Proposal for new minor Rev. 04/03/2016 A. Program Identification 1. Title of the proposed minor: Linguistics Minor 2. Mode of delivery: Primarily in­person; however, occasional individual course sections may be offered blended or online 3. Department(s) or functional equivalent: English Department 4. Proposed date of implementation: Spring 2017 5. Projected enrollment by year five of the minor: 25 B. Description of the Program 1. Describe why the minor is being proposed and what evidence there is for demand for this program. “Linguistics is the scientific study of language…. At the heart of linguistics is an understanding of the unconscious knowledge that humans have about language; how children acquire language; the structure of language in general and of particular languages; how languages vary; [and] how language influences the way in which we interact with each other and think about the world” (Macaulay & Syrett, “ Why Major in Linguistics? ”, a publication of the Linguistic Society of America). The proposers believe there is both a need and a demand for a Linguistics Minor at UW­L. A recent search for “linguist” on a popular national employment website resulted in >1000 hits spanning the public and private sectors. Some examples: The U.S. government is hiring individuals with a background in linguistics to work in areas such as national security and international relations. Sales and marketing professionals with knowledge of how human language functions are being sought to develop more effective product messaging, sales training, and customer service, because many companies rely on linguistic analysis of recorded calls or of sales force interaction with potential customers. In especially high demand are individuals with training in both computer science and linguistics for the ever­growing number of applications utilizing Natural Language Processing (NLP), including speech recognition software, gaming, robotics, and machine learning. Some of these positions require only a Bachelor’s degree; a Linguistics Minor in addition to one of the already existing UW­L majors could make UW­L graduates more attractive to those employers. Many of these positions, especially in NLP, require graduate degrees; a Linguistics Minor could give UW­L graduates a competitive advantage when applying to graduate programs in fields as diverse as English, Anthropology, Computer Science, Engineering, Educational Studies, Marketing, Human Resources Management, and, of course, Linguistics. Also to consider are the many careers and other post­graduation plans that do not require a background in linguistics but are nonetheless inherently connected to issues of language structure and usage. Some examples: Pre­service teachers at all grade levels would benefit from more sustained, in­depth exploration of language structure and linguistic diversity. Artistic endeavors such as creative writing and theatrical production rely on awareness of dialect representation and language attitudes. Politicians at local, state, and federal levels may be asked to address issues of language planning and policy. 2. Describe how the minor fits into the institutional program array, including possible positive and negative impacts of the minor on existing programs. UW­L curriculum emphasizes an importance in becoming experts in a major field of study, as well as gaining a deeper understanding of a second field. The Linguistics Minor will add a much needed and desired area of study not found in any existing majors, let alone minors, on the UW­L campus. The goal of this minor is to give students a well­balanced understanding of human language, its structure and uses, and its impact on our world. Students who acquire an understanding of linguistic structure, non­English languages, and the role of language in everyday life are better suited for meeting the challenges of their post­graduation careers in our global, multilingual world. The Linguistics Minor will add to the existing interdisciplinary programs, facilitating cross­departmental and cross­college connections among students and faculty. Though housed in English, foundational requirements of the minor are also drawn from Modern Languages and Archaeology/Anthropology, and electives include courses from five other departments. We anticipate that the Linguistics Minor will bring together students from a variety of majors who are already interested in issues of linguistics and language. Rather than increasing competition for students across departments, we anticipate that the minor will help our current programs share our knowledge and resources, bridging common interests and creating new ties across the UW­L Schools and Colleges. There are some anticipated negative impacts of the Linguistics Minor, primarily in terms of the administration of the program. A faculty member will need to coordinate the program; however, the core faculty in English, Modern Languages, and Archaeology/Anthropology that contribute to the program will share the work related to future program assessment and revision. (See Section 3 for details.) 