Overview

Overview

Aims

The MA in Linguistics will:

• Impart a general foundation and background in linguistics
• Give you a practical training in techniques used in linguistic analysis
• Enable you to apply your skills and knowledge to linguistic data
• Introduce you to research questions and methodologies in linguistics
• Enable you to perform original research in linguistics

Description

The MA in Linguistics aims to give you a general foundation in the central areas of modern linguistics, while at the same time allowing you to develop your own particular areas of interest.

The first term comprises four modules in the core areas of phonetics and phonology, semantics, sociolinguistics and syntax. In the second term you will choose two modules which may include any of those offered on the specialised MA programmes (Phonetics and Phonology, Psycholinguistics, Sociolinguistics, Syntax and Semantics). The programme is completed with a research dissertation.

Course structure

Course structure

Students follow a two-term programme of lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Term one

Students with appropriate backgrounds may substitute up to 20 credits of the programme with a corresponding directed reading module.

• Core phonetics and phonology
  10 credits
• Core syntax
  10 credits
• Core language variation and change
  10 credits
• Core semantics
  10 credits

Term two

In the second term you will take two 20-credit modules of your choice. Your options may include:

• Articulatory and impressionistic phonetics
• Instrumental phonetics
• Forensic phonetics
• Phonetics of talk-in-interaction
• Child bilingualism
• Non-linear phonologies
• Second language syntax
• Language and special populations
• Syntactic theory
• Semantic theory
• Formal pragmatics
• The acquisition of syntax
• The prosody of English
• Methods in language variation and change
• Advanced variation theory
• Syntactic variation and change
• Phonological variation and change

For students whose first degree has covered substantial parts of the taught MA modules, modules involving more independent study are available: 

• Topics in transformational syntax
• Topics in formal semantics
• Topics in language variation and change
• Topics in phonological analysis
• Topics in phonetics
• Topics in psycholinguistics

Term three and summer vacation

• Specific training and dissertation
  80 credits

All terms

• Research training
  10 credits
• Seminar presentation training
  10 credits

Assessment

Assessment

Term one

Assessment for term one is in two parts: a dossier of exercises in the middle of the autumn term, and another one handed in at the start of the spring term. Students submit assessment for 3/4 of the first term's modules.

Term two

Options are generally assessed by two 5,000 word essays handed in at the start of the summer term.

Dissertation

The course culminates in a sustained period of independent research and the production of a dissertation of up to 15,000 words. You can see more detail on the programme and the department in the current postgraduate handbook.