Department of Linguistics
Linguistics Department Overview
Because language is a window into the mind. Linguistics provides an understanding of the human capacity to acquire, perceive, and produce language and of language’s role in contemporary society.
The Linguistics Department at KU offers a full range of degrees: B.A., B.G.S., M.A. and Ph.D. The department also offers an undergraduate minor and a Mind and Brain certificate program offered through the Psychology Department. A certificate in Second Language Studies (SLS), which is offered through the Department of Slavic, German, and Eurasian Studies, is another option for graduate students. The first linguistics courses at KU were offered in 1957. In 1968, Linguistics became a department and was authorized to offer a Ph.D. degree. Today, the unique strength of the Linguistics department is the systematic pairing of theoretical and experimental investigations of linguistic knowledge. Its nucleus of full-time faculty members in Linguistics, plus several actively involved faculty members in other departments, serves a student body of about 35 graduate students, 80 undergraduate majors, and many non-majors taking introductory and intermediate courses each semester.
Areas of special strength in the graduate program include Phonetics, Phonology, Syntax, Semantics, First and Second Language Acquisition, Psycholinguistics, Neurolinguistics, and the study of Indigenous Languages. The department also cooperates with other departments, such as Speech-Language-Hearing, Child Language, Indigenous Nations Studies, Anthropology, Education and Human Sciences, and Psychology
Research Facilities
The Department of Linguistics houses 6 research and teaching laboratories.
The Developmental Psycholinguistics Laboratory is equipped to investigate how preschool-age children acquire and use the knowledge of meaning in their first language. The lab uses various psycholinguistic tasks, such as linguistic comprehension tasks and the visual-world eye tracking paradigm, to assess children’s representation and real-time processing of meaning. The lab houses an eye tracking system with a remote camera designed specifically for children to participate in the visual-world eye tracking paradigm.
The Field Linguistics Laboratory provides an environment for on-site elicitation work with speakers as well as the processing, analysis, and archiving of field data. The laboratory is equipped with computer workstations and an assortment of audio/video recording devices suitable for a range of fieldwork projects including one-to-one interviews, audio recording and transcription, and data analysis.
The Neurolinguistics and Language Processing Laboratory is fully equipped for multi-method, cross-linguistic research on the implementation of language in the brain. The laboratory includes a 70-channel Neuroscan Synamps2 EEG system for visual and auditory ERP (event-related potentials) studies, and two dedicated testing rooms for psycholinguistic experiments including lexical decision, priming, and self-paced reading. Brain imaging studies, including MEG and fMRI, are conducted at the Hoglund Brain Imaging Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City.
The Phonetics and Psycholinguistics Laboratory provides an integrated environment for the experimental study of speech and language, including production, perception, and acquisition. Primary research areas in the lab are acoustic and auditory phonetics as well as spoken and written word recognition, all across a variety of languages. Software includes MultiSpeech and Praat for speech analysis and Paradigm, Superlab, and Matlab for collecting responses from up to six subjects simultaneously. Digital noise-free recordings are made in our anechoic chamber.
The Second Language Acquisition Laboratory is equipped with 5 computer workstations and 2 dedicated testing rooms. Computers are equipped with software for running psycholinguistic experiments (including interpretation tasks, reaction time, self-paced reading, and speeded grammaticality judgment) and for conducting statistical analyses. Primary research areas in the lab are the acquisition and processing of syntax and semantics by adult second language learners, all across a variety of languages. Our research focuses on the linguistic and cognitive factors that impact acquisition at varying stages of development.
The Sociolinguistics Laboratory at the University of Kansas studies the relationships between language variation, social meaning, and cognition. We are interested in questions like: How does language vary and change? What do people know about language and the way people use it? How does this knowledge develop? And how do people use this knowledge when communicating? We run experiments, delve into language corpora, and collect naturalistic speech data to answer these questions.
Undergraduate Programs
The department offers a broad range of courses that provide a basic understanding of human language and communication. Linguistics courses examine features of language that underlie the human capacity to express concepts and communicate ideas. The courses address the connections between language, brain, culture, mind, and history. By pursuing a B.A., B.G.S., or minor in Linguistics, students gain an understanding of the human capacity to acquire, perceive, and produce language and of language’s role in contemporary society. Through in-class discussions, hands-on activities, and opportunities for engaging in faculty-mentored independent research, undergraduate students studying Linguistics develop critical thinking and research skills that will prepare them for advanced studies in Linguistics and for a wide range of careers in which critical thinking, analytical skills and the ability to effectively develop and communicate evidence-based arguments are valued.
Linguistics is a superb preparation for careers that require expertise in the use of language as a means of communication, including business, technology, communications, marketing, diplomacy, personnel administration, teaching, health care, and social service. Many majors pursue graduate study in linguistics, education, law, psychology, computer science, speech and hearing sciences, and languages.
Graduate Programs
M.A. Overview
Our M.A. program in Linguistics requires the student to develop a solid understanding of the core areas of the discipline in addition to an in-depth specialty in one of the many areas available through the research interests of the faculty. Areas of special strength in the graduate program include phonetics, phonology, syntax, psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, first language acquisition, second language acquisition, semantics, and the study of indigenous languages.
The student will work with their academic advisor to devise a course of study that best suits the student's research interests.
The M.A. program usually takes two years. Students in the M.A. program complete a written Research Proposal and an Oral Examination of the Research Proposal, typically in their fourth semester of study. Students are required to take an Advanced II-level course to develop their understanding of research in their area of interest.
Ph.D. Overview
Our Ph.D. program in Linguistics requires the student to develop a solid understanding of the core areas of the discipline in addition to an in-depth specialty in one of the many areas available through the research interests of the faculty. Areas of special strength in the graduate program include phonetics, phonology, syntax, psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, first language acquisition, second language acquisition, semantics, and the study of indigenous languages.
The student will work with their academic advisor to devise a course of study that best suits the student's research interests.
The Ph.D. program usually takes five years which includes completing an M.A. degree en route to the Ph.D. All Ph.D. students receive a five-year funding package.
Non-Degree Seeking
Students who are interested in enrolling in graduate level coursework in the Department of Linguistics without formal admission to a graduate program at KU are encouraged to apply for graduate non-degree seeking student status. See the department's admission webpage for further details.
Courses
This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of human language, surveying a number of areas that are central to linguistic theory (sound, structure, and meaning). The course builds fundamental skills in analyzing linguistic data, drawing on examples from languages spoken all over the world. A key goal of the course is to present the argument that all language varieties have systematic rules. Students will be asked to critically examine this argument, drawing on empirical research in linguistics. (Same as ANTH 106.)
This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of human language, surveying a number of areas that are central to linguistic theory (sound, structure, and meaning). The course builds fundamental skills in analyzing linguistic data, drawing on examples from languages spoken all over the world. A core goal of the course is to present the argument that all language varieties have systematic rules. Students will be asked to critically examine this argument, drawing on empirical research in linguistics. (Same as ANTH 107.)
A study of the relation between language and the human mind, focusing on language as a fundamental aspect of human cognition. Topics include what is innate and what is learned during first and second language acquisition, how we process language, how animals communicate, how language may influence our thoughts, and whether there are areas of the brain specialized for language. Through a range of activities including in-class discussions, hands-on exercises, and linguistic experiments, you will develop your ability to critically evaluate claims about the mind and language and to use evidence from a variety of languages to discover how language is acquired, used, and organized in the human brain.
A study of the relation between language and the human mind, focusing on language as a fundamental aspect of human cognition. Topics include what is innate and what is learned during first and second language acquisition, how we process language, how animals communicate, how language may influence our thoughts, and whether there are areas of the brain specialized for language. Through a range of activities including in-class discussions, hands-on exercises, and linguistic experiments, you will develop your ability to critically evaluate claims about the mind and language and to use evidence from a variety of languages to discover how language is acquired, used, and organized in the human brain. Prerequisite: Open only to students admitted to the University Honors Program, or by consent of instructor.
An introduction to the acoustic structure of speech intended for nonscience majors. Emphasis will be placed on the methods and standards by which scientists measure and evaluate the physical characteristics of speech. Topics will include: simple harmonic motion, the propagation of sound waves, aerodynamic aspects of vocal fold vibration, resonance, digital speech processing, frequency analysis, and speech synthesis. Three class hours and one laboratory per week. (Same as SPLH 220.) Prerequisite: MATH 101 or 104 or equivalent.
A limited-enrollment, seminar course for first-time freshmen, addressing current issues in Linguistics. Course is designed to meet the US Culture of the KU Core 34. First-Year Seminar topics are coordinated and approved by the Undergraduate Education Office within Academic Affairs. Prerequisite: Open to Freshmen only (less than 30 hours).
A limited-enrollment, seminar course for first-time freshmen, organized around current issues in linguistics. Course is designed to meet the critical thinking learning outcome of the KU Core. May not contribute to major requirements in linguistics. First year seminar topics are coordinated and approved by the Office of Academic Programs and Experiential Learning. Prerequisite: Open to Freshmen only (less than 30 hours).
LING 180. Study Abroad Topics in Linguistics: _____. 1-3 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in Linguistics. Coursework must be arranged through the Office of KU Study Abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
This course provides an introduction to the concepts of applied translation as well as an overview of translation theory. Translation is a severely misunderstood activity and profession, and mechanical translation has been justifiably downgraded in communicative foreign language teaching. This course is intended for students of any foreign language (classical or modern) who are interested in the field and profession of literary and non-literary translation. The course focuses on written translation and does not treat (oral) interpretation in detail. (Same as AAAS 250, GERM 240, SLAV 250 and SPAN 202.) Prerequisite: Study of a foreign language, minimum two semesters of the same language.