3. Describe the collaborative nature of the minor. The Linguistics Minor will draw upon already existing courses in a number of CLS departments and the School of Education. Primary courses come from Archaeology/Anthropology, English, and Modern Languages. Leadership for the minor will also come from these three departments. Additional courses to complete the minor will come from the departments of Communication Studies, Educational Studies (Special Education), History, Philosophy, and Psychology. By relying upon collaboration among the three primary departments in CLS, as well as already existing courses in four additional CLS departments, this minor capitalizes on the interdisciplinary strengths of CLS while also ensuring that no additional resources are needed to develop or maintain the minor. As previously mentioned, the program will be housed in English; however, a three­year rotating Linguistics Minor Coordinator (hereafter “Coordinator”) role will be established. The selection criteria and process for appointing the Coordinator will be documented through shared language in the bylaws of Archaeology/Anthropology, English, and Modern Languages, and the position will be open to any member of the faculty from these three departments. Because the program will be housed in English, the Coordinator, in consultation with core faculty members across the participating departments, will utilize existing procedures for assessment and curricular change already documented in the English Department bylaws. 4. Provide a brief overview of the learning outcomes and/or program objectives and curriculum. The 18­19 credit Linguistics Minor is organized around three foundational courses: “Introduction to Linguistics” or “The Study of Language” (ENG 331 or MLG 340.); “Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology” (ANT 196); and a 102­level or higher language course.1 Students would also choose an elective in each of three areas: linguistic structure (3 cr.), sociolinguistics/linguistic anthropology (3 cr.), and general linguistics (3 cr.). While some linguistics programs at other universities focus solely on either language structure (phonetics/phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics) or language use (sociolinguistics, linguistic anthropology, pragmatics), the proposed minor at UW­L would require students to complete multiple requirements in each of these areas. Since there is currently no linguistics major, the minor has been designed to make it an attractive and useful addition to a major program in any of the UW­L Colleges or Schools. For example, education majors interested in language diversity, acquisition, and usage often add the TESOL minor. However, the TESOL minor does not go as in­depth into linguistic structure or sociolinguistics as some students desire. English majors often express interest in taking more linguistics courses after completing ENG 331 (“Introduction to Linguistics”); however, it is challenging for them to take subsequent courses, as the courses do not fulfill additional program requirements. The Linguistics Minor will give students a path that leads to both additional linguistic knowledge and a certified minor. Students who complete the Linguistics Minors should be able to: ● Explain the underlying tenets of modern linguistic theory as they apply to the systematicity of human language; ● Accurately describe key biological, cognitive, and social aspects of human language; ● Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to analyze the phonetic, phonological, morphological, semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic systems of a non­native language and support their analyses with appropriate methods and sufficient evidence; ● Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to analyze the social nature and role of language in society and cultures; ● Apply knowledge of core principles of linguistic theory to discussions of language variation, language change, and language acquisition; and ● Use linguistic terminology appropriately. 5. Describe resources needs for the minor. All required courses are already being offered as part of regular course rotations in each of the participating departments. Several courses in each elective category are also offered on regular rotation. As already indicated, the participating departments will have to revise bylaws and select a Coordinator who will oversee assessment and curricular development and will be the primary contact person for advising. Due to the small projected size of the minor in its first few years, no reassignment time will be needed for the Coordinator. Unless the minor grows beyond what has been projected, therefore, the minor can be fully supported with current courses and faculty. 1
Some students will be able to replace the language requirement with a general linguistics elective; see CIM for more details. Program Change Request
New Program Proposal
Date Submi ed: 04/03/16 1:44 pm
Viewing: : Linguis
cs Minor
Last edit: 04/21/16 5:37 pm
Changes proposed by: smann
Changes made by:
Stephen Mann ‐ 02/25/16 4:35 pm
Natalie Eschenbaum ‐ 04/07/16 10:29 pm
Chris ne Bakkum ‐ 04/21/16 5:37 pm
In Workflow
1. ENGDEPT Chair
2. CLS College Academic
Oversight Commi ee
Chair
3. CLS Assistant to the Dean
4. CLS College Dean or
Associate Dean
5. Faculty Senate Chair
Effec ve Catalog:
2016‐2017
Effec ve Term: Fall 2016
7. Registrar
Applies to students in:
All Catalogs
8. UCC Curriculum
Commi ee Chair
6. University APC Approval
9. Faculty Senate Chair
10. Records Office
11. Program/Plan Code Role
12. Advisement Report Role
13. Catalog Role
Provide a jus fica on for your catalog choice.
Be sure to indicate when this change would be effec ve and how it would impact current students:
College/School:
Department/Program:
Level:
Program Type:
Approval Path
This would allow students in older catalogs to add the minor to their current program of study.
