, cognitive grammar, American Sign
Language
Visiting Assistant Professor and Language Learning Visiting Research Assistant
Professor
James Myers, phonological theory, phonology-morphology, and phonology-phonetics
interfaces
Adjunct Professor
James Milroy, Sociolinguistics, Old Norse
Emeriti A.L. Becker, Robbins Burling, J.C. Catford, Peter Fodale,
William Gedney, Alexander Guiora, Kenneth Pike, Larry Selinker.
- Linguistics investigates all aspects of spoken and written human language.
It is especially concerned with the general principles of language structure,
with the structure and history of particular languages and groups of languages,
with the role of language in human experience, and with the techniques employed
in analyzing and describing language.
- The general field of linguistics includes several subfields. Phonetics
and phonology are especially concerned with the sounds of speech. Phonetics
emphasizes the manner in which speech sounds are produced by the vocal organs,
and phonology deals with the way in which speech sounds are organized in
languages. Syntax examines the way in which smaller units of language, such
as words, are organized into larger units, such as phrases and sentences.
Semantics seeks to understand how the forms of language are used to express
meaning. Historical and comparative linguistics are concerned with the ways
in which languages change through time, with the variations in language
from place to place, and with the possible relationship among languages.
Historical linguistics also includes the study of the history of specific
languages and language groups, and the reconstruction of pre-historic languages.
- In addition to these central areas of linguistics several other sub-disciplines
relate linguistics to other fields of study. Psycholinguistics treats language
in its psychological aspects and is especially concerned with the ways in
which cultural patterns and values relate to language structure, use, and
change. Sociolinguistics deals with the interrelationship of language and
society and with the covariation of language and social form. Computational
linguistics is concerned with the utilization of computational techniques
in the analysis of language. Areas in which the findings of linguists have
found application include: translation, the design and documentation of
computer software, language and national policy, speech pathology and speech
therapy, linguistic problems of minority children, the development of writing
systems for previously unwritten languages, the teaching of first language
skills such as reading and writing, and the teaching of second languages.
Concentration Program. The concentration
in linguistics requires courses totaling at least 30 credit hours at the
300-level or higher, of which up to 6 credits may, with the approval of
a concentration advisor, be cognate courses from another program or department.
Foreign language courses will not, ordinarily, count as cognates, but courses
about the structure or history of languages may do so.
Each concentrator will be required to take three courses that deal with
areas central to linguistics:
1. One course in phonetics or phonology, ordinarily Linguistics 313;
2. One course in semantics/pragmatics, ordinarily Linguistics 314; and
3. One course in the areas of syntax or typology, ordinarily Linguistics
315 or 318.
Beyond these three basic courses, each student should work with a concentration
advisor in order to develop a program that meets his or her special interests.
A concentration program that focuses upon linguistic analysis is possible,
but since language is important to a wide range of human affairs, we also
encourage students to combine the formal study of linguistics with serious
work in one of the other disciplines where linguistic skills are relevant.
Among the possible foci that a concentration in linguistics allows are the
following. Additional information about concentration requirements and alternative
curricula can be obtained from the Program offices.
1. Linguistics and a Language. Students who wish to combine linguistics
with work in a particular language can take courses dealing with the history
and structure of that language. Appropriate cognate courses can be drawn
from the art, music, history or anthropology of the area in which the language
is spoken. Students interested in a particular language will ordinarily
be expected to be able to use the spoken and written language, but courses
that teach the use of the language, as opposed to courses about the
language, will not count toward the concentration requirements in linguistics.
2. Individual, Society, and Language. Students interested in language
as related to society and the individual can combine the basic courses in
linguistics with courses drawn from socio-, psycho- and anthropological
linguistics.
3. Computational Linguistics. A basic set of courses in linguistics
can be combined with several courses in computer science. Such a concentration
is appropriate for students interested in computational linguistics, artificial
intelligence, natural and programming languages, and the computer analysis
of natural language. An appropriate set of courses in computer science could
include CS 280 as a prerequisite, followed by CS 380, CS 381, Assembler
Language, CS 492, Artificial Intelligence, and CS 595/ Linguistics 541,
Natural Language Structures.
4. The Linguistics of Texts and Discourse. Students interested in
applying the methods of linguistic analysis to natural spoken and written
texts can combine the study of linguistics with the linguistic analysis
of texts.
5. Linguistics and Language Learning. Students can combine the basic
set of linguistic courses with others that focus upon second language acquisition
and with those that treat the acquisition of their first language by children
that are offered by both the Program and the Psychology Department.
