LING 559: INTRODUCTION TO GRADUATE STUDY IN APPLIED LINGUISTICS
Spring 2010
Keith Walters
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
This course serves as an introduction to graduate study in applied
linguistics and, more particularly, the MA program in TESOL here at PSU.
Among the topics covered in the course are how
1) to understand the scope and sequence of the graduate program,
2) to negotiate the academy and the profession,
3) to read a research article in applied linguistics,
4) to use electronic resources to find existing research in applied
linguistics,
5) to work effectively in groups, and
6) how to understand and use the APA publication manual.
This course should give you the tools you need to put together the puzzle
of graduate school and to help you maximize the likelihood that you will
be able to reach your personal goals while fulfilling the requirements of the
program.
TEXTS
Perry, F. L. (2005). Research in applied linguistics: Becoming a discerning
consumer. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
American Psychological Association. 2007. Publication manual of the
American Psychological Association, 6th ed. Washington, DC: APA.
There will also be some research articles to read.
PREREQUISITES
None. Students hoping to be admitted to the MA program in TESOL
should take this course to help them determine if ours is the appropriate
program for them. Newly admitted MA students are required to take this
course as soon as possible after admission.
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS
An annotated bibliography, an analysis of the structure of a literature
review, homework, a midterm, and a self-evaluation.