Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics

The BA in Linguistics aims to develop an understanding of the way human languages are structured and educates students in the basic skills that are essential for the analysis of language. This includes knowledge of language structure, sound systems and processes, word and sentence meaning, and contextual interpretation. In addition, given the interdisciplinary nature of linguistics, students may also study the language and social communication, the historical development of languages, and how language is processed in the brain. The program curriculum, in addition to the offered minors in Aphasia and Computational Linguistics, is designed to provide training for students interested in working as assistants in communication disorder institutes, government positions, or prepare for graduate study in relevant fields.

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Program Objectives

• To graduate language practitioners with the prerequisite knowledge, values, and skills to practice within the multicultural populations of the UAE, the GCC, and the global community.
• To equip students with the necessary professional infrastructure to conduct research, disseminate findings, and undertake community service.
• To enhance traditional values of volunteerism, social solidarity, cooperation, and mutual aid through real-world humanitarian experiences
• To prepare future leaders and entrepreneurs for professional practice and service in a global context.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Define the fields of phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
• Discuss raw linguistic data from a variety of naturalistic and experimental sources.
• Interpret linguistic data in the context of existing models of language.
• Analyze language change, especially as it applies to the origin and nature of dialects.
• Categorize complex relationships between language varieties and socio-cultural characteristics such as socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and gender.
• Assess the major phases in the historical and biological development of languages.
• Develop organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrate professional skills and thoughts of ethical, social, integrity and respect for diversity.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills in a written and oral format.
• Develop basic information literacy in general linguistics and allied disciplines.