6. Linguistic Analysis. Students who desire a more intensive concentration
in the analysis of language can complete their concentration with more advanced
courses in linguistics. Appropriate courses include Phonetics, Advanced
Phonology, Intermediate Syntax, Typology, and Historical Linguistics, Sociolinguistics,
and Discourse Analysis.
Double Concentration. Language is ubiquitous in human life, and therefore
Linguistics touches on many other disciplines. As a consequence, a concentration
in Linguistics can be made to dovetail very well with the study of other
academic fields, and a large proportion of current Linguistics concentrators
complete double concentrations. An LS&A double concentration requires
satisfying all of the concentration requirements of both programs, though
appropriately chosen courses may count towards both concentrations simultaneously.
Students considering a double concentration in Linguistics and some other
field in LS&A should consult concentration advisors in both fields.
Honors Concentration. The Honors concentration in linguistics includes
completion of the requirements for the concentration and, in addition, a
senior Honors project leading to an Honors thesis. The thesis must be written
under the supervision of a faculty member of the Program in Linguistics
and with permission of a concentration advisor. Students may (but are not
required to) elect Linguistics 495 and/or 496 when writing the Honors thesis.
Advising. Students should inquire at the Program office or the Academic
Advising Center (1255 Angell Hall) for information about advising. Advising
appointments may be made by e-mail; visit the Program's Web Page (http://www.umich.edu/ling/)
for further details.
Half-Term Information. Courses offered during the Spring or Summer
half terms are normally for 2 credits.
Courses in Linguistics (Division 423)
102. First Year Seminar (Humanities). (3). (HU).
103. First Year Seminar (Social Science). (3). (SS).
104. First Year Seminar (Introductory Composition). (4). (Introductory
Composition).
112. Languages of the World. (3; 2 in the half-term). (SS).
114. A World of Words. (3; 2 in the half-term). (HU).
210. Introduction to Linguistics. (3). (SS).
211. Introduction to Language. (3; 2 in the half-term). (SS).
272/Anthro. 272. Language in Society. Primarily for freshmen
and sophomores. (4). (SS). (This course meets the Race and Ethnicity Requirement).
313. Sound Patterns. Sophomore standing. (3). (SS).
314. Text, Context, and Meaning. Sophomore standing. (3).
(Excl).
315. Introduction to Sentence Analysis. (3). (Excl).
317. Language and History. (3). (HU).
318. Types of Languages. One course in linguistics. (3). (Excl).
350. Perspectives on Second Language Learning and Second Language
Instruction. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
351. Second Language Acquisition. (3). (SS).
361. Studies in American Sign Language. (3). (Excl).
395. Individual Research. Permission of instructor. (2-4).
(Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.
406/English 406. Modern English Grammar. (3). (Excl).
410/Anthro. 474. Language and Discrimination: Language as Social
Statement. (3). (SS).
411. Introduction to Linguistics. Not open to students with
credit for Ling. 211. (3). (SS).
412. Phonetics. (3). (Excl).
413. Phonology. (3). (Excl).
414. Semantics and Pragmatics. A course in Linguistics, junior
standing, or permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).
415. Generative Syntax. (3). (Excl).
417/Anthro. 476/German 417. Principles and Methods of Historical
Linguistics. Ling. 411 or equivalent. (3). (Excl).
419. Discourse Analysis. A course in linguistics, junior standing,
or permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).
429. Discourse Analysis and Language Teaching. (3). (Excl).
442/Anthro. 478. Introduction to Sociolinguistics. Ling. 411
or equivalent. (3). (Excl).
447/Psych. 445. Psychology of Language. Psych. 340. (3). (Excl).
451/Psych. 451. Development of Language and Thought. Psych.
350. (3). (SS).
455. Introduction to Cognitive Grammar. One of the following:
Ling. 210, 211, 411, Psych. 447, or 451; or permission of instructor. (3).
(Excl).
473/Anthro. 473. Ethnopoetics: Cross-Cultural Approaches to Verbal
Art. Two courses in anthropology, linguistics or literature, or permission
of instructor. (3; 2 in the half-term). (Excl).
492. Topics in Linguistics. (3). (Excl). May be elected for
credit twice.
493. Undergraduate Reading. Permission of the concentration
advisor. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for credit with permission
of concentration advisor.
494. Undergraduate Reading. Permission of the concentration
advisor. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for credit with permission
of concentration advisor.
495. Senior Honors Reading Course. Permission of concentration
advisor. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT).
496. Senior Honors Reading Course. Permission of concentration
advisor. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT).