Phone: (845) 257-2745
Location: SCB 148
Web address: www.newpaltz.edu/linguistics

Linguistics is the scientific study of language - its structure and use, how it is acquired, how it is represented and processed in the brain, how it varies by speaker and situation, and how it changes over time. Linguists seek to understand the diversity of human languages, and the common patterns that underlie all of them. Students interested in the analysis and comparison of languages, or in improving their theoretical understanding of language in connection with practical language study, may wish to consider a minor in Linguistics.

The interdisciplinary 18-credit Linguistics minor provides students with a solid foundation in the concepts and methods of contemporary linguistics. Courses offered cover the sounds of language (Phonetics), the structure of words (Morphology) and sentences (Syntax), the nature of meaning (Semantics), the use of language in the social context (Sociolinguistics), the acquisition of language (Language Development in Children), and the history and dialects of English (Development of Modern English, Black English: Language and Culture), among others. Students with majors in anthropology, communication, computer science, English, languages, philosophy, psychology, sociology, or any education curriculum may find that the Linguistics minor adds strength to their primary field of study.

Housed in the Department of English, the program also has strong ties to the departments of Black Studies, Communication, Communication Disorders; Languages, Literatures & Cultures; Philosophy, and Psychology. Through this multidisciplinary focus, students obtain a rich exposure to the study of language from diverse and complementary perspectives. Students must take LIN201 Intro To Linguistics and, by advisement, fifteen credits in courses from among those listed on the minor plan.

For more information about this program, please contact:

Dr. Oksana Laleko
Program Director
lalekoo@newpaltz.edu

LIN201. Intro To Linguistics. 3 Credits.

Linguistics is the scientific study of language. Students will be introduced to the fundamental principles of linguistic analysis by examining the main components of language, including the patterning of sounds (phonetics and phonology), the structure of words and sentences (morphology and syntax), the ways linguistic structure and context give rise to meaning (semantics and pragmatics), and how social practices shape and are shaped by language use (sociolinguistics).

Attributes:

  • Liberal Arts
  • Systematic Inquiry
  • GE4: Social Science
  • GE5: Social Sciences
  • GE3: SSCI

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
May not be repeated for credit

LIN293. Linguistics Selected Topic. 3-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

May be repeated for credit

LIN295. Indep Study Linguistics. 0 Credits.

May be repeated for credit

LIN364. Syntax. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the linguistic discipline of syntax, the study of sentence structure, with a focus on the Generative Grammar framework of Noam Chomsky and followers. Considers data from English and other languages.

Attributes:

  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman

Prerequisites:

May not be repeated for credit

LIN365. Semantics. 3 Credits.

Semantics is the study of meaning in natural language. The course surveys various topics in linguistic semantics, and pragmatics, including word definition, sentence meaning, predication, quantification, logic connectives, the tense and aspect of verbs events, thematic roles and conversational implicature.

Attributes:

  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman

Prerequisites:

  • Math Placement Level Minimum Score of 3
  • LIN201 Minimum Grade of D-
May not be repeated for credit

LIN380. Etymology and Morphology. 3 Credits.

Study of the origins and development of words. Study of patterns of the internal structures of words within and across languages. Theories of word origins and grammatical structure. Lecture/discussion with exercises and Powerpoint.

Attributes:

  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman

Prerequisites:

May not be repeated for credit

LIN393. Linguistic Selected Topic. 3-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May be repeated for credit

LIN399. Modular Course. 0 Credits.

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May be repeated for credit

LIN413. Sociolinguistics. 3 Credits.

This course will examine the relationships between language and society, and language and culture. It will investigate how language varieties interact with other social characteristics such as class, gender, ethnicity, race, and age. To accomplish this the course will have an interdisciplinary focus. Students will explore topics on regional and social variation in language usage; language change, maintenance and shifts; boundary markers and identity formation; language usage in multilingual communities; the nature of speech and discourse communities; and discourse analysis. In addition, the course will examine specific topics in macro-sociolinguistics such as national languages and language planning, as well as applied issues such as the relationships between sociolinguistics and education.

Attributes:

  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May not be repeated for credit

LIN493. Linguistic Selected Topics. 3-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

Attributes:

  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May be repeated for credit

LIN494. Fieldwork in Linguistics. 1-12 Credits.

Restrictions:

  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May not be repeated for credit

LIN495. Indep Study Linguistics. 3-12 Credits.

Restrictions:

  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May be repeated for credit