English: Linguistics
Kathryn Pruitt
About this opportunity
Overview
Linguistics is the study of the nature, structure, and use of language, which includes the following areas: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics, and pragmatics. The Linguistics & Applied Linguistics area of the Department of English offers the following programs:
- English (Linguistics) Major
- English (Linguistics) Minor
- Certificate in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
The English (Linguistics) Major offers two pathways to Accelerated Masters Degree programs (formerly known as 4+1):
Faculty
Here is a list of current full-time, tenure-track faculty in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, and TESOL within the English Department, along with a brief list of their areas of expertise:
- Karen Adams: Sociolinguistics; pragmatics and discourse analysis; language and politics; language and gender; Southeast Asian languages
- Mark James: Curriculum, teaching, and learning in second language education
- Aya Matsuda: TESOL; English in the global context; multilingualism
- Tyler Peterson: Semantics; pragmatics; language documentation; endangered languages (including Arizona); theoretical linguistics
- Matthew Prior: Applied linguistics; second language acquisition and use; TESOL; multilingualism; discourse and interaction; sociolinguistics; narrative; language and emotion; language and identity; LGBTq+
- Kathryn Pruitt: Phonology; phonetics; language rhythm and melody; typology; linguistic theory
- Shahar Shirtz: Morphology and syntax; pragmatics; typology and cross-linguistic comparison; language change; functional linguistics; languages of Central and South Asia; languages of the Pacific Northwest
- Peter Joseph Torres: Sociolinguistics; applied linguistics; discourse analysis; conversation analysis; language of policies; language in healthcare; Artificial Intelligence
Additional faculty members are listed here: Linguistics & Applied Linguistics Faculty in English
Thesis
Topics and Format
A thesis/creative project in Linguistics may address nearly any facet of language structure and/or use, and it may (though it is not required to) intersect with one or more neighboring disciplines, including anthropology, computer science, education, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and others. An honors thesis/creative project in Linguistics can take various forms and will be decided by the student in direct consultation with the faculty member who will supervise the thesis/creative project. The finished product is often between 30 and 50 pages of expository text, although different topics may warrant different formats. Past projects can be found in the Digital Repository of past Barrett theses and projects, though students are free to develop topics outside of these areas in consultation with their thesis/creative project director.
Committee structure
The requirements for Linguistics thesis/creative project committees are governed by current Barrett policies. A committee consists of at least two people: a Director, who may be any member of ASU faculty with professional expertise in the project area, and a Second Committee Member, who may be any member of the ASU faculty/staff or a qualified local professional with expertise/experience with the project area. An individual faculty member serving as the thesis/creative project director may have stricter requirements for other committee members, and students must consult with their director before forming a committee. Linguistics faculty in the English Department are also often willing to serve as a second (or third) committee member on topics that deal with language and linguistics even when the director is part of a different unit.
Academic Preparation
It can be beneficial if a student has already taken at least one ENG 414: Studies in Linguistics or ENG 404: Studies in Second Language Acquisition course by the time they approach a potential thesis/creative project supervisor, since these courses typically offer students experience with research and writing. We also acknowledge that an honors thesis/creative project is a learning experience in itself, so students will develop skills and knowledge in the process of carrying out the project.
Recommended Timeline
Students should follow Barrett guidelines for meeting thesis milestones. A committee is formed and the prospectus is submitted by the end of the junior year. The thesis work typically spans the fall and spring semester of a student's senior year (if graduating in spring).
Other Honors Opportunities
Honors Contracts
Honors contracts are typically available in courses taught by regular full-time linguistics faculty in the English Department. Students interested in earning honors credit this way should contact the course instructor at the beginning of the semester.
Internships
The Department of English connects students with a variety of internship opportunities on and off campus.
Additional resources for linguistics:
General information
Professional associations
- American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL)
- Linguistic Society of America (LSA)
- Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Information on conferences, jobs, degree programs, and much more