UnderGraduate Program

Bachelor of Arts in Applied Linguistics

We live in a world of language that we use to communicate our needs, ideas, and emotions to one another. Whatever else we do when we come together, we talk--to friends, family, teachers, associates, clerks, bus drivers, and total strangers. Speakers of English can talk to each other and understand each other's language, but communication is much more complex than just knowing words and grammatical patterns. And learning to communicate in another language presents a new set of challenges.

Students who enjoy language and language learning should consider a BA in Applied Linguistics. In this degree program, various aspects of language, culture, and communication will be explored through the interdiscipinary connections available at Georgia State University.

Learning Opportunities

Students in the Applied Linguistics program have the chance to learn:

• One or more foreign languages
  
• Ways of using language to communicate effectively
  
• The power of language in politics, the media, and advertising
  
• The (mis)communication that can result from cultural differences
  
• Cognitive, social, and neurological processes involved in language acquisition
  
• Physical and psychological aspects of language production and comprehension
  

What Can I Do with a Degree in Applied Linguistics? A major in Applied Linguistics can prepare you for graduate work or careers in many areas such as Anthropology Linguistics English Teaching International Affairs ESL Teaching Abroad Technical Writing Communication Journalism Sociolinguistics Interpretation/Translation Foreign Language Teaching Intercultural Affairs

Language Studies BA Academic Program

Area F: Courses Appropriate to the Major Field (18)

1. Required courses (6)

AL 2101 Introduction to Language (3)
AL 2102 Languages of the World (3)

2. The foreign language requirement for the degree is as follows. (A) Students must complete foreign languages courses through level 2002 in one foreign language or demonstrate equivalent proficiency through examination (e.g., Advanced Placement, CLEP, or other approved examination procedures). (B) Students must complete at least one semester of a less commonly taught language (i.e., any language other than French, German, Spanish, or Italian) and are strongly encouraged to study a non-Indo-European language to fulfill this requirement.

Lang 1001 Beginning Foreign Language I* (0-6)
Lang 1002 Beginning Foreign Language II (0-3)
Lang 2001 Intermediate Foreign Language I (0-3)
Lang 2002 Intermediate Foreign Language II (0-3)
* At least one course at the 1001 level must be a Less Commonly Taught Language.
A student may include foreign language study through course 1002 in area C; in this case additional electives may be taken in Area F to attain 24 credit hours.

3. Electives (0-12)*

Lang 1001-1002 Beginning Foreign Language I & II (3-6)
Lang 2001-2002 Intermediate Foreign Language I & II (3-6)
AL 2103 Learning across Cultures (3)
Anth 1102 Introduction to Anthropology (3)
Anth 2020 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)
Engl 2110 World Literature (3)
Engl 2120 British Literature (3)
Engl 2130 American Literature (3)
Phil 2010 Great Questions of Philosophy (3)
PSYC 1101 Introduction to General Psychology (3)
SPCH 1010 Voice and Articulation (3)
SPCH 2650 Interpersonal Communication (3)
*Students who complete their foreign language requirement through examination must choose additional electives at the 1000-2000 level to reach 18 credit hours in Area F.

Area G: Major Courses (30)

1. The following course is a prerequisite for all other 3-4000 level courses:

AL/ForL 3021 Introduction to Linguistics (3)*

2. Major Requirements (12)

AL 3031 Language in Society (3)
AL 3041 Introduction to Second Language Acquisition (3)*
AL 4011 Phonetics and Phonology (3)
AL 4012 Morphology and Syntax (3)

3. Electives in the Department of Applied Linguistics and ESL. (9)

AL 3051 Methods of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (3)*
AL 3101 English Grammar in use
AL 4131 Bilingualism (3)
AL 4161 English as a Foreign Language Practicum (3)*
AL 4111 Semantics and Pragmatics (3)
AL 4121 Historical Linguistics (3)
AL 4141 Special Topics (3)
AL 4151 Culture and Language Learning (3)*
AL 4980 Language Partner Field Experience (3)
AL 4999 Directed Reading (3)

4. Electives in other departments. Other relevant electives may be taken with the approval of the student’s advisor. (6)

AAS 3240 Peoples & Cultures Of Africa
AAS/ENGL 3955 Language In Afr-Am Community
ANTH 4010 Ethnicity In The World System
ANTH 4030 Anthropology & Urban Education
ANTH 4040 Gndr/Race/Class In Complex Soc
ANTH 4060 Cultural Ecology
ANTH 4150 Peoples/Cult:Mexico & Cen Amer
ANTH 4210 Native Cultures Of N America
ANTH 4225 Immigration & Ethnicity-Us Histry
ANTH 4410 Culture And Personality
ANTH 4450 American Racial-Ethnic Groups
ANTH 4490 Global And Local Culture
ANTH 4610 People & Cultures Of Se U.S.
EXC 4370 Survival Level Am Sign Language
EXC 4380 Intermed Levl Am Sign Language
ENGL 3200 Introduction to English Language
ENGL 3210 Advanced Grammar
ENGL 3220 History of the English Language
FORL 3022 Found. of Second Lang. Teaching
GRMN 4401 Phonetics And Phonology
JOUR 4650 International Communication
PHIL 4400 Philosophy of Language
PSYC 4030 Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSYC 4100 Cognitive Psychology
SOCI 3214 American Racial-Ethnic Groups
SPAN 4401 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics
SPCH 4400 Development of Communication
SPCH 3450 Nonverbal Communication
SPCH 3750 Intercultural Communication
SPCH 4410 Communication Disorders
SPCH 4490 Language and Gender

Additional electives are possible with an advisor's approval.

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Applied Linguistics

The Department of Applied Linguistics & ESL also offers a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Language Studies. A comparison between the requirements for the BA in Applied Linguistics and the BIS in Language Studies can be found here.
For further information on this program please contact Dr. Sara Weigle.

Certificate in Teaching EFL

Students in the Language Studies Program can also earn a Certificate in TEFL to use while seeking employment overseas as teachers of EFL.

Frequently Asked Questions about the TEFL certificate

Georgia State University

Georgia State University is a leading research university located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The university is the second largest in the state and the largest in the Atlanta metropolitcan area, with a total enrollment of approximately 35,000 students from all 50 states and 117 countries. The university offers 52 undergraduate and graduate degree programs with more than 200 majors. There are six college-level units of the university: Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Health and Human Services, Law, and Policy Studies.

Click here to go to the GSU website.

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Additional Information

Dr. Sara Weigle
Department of Applied Linguistics & ESL
One Park Tower, 12th floor
34 Peachtree Street
E-mail: sweigle@gsu.edu
Phone: 404-413-5192
Website for Applied Linguistics & ESL