Linguistics-Interdisciplinary Minor

To earn a linguistics interdisciplinary minor, students will need to choose a variety of courses including linguistics, Dutch, English, Greek, and Spanish options to help them learn about the differences between languages. Additionally, students will have the option to travel abroad to help them apply their studies.

• Introduction to Linguistics: An introduction to the basic principles of linguistics, including phonetics (the sounds of language), morphology (the words of language), syntax (the sentence patterns of language), and sociolinguistics (how language functions in society). Data from different dialects of English and a variety of other languages will be used. Special attention will be given to a biblical view on language. No previous knowledge of linguistics is required.
• Applied Linguistics and English Phonology: An in-depth study of specific areas of linguistics, such as neurolinguistics (brain and language), psycholinguistics (language acquisition), computational linguistics (computer processing and language), and language change (how language has changed and still changes). One-third of the course is geared at the special interests of the students. ESL students will study the phonology (the study of sound patterns) of English and learn how to teach English pronunciation. Other students do research in a linguistic area of their interest, culminating in a research paper.
• Individual Studies
• Elementary Dutch II: Continuation of 101.
• Intermediate Dutch I: An intermediate course that continues the study of the language in a communicative context with emphasis on precision and expansion of linguistic skills. Emphasis is also put on the development of cultural understanding and sensitivity, studying people’s values and beliefs as expressed in their economic, political, and religious systems. Dutch culture will be compared with our culture in the light of the cultural mandate.
• History of the English Language: Surveys the Indo-European languages; the emergence, development, and flowering of the Anglo-Saxon language; the seven English dialects; the Chaucerian dialect; and the contributions of the Greek, Latin, and French language and cognate words.
• English Grammar: A study of traditional and rhetorical grammar. Students will approach English grammar as not only a technical subject but also a craft, a field for research and scholarship, and a domain with socio-cultural, political, and ethical dimensions. As they develop their own arguments, voice, and editing skills, they will explore various topics through readings, discussions, practice exercises, research projects, and writing activities that require them to apply grammar knowledge in context.
• Elementary French II: Continuation of French 101. Passing this class with a good grade will enable students to be successful at the DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) A1 proficiency exam.
• Intermediate French I: An intermediate course that continues the study of the language in a communicative context with considerable emphasis upon precision and expansion of linguistic skills. Emphasis on the development of cultural understanding and sensitivity with a study of the people’s values and beliefs as expressed in their economic, political, and religious systems. Comparison of this culture with our culture in the light of the cultural mandate.
• Biblical Greek II: Continues Biblical Languages 111. Students continue to work on the basic forms of the Greek language, a foundational vocabulary, and elementary grammar. The focus of this course is on Greek verbs.
• Biblical Greek III: Building on the language learned in the first year, students read from a variety of texts and are taught intermediate grammar.
• Elementary Latin II: Continuation of Latin 101.
• Intermediate Latin I: Students will further a foundational understanding of verb conjugations and noun and adjective declensions, expand their Latin vocabulary, develop an understanding of Latin grammar, and sharpen Latin reading skills in the areas of classical prose and poetry.
• Elementary Spanish II: Continuation of Spanish 101. The course includes a weekly session with advanced students or native speakers to practice oral skills.
• Intermediate Spanish I: An intermediate course that continues the study of the language in a communicative context with considerable emphasis upon precision and expansion of linguistic skills. Some attention given to the nature of language. Emphasis on the development of cultural understanding and sensitivity, with a study of the people’s values and beliefs as expressed in their economic, political, and religious systems. Comparison of this culture with our culture in the light of the cultural mandate.
• Argumentation and Persuasion: After a study of the history of argumentation and persuasion and the relationship of argumentation and persuasion, this course will focus on various theories of attitude change, the structure of argument, and the development of a Christian perspective. Applications of argument and persuasion to be considered are: propaganda, advertising, political campaigns, and political debate. The student will be expected to apply the course studies to his/her specific vocational decisions.
• Cross-Cultural Communication: This course explores a variety of cross-cultural and intercultural communication experiences. We will explore the concept of culture and examine the relationship of culture and communication to build a framework for studying cross-cultural communication patterns from a variety of representative cultures (including North American culture). Special emphasis will be given to the influence of worldview, ethnic identity, and socialization on the process of communication. Overall, this course is designed to help you appreciate and understand different forms of communication and begin to develop a Christian perspective for the differences and relationships between cultures.
• Puerto Rico: Language, Culture, and Society: Explore the historical roots and influences shaping Puerto Rico while improving your Spanish skills or learning some Spanish for the first time. Emphasis is placed on understanding the challenges and potential of Puerto Rico today. Students will engage in contact with locals through service projects, travel to different historical sights, and explore Puerto Rico’s abundant natural beauty. Daily excursions will supplement onsite instruction and exploration.
• Dutch Culture and Reformed Worldview: Study the identity of the Dutch people from prehistoric times to the present while living in the Netherlands for three weeks. Examine the history of the Calvinist heritage from the Synod of Dort through the contributions of Abraham Kuyper and others. Discover how the Reformed worldview has shaped various aspects of Dutch life and society, such as church, politics, trade, and land reclamation. Special attention will be given to events and sites relating to World War II. There are classes in the morning and field trips in the afternoon. Two-day trips to London and Normandy/Paris are part of the program. CORE 283 is not a language class and is open to students from any major.
• Methods of Teaching a Second Language: Presentation of various methods for teaching a second language. Theories of second language acquisition will be examined. Students will learn strategies for teaching oral language, vocabulary, reading, and writing to language learners. Planning of standards-based language instruction that develops the four language skills and takes into account differing learning styles, interests, and varying levels of language proficiency will be emphasized. Students may choose one endorsement area (teaching foreign language OR teaching ESL/EFL) for three credits or do both endorsement areas for four credits.
• World Literature I: This course offers the study of ancient and medieval texts that are foundational to any study of history, culture, literature and art. It will deal with the major forms of ancient literature, including epic poetry, tragedies, comedies, and lyric poetry. It will discuss the historical transition from literature written during the pre-Christian to the Christian era. Although emphasis may be placed on the ancient literatures foundational to Western Civilization (e.g., Hebrew, Greek, Roman), the instructor may use ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, Hindu, Chinese or other influential literatures from elsewhere in the world.
• World Literature II: This course discusses the major literary texts from the Enlightenment to the 20th century, focusing only on texts from the non-English speaking world. Texts may be chosen from France, Spain, Italy, Japan, Africa, or anywhere else besides the United Kingdom and the United States. The instructor may connect these texts to discuss historical trends and important issues, such as science, colonialism, nationalism, and globalization.
• Logic: An introduction to the study of logic, both deductive and inductive, focusing on its systematic, philosophical, and historical development.
• Biopsychology: This course is an introduction to the physiological/biological processes in human psychology. Primary emphasis will be on relating brain and nervous system functioning with basic psychological processes, such as motivation, emotion, sleeping, learning, memory, and abnormal behavior. In addition, several topical areas will be addressed, including alcohol dependence, drug addiction, homosexuality, physiology of sexual differences, and a Christian perspective on the mind-body-soul dilemma.
• Cognitive Psychology: A survey of contemporary research and theory on human cognition and higher mental functioning approached from an information processing perspective. Topics include attention, concept formation, perception, language, mental representation, and problem solving. Students will be challenged to critique both theory and research methods from a reformed, Christian perspective. Two lectures and a two hour lab each week.
• The Great Tradition: A study of the Great tradition of God’s people, that highlights the major creeds and confessions that the Church has written over the past two thousand years as it has responded to challenges and defined its understanding of the Christian faith with a view to faith today.

See the course catalog for more information