Career-relevant skills and courses | Department of Linguistics

B. Evans, E. Kaisse, K. Manlove; March/April 2015

Course	Learning Goals	Career-relevant skills	Resume Wording/ Translation to Careers
Syntax LING 461, LING 462	Understand the systematicity of language by investigating language data and making predictions about possible/impossible patterns	Hypothesis formation and testing Analyzing & investigating Creativity Compare two or more arguments that have different conclusions to a specific issue or problem Understand the role of assumptions in argumentation Research	In my syntax courses I learned how to gather information systematically to establish facts & principles.
Phonetics LING 450	Understand the articulatory and acoustic phonetic correlates of phonological features. Understand of the relationship between phonetics and phonological features and patterns Use professional tools of acoustic phonetics	Hypothesis formation and testing Analyzing & investigating Using computational skills and digital analysis tools Research Creativity	In my phonetics class I developed skills for analyzing and investigating patterns using a combination of computational and analog tools.
Phonology LING 451	Identify and analyze patterns in phonological data Identify and understand cross linguistic differences in phonological systems Be able to write a clear, coherent analysis of a phonological problem using sound argumentation	Analyzing & investigating Hypothesis formation and testing Compare two or more arguments that have different conclusions to a specific issue or problem Understand the role of assumptions in argumentation Research	In my phonology class I developed skills for analyzing data, making observations about patterns in the data, and selecting and supporting the best analysis by using sound argumentation.
Semantics LING 442	Understand how meaning is constructed and interpreted in natural language	Analytical skills, critical thinking, problem solving Hypothesis formation and testing Research	Coursework in semantics has finely tuned my rational and logical thinking and developed my analytical thinking.
Sociolinguistics LING 432	Understand the impact on language of social categories such as identity, socio-economic status, and group solidarity	Analytical skills, critical thinking, problem solving Research Hypothesis formation and testing Recognition of diversity and the impact it can have in the workplace Research Interpersonal sensitivity	In my sociolinguistics course I developed skills for analyzing and making observations about patterns in data. In addition, I developed an understanding of social diversity and have developed cultural sensitivity and an ability to build rapport with a diverse workforce in multicultural settings.
Computational Linguistics LING 472	Develop familiarity with computational linguistic tools and resources Understand the state of the art in the field (what is and isn’t possible with modern natural language processing?) Be able to conceptualize problems from the perspective of computaional linguistics	Computational thinking Evaluation techniques Discovering and using computational linguistic resources	In my computational linguistics course, I learned about the algorithms and computational resources that make up modern natural language technology, about applications of these components, and about how the formal systems studied in other linguistics courses can serve as the basis for automatic processing of naturally occurring text. I also learned how to design an evaluation scheme to understand how well a given algorithm is performing its task.
American Sign Language (ASL)	Develop a mastery of American Sign Language grammar skills and vocabulary Gain an appreciation of deaf culture	Analytical skills, critical thinking, problem solving Recognition of diversity and the impact it can have in the workplace Interpersonal sensitivity Creativity	By learning American Sign Language, in addition to being able to communicate with the Deaf community, I have developed effective interpersonal communication skills, presentation skills, and the ability to adapt new situations. By learning about Deaf culture I have I developed an understanding of social diversity, cultural sensitivity and an ability to build rapport with a diverse workforce in multicultural settings.