LING 305. Phonetics I. 3 Credits.
This course provides a basic introduction to the study of human speech sounds. Topics to be covered include anatomy and physiology of the speech production apparatus, transcription and production of the world's sounds, basic acoustics, computerized methods for speech analysis, acoustic characteristics of speech sounds, stress, and intonation. A hands on laboratory project is part of the course. Prerequisite: An introductory course in Linguistics, or by consent of instructor.
Practice in applying the techniques of phonological, grammatical, and syntactic analysis learned in introductory linguistics to data taken from a variety of languages of different structural types. Prerequisite: LING 106.
LING 312. Phonology I. 3 Credits.
This course focuses on crucial phonological concepts such as contrast, alternation, neutralization, distinctive features, and the syllable. It also provides students with basic skills for phonological analysis, including the selection of underlying representations, rule notation, rule ordering, identifying phonological universals, and how to make an informed decision when multiple analyses are viable. In addition, it discusses the external motivations for phonological grammar and relates phonology to other disciplines in linguistics such as language acquisition and psycholinguistics. Not open to students who have taken LING 712. Prerequisite: LING 305.
Language is an integral part of culture and an essential means by which people carry out their social interactions with the members of their society. The course explores the role of language in everyday life of peoples in various parts of the world and the nature of the relationship between language and culture. Topics include world-view as reflected in language, formal vs. informal language, word taboo, and ethnography of speaking. (Same as ANTH 320.)
LING 325. Syntax I. 3 Credits.
An introduction to generative syntax with special attention to theory and method. The course covers such topics as phrase structure, the lexicon, transformations and derivation. Prerequisite: LING 106.
LING 338. Languages of the Jews. 3 Credits.
From the beginning, Jewish history and culture is closely tied to language, from Hebrew and Aramaic to the languages of diaspora such as Yiddish and Ladino. Focusing on issues of language in society, this course will survey the languages spoken by the Jews throughout their long history in diverse communities around the world. We will learn about Hebrew as a spoken and a sacred language, examine how Jewish languages are born and die, and discuss the resurrection of Modern Hebrew in the state of Israel. All readings are in English. No prior knowledge of languages or linguistics is required. (Same as JWSH 338.)
LING 339. Languages of the Jews, Honors. 3 Credits.
This course is an introduction to bilingualism in the U.S. and in the world. It explores the linguistic, sociolinguistic, and psycholinguistic aspects of bilingualism. We will consider how bilingualism impacts language itself, considering the new varieties that emerge as languages come into contact. We will also consider bilingualism at the societal level, considering how language policies and notions of 'prestige' impact language communities and whether they are able to preserve their languages. Finally, we will consider bilingualism at the individual level, considering how using two or more languages on a daily basis impacts language acquisition and language processing. We will also consider whether using more than one language affords certain cognitive advantages. We will discuss these topics to better understand research in this area and think critically about what relevance this research has in real world settings such as homes, classrooms, corporations, and clinical settings. The final project will ask you to make a proposal/argument related to bilingualism based on primary research in this area. The main goal will be to consider how research findings can be used to inform a real-world problem and how to best communicate those findings to the general public.
LING 345. Language and Gender. 3 Credits.
This course explores the relationship between language use and gender. The course will specifically focus on how gender affects the ways we use spoken language as well as how we interpret the speech of others. Topics to be discussed will include the function of language in social relationships and language variation in different social contexts.
A survey of the indigenous languages of Africa from a linguistic perspective, covering the main language families and their geographic distribution, and focusing on the features and structure of the more widely spoken and representative languages in each family (e.g., Fula, Hausa, Maninka, Swahili, Yoruba). (Same as AAAS 370.)
LING 380. Study Abroad Topics in Linguistics: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in Linguistics at the junior/senior level. Coursework must be arranged through the Office of KU Study Abroad.
LING 415. Second Language Acquisition I. 3 Credits.
Introduction to the study of second language acquisition: The application of theoretical linguistics to the description of the language that a learner acquires, and to the process of acquisition. Prerequisite: An introductory course in linguistics.
LING 418. Introduction to Cognitive Science. 3 Credits.
Examines the data and methodologies of the disciplines that comprise Cognitive Science, an interdisciplinary approach to studying the mind and brain. Topics may include: consciousness, artificial intelligence, linguistics, education and instruction, neural networks, philosophy, psychology, anthropology, evolutionary theory, cognitive neuroscience, human-computer interaction, and robotics. (Same as PHIL 418, PSYC 418, and SPLH 418.) Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
In this course you will get hands-on experience carrying out research in the language sciences, including designing, conducting, and presenting your own research. Topics covered in the class include formulating a research question and predictions; defining and recognizing critical thinking; using inferential statistics; and understanding common techniques, experiment paradigms, and research tools used in linguistics. Over the course of the semester you will work with classmates and with guidance from the instructor on formulating a research question and carrying out at least one part of the research to address it. This course will build your skills to critically evaluate claims about the world and identify ways to answer open questions – skills that are useful not only for linguistic research but also for career preparation for personal development. Prerequisite: LING 305, LING 312, LING 325, and either LING 415, LING 425, LING 435, or LING 438.
This course, an on-site practicum in Linguistics, explores the similarities and differences among the worlds' languages. Students apply their knowledge of phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax in describing and analyzing phenomena from a number of languages. The typological perspective that students develop is applied to topics such as word order, morphological typology, case, lexical categories, and valency. In addition to lecture style instruction, students get hands on practice in collecting, transcribing, and analyzing data from different languages through face to face elicitation with native speakers. Instruction builds discipline-specific knowledge and skills for career preparation. Prerequisite: LING 305, LING 312, and LING 325.
LING 425. First Language Acquisition I. 3 Credits.
An introductory course in the acquisition of child language. The course will examine the fundamental claims of modern first language acquisition theories and evaluate these theories by discussing core findings in domains of children’s acquisition of speech sounds, words, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. The course will also cover relevant issues including bilingual first language acquisition, cross-linguistic research, child language processing, language and cognition in child development, methods in child language research, and atypical language development. This course is offered at the 400 and 700 level with additional assignments at the 700 level. Not open to students who have taken CLDP/LING 709. Prerequisite: An introductory course in linguistics.
LING 430. Linguistics in Anthropology. 3 Credits.
The study of language as a symbolic system. Exploration into the interrelatedness of linguistic systems, of nonlinguistic communicative systems, and of other cultural systems. (Same as ANTH 430.)
LING 435. Psycholinguistics I. 3 Credits. LFE
A detailed examination of issues in the processing of language. The course provides a survey of research and theory in psycholinguistics, reflecting the influence of linguistic theory and experimental psychology. Spoken and written language comprehension and language production processes are examined. (Same as PSYC 435.) Prerequisite: An introductory course in linguistics or consent of instructor.
LING 438. Neurolinguistics I. 3 Credits.
The course explores how language is represented and processed in the human brain. This includes a critical survey of the foundations and the current research in the cognitive neuroscience of language, focusing on the techniques of functional brain imaging (fMRI, PET, EEG. MEG, and related methods), and research on aphasia and other language disorders. This course also includes a component providing laboratory experience with brain imaging research on language. Prerequisite: An introductory course in Linguistics.
LING 443. Language Variation and Change. 3 Credits.
This course will introduce students to theories of language variation and change from a quantitative variationist sociolinguistic perspective. We will take a broad perspective, tracing the development of variationist sociolinguistic theory from its foundations to its current state. Topics include the social structure of the speech community, principles of linguistic change, theoretical developments across the "three waves” of sociolinguistic theory, social meaning and evaluation, linguistic style, sociolinguistic cognition, and quantitative variationist methods. Students will read and discuss foundational and recent literature in the field and complete scaffolded assignments culminating in a final course project that will give students the opportunity to articulate a research question and practice applying appropriate sociolinguistic methods to real-world data. The class will collectively define a speech community to study and work together to develop a mini corpus of speech data. Coursework will provide students with the tools needed to collect sociolinguistic interviews, transcribe and process speech data, and compile data into a class corpus. While we will collect and process data as a class, each student will choose a research question for the final project and will investigate this question using the analytical tools of their choice. This course is offered at the 400 and 700 level with additional assignments at the 700 level. Not open to students with credit in LING 743. Prerequisite: LING 305.
This course introduces students to the indigenous languages of North America. Students critically examine the structures and status of these languages, which have greatly expanded our knowledge of human language and linguistic theory. Topics include the history and future of North American languages and indigenous speech communities, the history of the field of Americanist linguistics, as well as important linguistic questions raised by phenomena from American languages in phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and historical linguistics. Prerequisite: An introductory course in linguistics. Not open to students enrolled in 747
Examines issues and problems associated with language use in sub-Saharan Africa from a sociological perspective. Topics covered include an overview of the types of languages spoken on the continent: indigenous languages, colonial languages, pidgins and creoles, and Arabic as a religious language; problems associated with the politics of literacy and language planning; writing and standardization of indigenous languages; and the cultural and ideological dilemmas of language choice. (Same as AAAS 470.) Prerequisite: AAAS 103, AAAS 305, or LING 106; or consent of instructor.
A special research project or directed readings in an area of linguistics not covered in other courses. No more than 3 hours of LING 490 may be applied toward the requirements for the major. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
LING 491. Topics in Linguistics: _____. 1-3 Credits.
The content, prerequisites, and credits of this course will vary. May be repeated.
