Learning Goals and Objectives / Assessment of Student Learning
Mission Statement
The mission of the undergraduate Interdisciplinary Program in Linguistics at Lehman College of the City University of New York is to provide students with a strong learning experience based on the knowledge of theoretical and applied linguistics related to languages of the world. To fulfill the mission of this program, the program will provide a major track leading to a B.A. in linguistics and a minor track.
Program Learning Goals and Objectives
Goal I: Students will develop an understanding of the basic components of linguistic knowledge reflected in oral presentation and written form
Objectives:
1.1. Explain the major academic theories of language and of language acquisition: LNG 160 (SPV 246): Introduction to Linguistics; LNG 230 (SPV 221): Language Acquisition
1.2. Describe how sound patterns work and analyze phonological data in the study of phonetics and phonology: LNG (SPV) 245: Articulatory Phonetics; LNG (SPV 323): Introduction to Phonology; LNG 160 (SPV 246): Introduction to Linguistics
1.3. Describe the structure of words and sentences and analyze morphological and syntactic data in the study of syntax: LNG 321 (SPV 322): Introduction to Syntax; LNG 160 (SPV 246): Introduction to Linguistics
1.4. Describe the semantic and pragmatic properties of languages and analyze semantic and pragmatic data: LNG (SPV) 324: Semantics; LNG 160 (SPV 246): Introduction to Linguistics
Goal II: Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of a foreign language* through oral expression and written form
Objectives:
2.1. Identify the structural and cultural features of the foreign language that has been studied
2.2. Locate and make use of evidence-based scholarly information in academic journals and books when writing scholarly papers
2.3. Demonstrate effective speaking skills in presenting research findings to the class or to a larger audience
2.4. Describe the sound, word, sentence, and discourse differences across languages
* Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Irish, Italian, Latin, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish are all offered by the Department of Languages and Literatures.
Goal III: Students will demonstrate knowledge of sociolinguistics, and diachronic and synchronic study in linguistic theory, through oral presentation and written form
Objectives:
3.1. Summarize the characteristics of sounds, words, and sentence structures of individual languages: LNG 160 (SPV 246): Introduction to Linguistics; LNG (SPV) 245: Articulatory Phonetics; LNG (SPV) 323: Introduction to Phonology
3.2. Describe the ways in which languages change LNG (SPV) 312: Bilingualism
3.3. Describe the effects of social factors on language LNG 160 (SPV 246): Introduction to Linguistics
3.4. Explain the relationship among language, culture, and society and critically evaluate how language plays a central role in social and political issues such as gender and racial discrimination, immigration attitudes and laws, and educational policies LNG (SPV)
Assessment of Student Learning
All majors will compile a portfolio of prescribed work in prerequisite* courses. Student portfolios will contain at least one example of their completion of the program learning goals. These examples will consist of the following:
- Final papers/examinations from each of the prerequisite courses.
- Documented proof of proficiency in a foreign language through (a) transcript evaluation of coursework in a language other than English and (b) through evaluation of a research paper on the structure of a language other than English Documented completion of acquired knowledge of diachronic and synchronic study in linguistic theory.
The portfolio plan will require a rubric to assess the contents of the portfolio. This rubric will consist of a checklist with the student's completed required courses and passing grade. Note that students can scan work onto a disk to fulfill the portfolio requirement (to save a tree or two).
The interdisciplinary program in linguistics conducts ongoing and systematic assessment of academic education and performance of its students and graduates. Students have ongoing opportunity to assess their academic and clinical education program through course and instructor assessment. Results of the assessments are used to plan and implement program improvements to address the quality of education in the program.
*PREREQUISITE COURSES:
LNG 160 (SPV 246): Introduction to Linguistics. 3 hours, 3 credits. Survey of linguistic science, with special attention to descriptive and applied linguistics. LNG (SPV) 245: Articulatory Phonetics. 3 hours, 3 credits. Fundamentals of articulatory phonetics; descriptive analysis of spoken forms of American English and other languages.
LNG 321 (SPV 322): Introduction to Syntax. 3 hours, 3 credits. Government Binding (GB) syntax for the study of linguistics; minimalism and post-minimalism; structure of an uncommonly taught language; other syntactic theories. PREREQ: LNG 160 (SPV 246).
LNG (SPV 323): Introduction to Phonology. 3 hours, 3 credits. The sound system of languages and underlying representation of the sound structure and lexicon. Analysis of data from different languages; investigation of the differences and similarities in the sound systems of different languages. Exploration of language universals. PREREQ: LNG (SPV) 245 and LNG 160 (SPV 246).
LNG (SPV) 324: Semantics. 3 hours, 3 credits. Linguistic meaning, including word and sentence meaning, reference, and truth; connections among language, thought, and the world; speech act theory and formal semantic theory; metaphor and meaning in practice. PREREQ: LNG 160 (SPV 246).
Last modified: Oct 25, 2011
