Linguistics

Program Office
Nichols 334
(707) 664-2504
http://www.sonoma.edu/english/programs/linguistics-minor.html

Linguistics Program Advisors
Richard J. Senghas, Professor, Anthropology
Jeffrey Reeder, Professor, Modern Languages (Spanish)
Robert Train, Professor Modern Languages (Spanish)
Elenita Strobel, Professor, AMCS
Patricia Kim-Rajal, Assoc. Professor, Chicano and Latino Studies

The fundamental concern of linguistics is with description and explanation of the interrelatedness of thinking and using language. This concern takes many forms: among others, inquiry into the nature of language as speech or signing, as knowledge, and as communication; inquiry into the history of languages and how languages change; inquiry into how language is acquired, and into the nature of language learning and teaching.

The linguistics minor offers grounding in general linguistic principles, together with the widest possible selection of elective courses. Through this study plan, students are able to develop interests in particular areas of linguistics as strong complements to majors in related disciplines.

As of Fall 2010, the Teaching English as a Second Language program will be offered by the SSU School of Education. Students interested in TESL training should contact Prof. Karen Grady in the School of Education about the M.A. in TESOL.

It is possible to develop an interdisciplinary major with a strong emphasis in linguistics (please see the Interdisciplinary Studies section in this catalog). Interested persons should contact both the interdisciplinary studies program coordinator and the linguistics program coordinator.

Also, through the special emphasis in the anthropology major (please see the Anthropology section in this catalog), a student may create a course of study in linguistic anthropology that incorporates a number of the linguistics program courses.