Undergraduate Courses
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.
LING 100: Human Language (3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
Introduces students to human language, the fundamental role it plays in human communities and interactions, and its complex, systematic inner workings. Dispels common myths about language and ask questions such as: How do babies learn language? Do animals have language? Can humans invent languages? What is a dialect? How do languages differ and change? Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Social/Behavioral Sciences
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 300: Linguistic Variation (3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
This course provides an overview of attested and recurrent patterns of variation across languages and how the world’s linguistic diversity can be described. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 306: Introduction to Linguistic Analysis (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Introduces terminology and methodologies used in modern linguistic science. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Social/Behavioral Sciences
Schedule Type: Lecture, Recitation
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 314: Experimental Methods (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Conceptualizing and conducting experimental language research, including process of developing research questions, gathering data, obtaining permission from institutional review board, choosing data collection measures, and coding linguistic and nonlinguistic data. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 300 or LING 306
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 316: Linguistic Field Methods (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
An introduction to field methods in linguistics for language documentation and description. Students engage in linguistic fieldwork with a speaker of a particular language and undertake original research with the resulting language data. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 300, LING 306, or equivalent
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 317: Computational and Quantitative Methods in Linguistics (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Introduces programming and quantitative language data analysis. Builds fundamental skills in computational tools. Note: This course assumes no background in coding. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 300 or equivalent
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 321: Applied Linguistics: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
Theories and basic principles of teaching a second language, especially as they relate to English language. Introduces students to methods of teaching English to speakers of other languages. Limited to three attempts.
Registration Restrictions:
Required Prerequisite: LING 306C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 322: English Grammar and Pedagogy (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Overview of structure of modern English, and of principles of grammar pedagogy. Begins with word classes and ends with analyses of complex sentences. Students learn to tap intuitions about English for analysis of grammatical structure, and to evaluate pedagogical strategies for teaching English. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 323: English Pronunciation and Pedagogy (3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
Description and analysis of sound system of modern English, and principles and strategies for teaching speaking and listening. Topics include segmental phonetics, syllable structure, connected speech, and prosodic phenomena. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 331: Phonetics (3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
Introduction to phonetic theory and phonetic representation, including articulatory, acoustic and perceptual characteristics of human speech. Students will learn and practice acoustic analysis, perceptual testing, production and transcription of speech sounds from the world’s languages. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 332: Phonology A (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Sound systems of English and other languages from perspectives of phonological theory. Topics include articulatory phonetics, distinctive features, nature of phonological representations, rhythm and stress, and phonological universals and constraints. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 333: Phonology B (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Experimental, quantitative, and laboratory approaches to phonology. Topics may include experimental instrumentation, empirical inquiry, and reconciliation of theory and data, as applied to sound patterns in language. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 331
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 335: Morphology (3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
Explores word-level patterns of variation in language. Provides an overview of current approaches to morphology, morphological variation in world languages, and the dominant descriptive and theoretical models of this variation. Discusses connections to typology, psycholinguistics, and computational approaches. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 300
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 336: Syntax A (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Nature and form of syntactic theory, and examination and analysis of the properties of several major natural language syntactic structures. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 306
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 337: Syntax B (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Typological, quantitative, and corpus-based analysis of sentence structure and its variation across languages. Students will gain familiarity with a variety of syntactic phenomena, approaches, and methodologies. The course also introduces resources and simple tools that can be used to test theoretical and typological claims on realistic large-scale data. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 300
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 338: Semantics and Pragmatics (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Developments in theoretical linguistics that explore how language form is related to meaning and context. Topics include reference, lexical semantics, logic, quantification, truth conditions and sentential meaning, presuppositions, and speech acts. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Corequisite: LING 306
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 342: Second Language Acquisition (3 Credits)
Scheduled for Fall 2025
Examines second language (L2) acquisition from linguistic perspective. Compares first and second language acquisition. Explores factors contributing to L2 variation, including linguistic universals, transfer, age, input, and affective considerations. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 300, 306, 331, 332, 333, 335, 336, 337, or 338
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 400: Special Topics in Linguistics (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Study of select topics in linguistics. May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 300 or 306 and related LING 331, 332, 333, 335, 336, 337, or 338 depending on instructor and topic
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 424: Practicum in TESOL (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Involves preparation and presentation of lessons to adult English learners under guidance of mentor teacher and practicum professor. Field experience consists of observation and teaching in assigned classroom. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 322 or 522; LING 323 or 523
Registration Restrictions:
Required Prerequisites: LING 321B-, 321XS, 521B- or 521XS.
B- Requires minimum grade of B-.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
Schedule Type: Internship
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 441: First Language Acquisition (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Examines first language acquisition from a linguistic perspective. Covers the development of a first phonology, syntax, and semantics. Emphasizes research methods in the study of child language. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 331, 332, 333, 335, 336, 337, or 338
Registration Restrictions:
Required Prerequisites: LING 300C or 306C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 443: Psycholinguistics (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Study of the psychological aspects of human language. Explores the processes that allow humans to produce and comprehend language, including speech, sign, and writing. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 300, 306, 331, 332, 333, 335, 336, 337, or 338
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 451: Sociolinguistics (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Overview of the study of language variation and change. Topics to be covered include the interaction between language and social factors (age, sex, social class), dialects of English, speech communities, language contact, and language and gender. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 300
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 453: Typology (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Provides an overview of typological traditions which study the scope of diversity and similarity across languages. Covers a variety of approaches, from classical universal-based typology to contemporary approaches including quantitative and cognitively informed ones. Discusses the role of ecological factors in language diversity and the place of human language systems within the broader typology of communication systems. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 306 and one from among LING 486, 489 and 490
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 461: Historical Studies of the English Language (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
A chronological survey of the development of English from Old and Middle English to Modern English and American English, taking into account historical changes in phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 471: Computational Linguistics (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Introduces some of the central questions and techniques in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Computational Linguistics (CL). Provides foundations for developing further interest in linguistics by using contemporary quantitative and computational techniques to investigate the statistical nature of linguistic patterns and human communication. Of interest to students considering employment in the expanding area of technology and language. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 300 and 317
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 480: RS: First Language Acquisition (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Examines first language acquisition from a linguistic perspective. Covers the development of a first phonology, syntax, and semantics. Emphasizes research methods in the study of child language. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core (All), Mason Apex
Specialized Designation: Research/Scholarship Intensive
Registration Restrictions:
Required Prerequisites: (LING 306C or 306XS).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 495: Laboratory Research Experience (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Under supervision of one of the Linguistics Lab directors or a senior lab member, students will engage in concrete laboratory research and work towards the completion of a small research project. This course will introduce students to team-based research using research lab facilities. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 300 or equivalent
Registration Restrictions:
Required Prerequisites: LING 314C, 315C, 316C or 317C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
Schedule Type: Internship
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Special scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Special scale.
LING 496: Special Topics in Linguistics (3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Study of select topics in linguistics. May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 306
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
LING 499: Independent Study (1-3 Credits)
No sections are currently scheduled.
Intensive study of particular theoretical problem in linguistics conducted by student in close consultation with instructor. Student produces substantial piece of written work on research findings. Notes: May be repeated with permission of instructor. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Recommended Prerequisite: LING 306 and 3 other LING credits and permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Independent Study
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
