Linguistics is the science that investigates the structure of languages and their dialects that are in use, or have been in use, throughout the world. Its goal is to investigate specific languages in order to construct a theory of language that will account for all human language behavior. Because human language provides one nexus of human behavior, linguistics has implications for many other disciplines_ anthropology, education, foreign languages, literature, philosophy, psychology and sociology, just to name a few. Although the University offers no separate degree in linguistics, a student can earn a baccalaureate degree in English or foreign languages with emphases in linguistics. A graduate student can earn a master's degree with a major concentration in linguistics through the interdisciplinary master degree program or through the linguistics options in the Departments of Anthropology and English. A core curriculum in linguistics is required of all students electing individual majors with concentrations in linguistics:
Students interested in such degrees should examine the degree requirements in these departments and confer both with the advisors in the individual departments and the chair of the Linguistics Program.
The University offers a sequence of courses that will lead to a Certificate of Accomplishment. The certificate will be issued by the University upon the recommendation of the chair of the Linguistics Program and the Faculty Senate.
In order to earn this certificate, a student must hold (or simultaneously earn) a bacclaureate or higher degree and complete the following courses: Ling 370, 371, 372; two courses from 373S, 375, 377; 477 and 479.
It is recommended that a student have the equivalent of two years of a foreign language. Non- native speakers of English must take an English competency examination to be administered by the chair of the Linguistics Program.
ESL instruction is offered in two distinct, but related, programs: the English as a Second Language (ESL) credit support courses and the Montana Intensive English Program (MIEP). These programs are designed to meet the needs of students whose native language is not English. The ESL credit support courses carry undergraduate credit toward graduation and help students raise their English proficiency and academic skills level so that they can complete a degree successfully. The MIEP provides full-time, intensive instruction for students who must raise their English proficiency to gain admission to a university or college.
These courses bridge the gap between full-time language instruction and full-time academic work, serving students whose TOEFL scores range from 500 to 580. ESL courses are offered to increase proficiency in seven skill areas: reading, writing, speaking, listening comprehension, pronunciation, grammar, and study skills. Each course grants three semester credits, that count toward graduation. Courses are taught by ESL professional staff members and by teaching assistants pursuing advanced degrees in linguistics.
The MIEP primarily serves students who have not yet been admitted to the University and whose TOEFL scores are below 500. The program offers intensive English instruction and a cultural, social, and academic orientation to the United States. Instruction emphasizes proficiency in spoken and written English crucial to college and university work. Grammar and the basic language skills of writing, reading, listening comprehension, pronunciation, and speaking are taught each day at all levels_beginning, intermediate, and advanced.
Each student receives twenty hours of classroom instruction and individual work in the language laboratory each week. Field trips and cultural and social experiences are an integral part of the program. Students enrolled in the MIEP have full access to all University facilities. The program welcomes international students preparing to enter universities and colleges as well as other adults who want to improve their English skills. Instruction is by full-time professional ESL instructors.
Students admitted to the MIEP receive a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20), which enables them to obtain a student visa at the nearest U.S. Consulate. Application materials are available from the ESL Programs Office, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812.
U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or graduate credit, G = for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R.
U 173 Introduction to Language 3 cr. Same as Comm 173. A survey of the elements of language (structure, meaning, and sound) including language use in its social and cultural context. Credit is not allowed for students who have already completed Ling 370.
U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 198 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R-9) Prereq., consent of department. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Cooperative Education Office.
U 250 Intermediate English as a Second Language: I 3 cr. (R-6) Same as Ensl 250. Extensive training in reading, writing, and speaking grammatical English. This course is required of all foreign students with TOEFL scores between 500 and 525. Grading A, B, C, D, or F.
U 251 Intermediate English as a Second Language: II 3 cr. (R-6) Prereq., 500 to 525 on the TOEFL or consent of instr. Same as Ensl 251. English grammar, reading, writing, and conversation skills for students who are not native speaker of English; designed for students who have scored between 500 and 525 on the TOEFL. Grading A, B, C, D, or F.
UG 370 Introduction to Linguistics 3 cr. Same as Anth, Enli, FLLL 370. An introduction to the field of modern linguistics and to the nature of language.
UG 371 Morpho-Phonology 3 cr. Prereq., Ling 370. or equiv. A study of phonological and morphological systems from as many as 20 languages, most of them non-Indo-European; training in how to do linguistic analysis as well as linguistic theory.
UG 372 Generative Syntax and Semantics 3 cr. Prereq., Ling 370 or equiv. A systematic study of the nature of syntactic and semantic systems in natural language. Emphasis on abstract argument.
UG 373S Language and Culture 3 cr. Prereq., Ling 370; Ling 371 recommended. Same as Anth 373S, Comm 373S. Offered alternate years. Technical study of the relationships between grammatical categories and world view.
UG 374 Language History, Variety, and Change 3 cr. Prereq., Ling 370. Offered alternate years. The principles of historical reconstruction and comparative method in the analysis of linguistic variation and change.