Individual directed research and preparation of an essay on a linguistic topic. Prerequisite: A grade-point average of 3.5 in linguistics and consent of the major adviser.
This course is a continuation of Phonetics I (LING 305/705) and provides a more detailed survey of acoustic and auditory phonetics. Topics to be covered include vocal tract acoustics, quantal theory, speaker normalization, theories of speech perception, prosody, the phonetics of second language acquisition, and the production and perception of cues to gender, talker, region, and socio-economic status. In addition, a number of laboratory projects are required. Prerequisite: LING 305.
This course discusses the problems in rule-based phonology that led to the development of Optimality Theory. Discussions of Optimality Theory include its basis architecture, the nature of markedness constraints, the role of phonetics in the theory, correspondence between different levels of representation, and how variants of the theory can model free and lexical variation. A selection of the following topics will also be included depending on class interest: interface between phonology and morphology, syntax, and the lexicon, reduplication, loanword phonology, biases in phonological learning, stress, and tone. The course has a particular focus on theory-building, with discussions on the how to lay out the predictions of a theoretical proposal, and how phonological predictions can be tested using experimental methods. Not open to students who have taken LING 714. Prerequisite: LING 312 or consent of instructor.
This course will provide in-depth reading and discussion of several current topics in second language acquisition with a focus on psycholinguistic approaches to second language acquisition and sentence processing. Both theoretical and methodological issues will be discussed. Students will design a research proposal in the course of the semester. This course is offered at the 500 and 700 level with additional assignments at the 700 level. Not open to students with credit in LING 716. Prerequisite: LING 325 or consent of instructor.
An advanced course covering one or more current theories of syntax. The course provides in-depth reading and discussion on the major areas of syntactic theory including universal grammar, phrase structure theory; lexicon and argument structure; binding, control, locality conditions; constraints on representation and derivation; and the relation between syntax and the semantic module. Prerequisite: LING 325.
LING 527. Morphology. 3 Credits.
An exploration of several topics in word structure and formation. Covers three broad areas: traditional morphology, morpho-phonology, and morpho-syntax. Traditional morphology includes a survey of several kinds of word formation processes, the internal structure of words, morpheme types, inflection, paradigms, derivation, and compounding. Morpho-phonology deals with phonological constraints on morphological processes and prosodic morphology. Morpho- syntax concentrates on the syntactic properties of morphological phenomena and interaction of syntactic processes and morphology. The course has a strong emphasis on cross-linguistic comparative morphology. Prerequisite: LING 312 and LING 325, or consent of instructor.
LING 531. Semantics. 3 Credits.
This course explores how meaning works in the grammar of natural languages. Students actively learn and apply formal structures to meaning in relation to truth, logic, and morphosyntax. The course emphasizes the role of context in semantic and pragmatic interpretation, including using context-based elicitation techniques to collect semantic data. Other topics include the nature of events and argument structure, tense and aspect, reference and binding, quantification and scope, and the semantic motivation behind syntactic structures. This course is offered at the 500 and 700 level, with additional assignments at the 700 level. Not open to students with credit in LING 731. Prerequisite: LING 325 or consent of instructor.
An in-depth examination of selected topics in psycholinguistics. Topics may include spoken language processing, written language processing, neurolinguistics, prosody, and syntactic processing. Prerequisite: LING 435 or consent of instructor.
LING 539. First Language Acquisition II. 3 Credits.
A second semester course in child language that explores the acquisition of morphology, syntax, and the ways in which morphology and syntax interact in linguistic theory and language development. Topics covered in the course include agreement, case, null subjects, question formation, pronoun binding, quantification, and control. Prerequisite: LING 425 or consent of instructor.
The elicitation and analysis of phonological, grammatical, and discourse data from a language consultant. In-depth research on one language. Techniques of research design, methods of phonetic transcription, grammatical annotation, and analysis of language context. Prerequisite: LING 305 and LING 325 or consent of instructor.
LING 542. Neurolinguistics II. 3 Credits.
An in-depth discussion of the representation and processing of language from a cognitive neuroscience perspective. This course involves critical discussion of selected topics of current research interest in neurolinguistics. The course also includes a significant hands-on component, in which students receive training in research on the cognitive neuroscience of language by developing and implementing a new EEG study on an aspect of language, as well by completing as a series of mini-labs introducing neuroimaging methods and analyses. Prerequisite: LING 438 or consent of instructor.
The course examines the links between language structure, patterns of use, language choice, and language attitudes in the diglossic and bi-lingual Arabic-speaking communities. It also explores language as a reflector and creator of Arab culture (e.g. linguistic encoding of politeness, the Quranic text as the spoken and written word, the role of tropes in Arabic rhetoric). The topics for discussion range from the micro-level language choice to the macro-level issues of national language policies and planning within the domain of government and education across the Arab world. (Same as AAAS 543)
LING 570. The Structure of Japanese. 3 Credits.
