Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Linguistics/TESL is to provide students with broad awareness and specific knowledge of the various components of the discipline, and how each contributes to the study and understanding of human language. Students will gain a solid understanding of the basic issues and questions that underlie research in the field, skills in critical thinking and an understanding of the applications of linguistics in their projected careers.
About the Department
The Department of Linguistics/TESL at California State University, Northridge, is an interdisciplinary department in the College of Humanities. In addition to full-time, tenure-line faculty, the department’s teaching and advisory faculty include lecturing faculty as well as tenure-line faculty housed in related departments. Linguistics/TESL offers a major in Linguistics and minors in Linguistics and TESL at the undergraduate level. The department also offers an M.A. in Linguistics, an M.A. in TESL and a TESL Certificate. For more information, see the brochure Why Major in Linguistics (and what does a linguist do)? (.pdf).
Academic Advisement
The Department of Linguistics/TESL helps students select the program and courses that best satisfy their individual needs and interests. For information about the degrees offered, please consult the Department of Linguistics/TESL website. For graduate student advising, contact Dr. Tineke Scholten. Undergraduate majors and minors should consult with an advisor in the College of Humanities (COH) Student Services Center/EOP to ensure that all requirements are fulfilled. Call (818) 677-4784 to schedule an appointment.
Careers
The questions that linguistics teaches students to ask about language are related to a wide range of fields and professions, including law, psychology, education, computer science and technology, anthropology and sociology to name a few. Students who earn bachelor’s degrees in Linguistics may seek careers in any of these fields or they may pursue advanced degrees in linguistics and related fields. The M.A. degree in TESL, the TESL minor and the TESL certificate prepare students—each at different levels and with different applications—to teach English to speakers of other languages.
Clubs and Societies
Awards
The Department of Linguistics/TESL currently presents the Delphine Ulibarri Lucero Memorial Award to a Linguistics or TESL student, undergraduate or graduate, who has shown persistence in his or her studies despite obstacles. The award is presented at the end of the Spring semester.
Contact
Department of Linguistics/TESL
Chair: Kenneth Luna
Associate Chair: Stephanie Kim
Sierra Tower (ST) 805
(818) 677-3453