UG 375 Analytical Techniques 3 cr. Prereq., Ling 370 or equiv. Same as Anth, Comm 375. Offered alternate years. Writing up linguistic data; developing techniques for eliciting linguistic data by working with a native speaker of a non-Indo-European language.
UG 376 Child Language Acquisition 3 cr. Prereq., Ling 370 or equiv. The development of speech and language: phonologic, prosodic, semantic, pragmatic, and morphosyntactic systems.
UG 377 Bilingualism 3 cr. Prereq., Ling 370 or consent of instr. Offered alternate years. Societal and individual bilingualism: topics include language policy such as maintenance and interference; code switching and mixture; and bilingual education.
UG 378 Second Language Acquisition 3 cr. Prereq., 370 or consent of instr. Discussion of theories of SLA, analysis of the development of Interlanguage and study and use of the research methods in SLA.
UG 381 Sociology of Language 3 cr. Prereq., Soc 110. Same as Soc 302. Offered alternate years. An examination of the ways language functions to fashion groups, situations, relationships, and memberships in contemporary society. Special emphasis on how language is used in actual social settings.
UG 385 Topics in the Linguistic Structure of French 3 cr. (R-6) Prereq., Fren 301 and Ling 370 or consent of instr. Same as Fren 385. Synchronic and diachonic topics in French phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicon.
UG 386 History of the Spanish Language 3 cr. Prereq., Span 302 or consent of instr. Same as Span 386. Offered alternate years.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 398 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R-9) Prereq., consent of department. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Cooperative Education Office.
UG 401 Applied French Linguistics 3 cr. Prereq., Fren 301 and Ling 370 or consent of instr. Same as Fren 401. Contrastive analysis of French phonology (including phonetics), morphology, and syntax.
UG 403 Applied German Linguistics 3 cr. Prereq., Ling 370 and Germ 301. Same as Germ 403. Contrastive analysis of German phonology, morphology, and syntax.
UG 405 Applied Spanish Linguistics 3 cr. Prereq., Span 302 and Ling 370 or consent of instr. Same as Span 405. Topics and issues from various linguistic approaches, selected for their applicability to the teaching of Spanish.
U 450 Advanced English as a Second Language: I 3 cr. Prereq., TOEFL score of 526 or greater and consent of instr. Same as Ensl 450. Extensive training in reading, writing, and speaking grammatical English. Grading A, B, C, D, or F.
U 451 Advanced English as a Second Language: II 3 cr.Prereq., 526 to 580 on the TOEFL or consent of instr. Same as Ensl 451. English grammar, reading, writing, and conversation skills for students who are not native speakers of English; designed for students who have scored between 525 an 580 on the TOEFL. Grading A, B, C, D, or F.
UG 470 Structure and History of English Language 3 cr. Same as Enli 470. The development of the English language from a historical perspective contrasted with the phonological and grammatical structure of English from a modern linguistic point of view; specifically designed for teachers.
UG 471 Philosophy of Language 3 cr. Prereq., upper-division standing. Same as Phil 471. Offered alternate years. Structure and functions of natural and ideal languages; the relations of language to thought and reality.
UG 472 Pragmatics 3 cr. Prereq., Ling 370. Relations between language andits interpreters focusing on presupposition, speech acts, discourse analysis, and the application of pragmatics to second and foreign language acquisition.
UG 473 Psycholinguistics 3 cr. Prereq., Ling 173 or 370 or consent of instr. Same as Comm 473. Offered alternate years. Theory and research on the comprehension, production, and acquisition of language and discourse.
UG 475 North American Indian Linguistics 3 cr. Prereq., Ling 370; Ling 371 recommended. Same as Anth 475. Analysis and characteristics of American Indian languages in historical perspective.
UG 477 Teaching English as a Foreign Language 3 cr. Prereq., Ling 370 or 470 and 371 or 372. Same as Enli 477. Offered alternate years. The application of principles of modern linguistics to the problems of teaching English as a foreign language.
UG 478 Computer Assisted Language Instruction 3 cr. Prereq., Ling 377, 378, 477 or consent of instr. A hands-on course focusing on the use of ready-made programs, authoring systems, and concordances in second and foreign language teaching.
UG 479 ESL Internship 2 cr. (R-8) Same as Enli 479. Teaching English as a second language under supervision in the public schools.
UG 495 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
UG 496 Independent Study Variable cr. (R-9) Prereq., consent of instr. Special projects in linguistic analysis.
U 498 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R-12) Prereq., consent of department. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Cooperative Education Office.
G 570 Seminar in Linguistics 3 cr. (R-12) Prereq., Ling 370 or equiv. Same as Anth 570 and Enli 570. Advanced topics in linguistic analysis.
G 575 Teaching College Level English as a Second Language 2 cr. (R-4) Prereq., consent of instr. Same as Enli 575. Methods and procedures for teaching English as a second language to university students.
G 595 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
G 596 SIndependent Study 1-3 cr. (R-6)
G 598 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R-6)
G 599 Professional Paper Variable cr. (R-6)
G 699 Thesis Variable cr. (R-6)