This course will explore Japanese, discovering the phonetic, phonological, morphological, syntactic and semantic features of the language, and discussing the actual use of Japanese in social/cultural contexts. The course will also discuss the acquisition of Japanese, both in children and adult learners. This course will be primarily for students who want to learn about the linguistic aspects of Japanese, rather than to gain a practical command of it. (Same as EALC 570.) Prerequisite: A previous LING, JPN, or EALC course.
A detailed study of the phonological and grammatical structure of Chinese and the interactions between language and culture. Depending on student interests, a unit on the pedagogy of teaching Chinese as a foreign language may also be included. Primarily for students who want a linguistic knowledge of the language rather than a practical command of it. (Same as EALC 572.)
LING 575. The Structure of: _____. 3 Credits.
A detailed study of a language, including its phonological, morphological, syntactic and semantic characteristics. The course provides students with a linguistic knowledge of the language rather than a practical command of it. Prerequisite: A course in linguistics.
LING 705. Phonetics I. 3 Credits.
This course provides a basic introduction to the study of human speech sounds. Topics to be covered include anatomy and physiology of the speech production apparatus, transcription and production of the world's sounds, basic acoustics, computerized methods for speech analysis, acoustic characteristics of speech sounds, stress, and intonation. A 'hands on' laboratory project is part of the course. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.
LING 707. Phonetics II. 3 Credits. LFE
This course is a continuation of Phonetics I (LING 705) and provides a more detailed survey of acoustic and auditory phonetics. Topics to be covered include vocal tract acoustics, quantal theory, speaker normalization, theories of speech perception, prosody, the phonetics of second language acquisition, and the production and perception of cues to gender, talker, region, and socio-economic status. In addition, a number of laboratory projects will be required. Prerequisite: LING 705 or consent of instructor.
LING 709. First Language Acquisition I. 3 Credits.
An introductory course in the acquisition of child language. The course will examine the fundamental claims of modern first language acquisition theories and evaluate these theories by discussing core findings in domains of children’s acquisition of speech sounds, words, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. The course will also cover relevant issues including bilingual first language acquisition, cross-linguistic research, child language processing, language and cognition in child development, methods in child language research, and atypical language development. This course is offered at the 400 and 700 level with additional assignments at the 700 level. Not open to students who have taken LING 425. (Same as CLDP 709.) Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.
LING 712. Phonology I. 3 Credits.
This course focuses on crucial phonological concepts such as contrast, alternation, neutralization, distinctive features, and the syllable. It also provides students with basic skills for phonological analysis, including the selection of underlying representations, rule notation, rule ordering, identifying phonological universals, and how to make an informed decision when multiple analyses are viable. In addition, it discusses the external motivations for phonological grammar and relates phonology to other disciplines in linguistics such as language acquisition and psycholinguistics. Not open to students who have taken LING 312. Prerequisite: LING 705.
LING 714. Phonology II. 3 Credits.
This course discusses the problems in rule-based phonology that led to the development of Optimality Theory. Discussions of Optimality Theory include its basic architecture, the nature of markedness constraints, the role of phonetics in the theory, correspondence between different levels of representation, and how variants of the theory can model free and lexical variation. A selection of the following topics will also be included depending on class interest: interface between phonology and other components of the grammar (e.g., morphology, syntax, and the lexicon), reduplication, loanword phonology, biases in phonological learning, stress, and tone. The course has a particular focus on theory-building, with discussions on how to lay out the predictions of a theoretical proposal and how phonological predictions can be tested using experimental methods. Not open to students who have taken LING 514. Prerequisite: LING 712.
LING 715. Second Language Acquisition I. 3 Credits.
Introduction to the study of second language acquisition: The application of theoretical linguistics to the description of the language a learner acquires, and to the process of acquisition. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.
LING 716. Second Language Acquisition II. 3 Credits.
This course will provide in-depth reading and discussion of several current topics including second language acquisition with a focus on psycholinguistic approaches to second language acquisition and sentence processing. Both theoretical and methodological issues will be discussed. Students will design a research proposal in the course of the semester. This course is offered at the 500 and 700 level with additional assignments at the 700 level. Not open to students with credit in LING 516. Prerequisite: LING 715 and LING 725, which may be taken concurrently, or consent of instructor.
LING 720. Research Methods in Linguistics. 3 Credits.
This course provides a foundation for designing, conducting, and critically evaluating quantitative and qualitative research in the language sciences. Topics include formulating a research hypothesis, participant selection, ethical considerations, the scientific method, validity, reliability, data collection, dependent and independent variables, descriptive and inferential statistics. This course will serve students who are interested in the basics of research design and statistics for the study of language. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.
LING 725. Syntax I. 3 Credits.
