Master´s in English Linguistics. 2 years, 120 credits. Curriculum.

I. Program description

1. Contents
The Masters in English Linguistics covers graduate level studies in English linguistics, and is to be seen as an extension of work at the Bachelor level. The program places special emphasis on the formal aspects of grammar, in particular syntax and phonology. The programme has a strong comparative component, although the study of English naturally maintains a central place in the program. Students will develop insight into the structure of language in general and of English in particular, social and geographic variation, as well as the historical development and acquisition of English. At the Masters level, students will develop special interests based on their coursework and will write either a Masters thesis or two article-length papers whose main empirical focus should be on English.

2. Objectives, access to further studies and professional prospects
The Masters in English Linguistics provides a foundation for seeking work in fields as diverse as teaching, programming, administration, industry or the media. The core goal of the program, however, is to prepare students for study at PhD level.

3. Programme coordinator
The Faculty Board for Bachelors and Masters Programmes (Styret for fakultære bachelor- og mastergradsprogram).

4. Participating disciplines
The groups participating in the teaching of the programme are English and General linguistics. The core courses for the degree of Masters in English Linguistics are taught in the context of the Center for Advanced Study in Theoretical Linguistics (CASTL).

5. Admission requirement
To be admitted to the program, the student must have a Bachelors Degree in English language, or a degree combining English language and literature. Students applying for admission must have a grade average of at least a B.

6. Programme structure diagramme
The program consists of the following components:

• 60 credits of coursework, as specified below,
• 60 credits for either (1) one thesis, or (2) two articles.

Both the coursework and thesis/articles must have English as their main empirical focus. The two elective 10 credit courses can come from any 3000-level course in language or linguistics offered by the groups for English and General Linguistics. If their relevance for the programme can be demonstrated, other courses may be accepted by application.

7. Masters thesis
The degree includes 60 credits which must be earned either (i) by writing one Masters thesis (60 credits) or (ii) by writing two papers (30 credits each). This work is normally done individually, but may be part of a larger research project being carried out at the faculty, especially projects being carried out at CASTL. The topics for this work will be chosen in consultation with one of the academic staff, who will serve as a supervisor. Those opting to write two papers, must write one of them in the core disciplines phonology or syntax. The two papers cannot be in the same field.

8. Specializations
There are no specializations within the degree.

9. Student exchange
Students will normally be expected to carry out their studies in Tromsø and to participate in the courses offered here. By application, a student may receive approval for spending up to one year abroad. Note that after taking courses at institutions abroad, students must apply to have them formally accepted as part of their degree.

10. Part-time studies
The program is in principle open for part-time studies, however the structure of the program is not designed to accommodate part-time students.

11. Interdisciplinary courses
The Masters programmes on offer at the humanities faculty overlap to a certain degree in that they offer a range of "interdisciplinary" courses. For example, the core disciplines of phonology and syntax are taught as part of both Theoretical Linguistics and English Linguistics, and are therefore assigned a HIF-code in the university catalogue. Not all of the HIF-courses, however, may be appropriate for incorporation into a given programme. To find out which HIF-courses are accepted as part of the Masters Programme in English Linguistics, consult the list below.

12. Teaching and evaluation methods, assessment, examination
Teaching takes the form of lectures and seminars. Evaluation is carried out at the end of each course on the basis of a portfolio of the students written work. As a Masters student, you will be assigned a supervisor who will monitor your progress throughout your studies. The Masters thesis will be assigned a grade (from A to F); the coursework will be graded on the same scale. For information about examination; please see individual course descriptions.

13. Student evaluation of the program
As a check on the quality of the instruction they receive, students will be asked to evaluate the individual courses they take. Evaluation forms will be distributed towards the end of the semester, although oral feedback is welcome at any point.

II. Course of study

¹The following courses are compulsory in Semester 1: HIF-3010 Syntax I, HIF-3022 Phonology I. The following course is compulsory in Semester 2: Either HIF-3011 Syntax II or HIF-3021 Phonology II The normal progression for students will be as follows:

This table shows the division between the different courses and activities according to the general framework for a Masters degree. Contact the faculty or visit our web pages for more detailed information.