1. 04/07/16 10:50 pm
College of Liberal Studies
Natalie Eschenbaum
(neschenbaum):
English
Approved for ENGDEPT
Undergraduate
Chair
Minor
Program Code:
Title
Linguis cs Minor
Is this a teacher
educa on program?
No
Number of credits
required:
18‐19
2. 04/13/16 5:01 pm
Patricia Stovey
(pstovey): Approved for
CLS College Academic
Oversight Commi ee
Chair
3. 04/15/16 1:39 pm
Sandra Keller (skeller):
Approved for CLS
Approved for CLS
Assistant to the Dean
Program or Policy Requirements and Descrip on
4. 04/15/16 2:12 pm
Charles Mar n‐Stanley
(All colleges)
18‐19 credits
Courses listed in more than one category may be counted only once.
At least 12 credits must be in courses at or above the 300‐level.
Founda ons
ENG 331
6
Introduc on to Linguis cs
or MLG 340
The Study of Language
ANT 196
Introduc on to Linguis c Anthropology
Language 1,2
Select one of the following:
CHI 102
Elementary Chinese II
CHI 201
Intermediate Chinese I
CHI 202
Intermediate Chinese II
ESL 250
ESL Speaking
ESL 252
ESL Wri ng/Grammar
FRE 102
Elementary French II
FRE 201
Intermediate French I
FRE 202
Intermediate French II
GER 102
Elementary German II
GER 201
Intermediate German I
GER 202
Intermediate German II
MLG 102
World Languages: Elementary II
MLG 201
World Languages: Intermediate I
MLG 202
World Languages: Intermediate II
MLG 204
Heritage Language: Intermediate
RUS 102
Elementary Russian II
RUS 201
Intermediate Russian I
RUS 202
Intermediate Russian II
SPA 102
Elementary Spanish II
SPA 103
Elementary Spanish I and II
SPA 201
Intermediate Spanish I
SPA 202
Intermediate Spanish II
SPE 207
Teaching and Learning about Deafness and Communica on I
SPE 214
Teaching and Learning about Deafness and Communica on II
Linguis c Structure
Select one of the following:
ENG 330
History of the English Language
ENG 332
Modern English Grammars
FRE 301
Sound, Speech, and Proficiency
3‐4
3
GER 330
German Conversa on and Phone cs
MLG 306
Introduc on to Second Language Acquisi on
SPA 331
SPA 460
Spanish Phone cs
Introduc on to Hispanic Linguis cs
Sociolinguis cs/Linguis c Anthropology
3
Select one of the following:
ANT 375
Language, Power, and Inequality
CST 332
Intercultural Communica on
CST 334
Gender Communica on
CST 337
Communica on and Race
ENG 334
Language Study for Teachers
Elec ve 2
3
Select at least one of the following:
ANT 375
ANT 399
ARC/HIS 368
ARC/HIS 369
CST 332
CST 334
CST 337
ENG 330
ENG 332
ENG 334
ENG 338
ENG 403
ENG 439
FRE 301
GER 330
MLG 306
PHL 302
PHL 311
PSY 436
SPA 331
SPA 460
SPE 431
Total Credits
Language, Power, and Inequality
Anthropology Forum 3
History of Babylonian Language and Culture I
History of Babylonian Language and Culture II
Intercultural Communica on
Gender Communica on
Communica on and Race
History of the English Language
Modern English Grammars
Language Study for Teachers
Linguis cs and Literature
Individual Projects 3
Topics in Linguis cs
Sound, Speech, and Proficiency
German Conversa on and Phone cs
Introduc on to Second Language Acquisi on
Symbolic Logic
Philosophy of Language
Psychology of Language
Spanish Phone cs
Introduc on to Hispanic Linguis cs
Language Development and Communica on Disorders
18‐19
1All courses in this category will also sa sfy General Educa on requirements except SPE 207 and SPE 214.
2Students who are able to demonstrate proficiency in a second language may choose to take a second elec ve in lieu of
the language requirement. Second language proficiency may be demonstrated by one of the following:
Advanced Placement (AP) foreign language score of 3 or higher;
Placement into a 201 level or higher modern language course at UW‐L;
For non‐na ve speakers of English: A score of 70 or higher on the La Crosse Ba ery;
For heritage language speakers: Consulta on with the administrator of the Linguis cs Minor.
3 When appropriately focused.