The basics of theoretical syntax, examining the principles of universal grammar. Topics include phrase structure, relations among syntactic constituents, and the nature of syntactic rules and lexical categories. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.
LING 726. Syntax II. 3 Credits.
An advanced course covering one or more current theories of syntax. The course will provide in-depth reading and discussion on the major areas of syntactic theory including universal grammar, phrase structure theory, lexical projections of argument structure, binding, control, locality condition, constraints on representation, and the relation between syntax and the semantic module. Prerequisite: LING 725.
LING 727. Morphology. 3 Credits.
An exploration of several topics in word structure and formation. Covers three broad areas: traditional morphology, morpho-phonology, and morpho-syntax. Traditional morphology includes a survey of several kinds of word formation processes, the internal structure of words, morpheme types, inflection, paradigms, derivation, and compounding. Morpho-phonology deals with phonological constraints on morphological processes and prosodic morphology. Morpho syntax concentrates on the syntactic properties of morphological phenomena and interaction of syntactic processes and morphology. The course has a strong emphasis on cross-linguistic comparative morphology. Prerequisite: LING 712, LING 725, or consent of instructor.
LING 731. Semantics. 3 Credits.
This course explores how meaning works in the grammar of natural languages. Students actively learn and apply formal structures to meaning in relation to truth, logic, and morphosyntax. The course emphasizes the role of context in semantic and pragmatic interpretation, including using context-based elicitation techniques to collect semantic data. Other topics include the nature of events and argument structure, tense and aspect, reference and binding, quantification and scope, and the semantic motivation behind syntactic structures. This course is offered at the 500 and 700 level, with additional assignments at the 700 level. Not open to students with credit in LING 531. Prerequisite: LING 725 or consent of instructor.
LING 735. Psycholinguistics I. 3 Credits. LFE
A detailed examination of issues in the processing of language. The course will provide a survey of research and theory in psycholinguistics, reflecting the influence of linguistic theory and experimental psychology. Spoken and written language comprehension and language production processes will be examined. (Same as PSYC 735.)
LING 737. Psycholinguistics II. 3 Credits.
LING 738. Neurolinguistics I. 3 Credits.
We will explore how language is represented and processed in the human brain. This will include a critical survey of the foundations and the newest state-of-the-art research in the cognitive neuroscience of language, focusing on the techniques of functional brain imaging (fMRI, PET, EEG, MEG, and related methods), and research on aphasia and other language disorders. This course will also include a laboratory component providing hands-on experience with brain imaging research on language. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.
LING 739. First Language Acquisition II. 3 Credits.
A second semester course in child language which explores the acquisition of morphology, syntax and the ways in which morphology and syntax interact in linguistic theory and language development. Topics covered in the course include agreement, case, null subjects, question formation, pronoun binding, quantification, and control. Prerequisite: LING 709 or consent of instructor.
LING 741. Field Methods in Linguistic Description. 3 Credits.
The elicitation and analysis of phonological, grammatical, and discourse data from a language consultant. In-depth research on one language. Techniques of research design, methods of phonetic transcription, grammatical annotation, and analysis of language context. (Same as ANTH 741.) Prerequisite: LING 705 and LING 725 or consent of instructor.
LING 742. Neurolinguistics II. 3 Credits.
An in-depth discussion of the representation and processing of language from a cognitive neuroscience perspective. This course involves critical discussion of selected topics of current research interest in neurolinguistics. The course also includes a significant hands-on component, in which students receive training in research on the cognitive neuroscience of language by developing and implementing a new EEG study on an aspect of language, as well by completing as a series of mini-labs introducing neuroimaging methods and analyses. Prerequisite: LING 738 or consent of instructor.
LING 743. Language Variation and Change. 3 Credits.
This course will introduce students to theories of language variation and change from a quantitative variationist sociolinguistic perspective. We will take a broad perspective, tracing the development of variationist sociolinguistic theory from its foundations to its current state. Topics include the social structure of the speech community, principles of linguistic change, theoretical developments across the "three waves” of sociolinguistic theory, social meaning and evaluation, linguistic style, sociolinguistic cognition, and quantitative variationist methods. Students will read and discuss foundational and recent literature in the field and complete scaffolded assignments culminating in a final course project that will give students the opportunity to articulate a research question and practice applying appropriate sociolinguistic methods to real-world data. The class will collectively define a speech community to study and work together to develop a mini corpus of speech data. Coursework will provide students with the tools needed to collect sociolinguistic interviews, transcribe and process speech data, and compile data into a class corpus. While we will collect and process data as a class, each student will choose a research question for the final project and will investigate this question using the analytical tools of their choice. This course is offered at the 400 and 700 level with additional assignments at the 700 level.Not open to students with credit in LING 443. Prerequisite: LING 705.
LING 747. North American Indian Languages. 3 Credits.
