As described on the web site for Applied Linguistics at UCSB, “Applied Linguistics is an interdisciplinary field of research and instruction that provides theoretical and descriptive foundations for the empirical investigation and solution of language-related issues, especially those of language education (first-language, second-language, foreign-language and heritage-language teaching and learning), but also issues of bilingualism and biliteracy, language policy, language assessment, translation and interpretation, lexicography, rhetoric and composition.”
In Comparative Literature, students need to demonstrate competency in two foreign languages. Two of the learning outcomes in the area of core knowledge include the ability of our graduate students to “demonstrate advanced written and oral fluency of a foreign language relevant to their major field; and the ability to read scholarly works in the foreign language(s) relevant to their second major field and/or minor field” as well as “demonstrate an informed appreciation of cross-cultural interconnections and diversity of literatures and cultures across time and space.” In addition, one of the learning outcomes in the area of pedagogy includes the ability of graduate students to “foster in their students the ability to think critically and construct cogent arguments in their writing, in a foreign language as well as English.” Training in applied linguistics is one of the rigorous ways to help fulfill these learning objectives. Completing the curriculum in the Applied Linguistic Emphasis allows students to satisfy in a rigorous manner some of their learning objectives and demonstrate competence in important areas that are all related to their teaching and research, such as language education, bilingualism, biliteracy, language assessment, translation as well as rhetoric and composition. Such competencies have become absolutely crucial for employment. Moreover, given the ever-increasing number of second language learners at the K-12 levels, teachers need to enhance their understanding of language learning and teaching theories and practices.
UCSB Applies Linguistics Website
CURRENT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: STUDENTS MUST TAKE A TOTAL OF FIVE COURSES (20 UNITS).
A minimum of two courses (8 units) must be taken for a letter grade from the core group of applied linguistics courses, which provide them with the basics of linguistics, second language acquisition theories, second/foreign language teaching methodologies, and practical applications of theory to teaching:
- Research Methods in Second Language Acquisition [ED 210D]
- Second Language Teaching Methodology [ED/270B]
- Second Language Learning in Educational Contexts [ED 270F]
- Language, Culture, and Learning [ED 270H]
- Bilingual Language Development [ED 202A]
- Foreign/Second Language Teaching [FRE 500 + paper, GER 500 + paper; SPA 590; CHI 251; JAP 501 + paper; LING 139 + paper]
- Topics in Applied Linguistics.
Two additional courses (8 units) are required (must be taken for a letter grade) and may be chosen from the wide array of offerings at UCSB. Students may, but are not required to, select a sub-specialty from one of the five sub-areas:
1) Linguistics, Discourse, Second Language Acquisition
2) Language and Society, Socio-cultural Perspectives, Multilingualism and Multiliteracy
3) Language, Literacy and Composition Studies
4) Language and Cognition, Psycholinguistics
5) Language Acquisition Enhanced by Technology.
Required independent study (4 units): Taken with an appropriate faculty member, leading to a research paper describing theoretical, empirical, or applied work in applied linguistics. Students are also strongly encouraged to attend the Applied Linguistics lecture series and will be asked to present their research papers informally as part of the lecture series.
Examination requirement. In addition to the course and unit requirements described above (including the research paper), the student’s PhD Qualifying Examination shall include examination of knowledge within the Applied Linguistics emphasis. At least one faculty member of the Applied Linguistics program shall participate in the qualifying examination.
Professor Mary Bucholtz (Linguistics, and affiliate in Comparative Literature) is the official Advisor to Comparative Literature students interested in adding the emphasis. Please make an appointment with Professor Bucholtz, and make sure you complete the form to add the emphasis officially (please see in the download area below).