This course introduces student to the indigenous languages of North America. Students will critically examine the structures and status of these languages, which have greatly expanded our knowledge of human language and linguistic theory. Topics include the history and future of North American languages and indigenous speech communities, the history of the field of Americanist linguistics, as well as important linguistic questions raised by phenomena from American languages in phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and historical linguistics. Prerequisite: An introductory course in linguistics.
LING 782. Research Methods in Child Language. 3 Credits.
LING 794. Proseminar. 3 Credits.
Introduction to the field of linguistics. Topics include research literature and research methods, thesis and grant writing, and ethics in linguistic research. Required for all first-year graduate students in linguistics. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
LING 799. Proseminar in Child Language. 2 Credits.
LING 807. Seminar in Phonetics. 3 Credits.
Critical examination of recent theoretical issues and empirical findings in the study of phonetics. Prerequisite: LING 705 or consent of instructor.
LING 814. Seminar in Phonology. 3 Credits.
Critical examination of recent theoretical issues and empirical findings in the study of phonology. Prerequisite: LING 712 or consent of instructor.
LING 822. Seminar in First Language Acquisition. 3 Credits.
Critical examination of recent theoretical issues and empirical findings in the study of first language acquisition. Prerequisite: LING 709 or consent of instructor.
LING 826. Seminar in Syntax. 3 Credits.
Critical examination of recent theoretical issues and empirical findings in the study of syntax. Prerequisite: LING 725 or consent of instructor.
LING 831. Seminar in Semantics. 3 Credits.
Critical examination of recent theoretical issues and empirical findings in the study of semantics. Prerequisite: LING 731 or consent of instructor.
LING 837. Seminar in Psycholinguistics. 3 Credits.
Critical examination of recent theoretical issues and empirical findings in the study of psycholinguistics. Prerequisite: LING 735 or consent of instructor.
LING 842. Seminar in Neurolinguistics. 3 Credits.
Critical examination of recent theoretical issues and empirical findings in the study of neurolinguistics. Prerequisite: LING 738 or consent of instructor.
LING 850. Topics in Research in Experimental Linguistics: _____. 1-9 Credits.
This course is primarily for students actively engaged in experimental linguistic research. The course provides students with the opportunity to focus on their current research projects and involves critical analysis, presentation, and discussion of research design, methods, statistical analysis, and data interpretation. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
LING 851. Research in Language Acquisition and Processing. 1-9 Credits.
This course is primarily intended for students actively engaged in linguistic research on language acquisition, language processing, and neurolinguistics. Students in this course present and discuss study design, methods, data analysis and interpretation of results for their research projects. Professional development topics such as CV development, applications for fellowships, grants and jobs, and the dissemination of research findings are also discussed. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
LING 852. Research in Field and Formal Linguistics. 1-9 Credits.
This course is intended for students who are conducting field work on syntax or morphology, typically of an understudied language. The course is structured around a set of topics (variable by semester) which each student will investigate in a particular language. The focus of the course is on data collection and analysis and students will present and discuss the results of their research projects. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
LING 860. Seminar in Second Language Acquisition. 3 Credits.
Critical examination of recent theoretical issues and empirical findings in the study of second language acquisition. Prerequisite: LING 715 or consent of instructor.
LING 899. Master's Research Project. 1-3 Credits.
A course for students working on their M.A. Research Project. Normally to be taken during the semester in which the student is submitting the M.A. Research Project. Students must enroll for at least one credit hour. Up to three credits will count toward the minimum number of credits required for the M.A. degree in linguistics.
LING 910. Linguistic Seminar: _____. 1-3 Credits.
The content and prerequisites of this course will vary. May be repeated.
LING 980. Linguistics Field Work. 3-6 Credits.
Independent field work with an informant on a language not normally offered at the University of Kansas, or on a non-standard dialect of one of the more accessible languages. Student must show evidence (file slips for grammatical and phonological analysis, dictionary slips, etc.) of having done the required amount of work without necessarily being able to turn in a completed analysis. Normally for three credits; six credits would be available under certain circumstances such as intensive summer work on location away from the university. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: LING 712 and LING 725.
LING 997. Ph.D. Examinations. 1-12 Credits.
A course for students writing answers to the preliminary Ph.D. examination and/or preparing to take the Oral Comprehensive Examination. Normally to be taken during the semester in which the student is submitting answers to the written preliminary examination. May be taken for a maximum of two semesters or twelve credits, whichever comes first. Does not count toward the minimum number of credits required for a graduate degree in linguistics. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
LING 998. Independent Study. 1-12 Credits.
A special research project or directed readings in an area of linguistics not covered in other courses. Prerequisite: Written consent of instructor.
LING 999. Doctoral Dissertation. 1-12 Credits.
This is a course for students working on their doctoral dissertation. It is to be taken during the semesters in which the student is conducting their dissertation research. Graded on a satisfactory progress/limited progress/no progress basis.