Master of Arts in Linguistics

1.0 BACKGROUND

1.1       Title of the Programme

Masters of Arts in Linguistics (MLIN)

1.2       Generic Justification for the programme

Linguistics as the scientific study of language involves the study of data to develop theories of language, determine how language is processed in the mind, identify and correlate language variations, and collect large samples of data to document languages. It also involves analysis of language forms for identification of crime, analysis of the acoustics of voice, principles of dictionary writing, and language computing. The Department of Linguistics, English Language Studies and Communication Skills (DLEC), under which the MA in Linguistics is offered, teaches the subject of Linguistics at an undergraduate level. In addition, several high institutions of learning in the country offer linguistics or other language studies-related courses at undergraduate level. Thus, the MLIN will continue to absorb a considerable number of students from Makerere University and other universities and offer them an in-depth content of linguistics while exposing them to more courses and content to mould them into professional linguists who are ready to join the field of linguistics and language industry. The programme responds to the needs of the market by offering a number of applied linguistics courses, which are aimed at providing solutions to language-related problems. It is against this background that this programme is mounted to cater for content scope, in-depth training, and language research study.

1.3       Programme Objectives

Drawing from an interdisciplinary spectrum of theoretical and applied linguistics, the revised MA (LIN) curriculum aims to provide students with training and specialization in linguistics that will:

1. Ground learners with the conceptual-theoretical knowledge that is needed in analysing world languages at all levels
2. Equip learners with the skills required in knowledge production, conducting and managing research in language related fields

iii)        Expose learners to the etiquette of academic writing and professional knowledge dissemination

1. Train learners to apply the acquired knowledge in solving real-world challenges including, lexicographical challenges, documenting endangered languages, informing and designing language-related policies, among others.

1.4       Programme Outcomes

It is expected that the revised MLIN curriculum will produce professional linguists who will be able to:

1. i) Apply conceptual-theoretical knowledge in analysing world languages at all levels
2. ii) Use the skills acquired in knowledge production, as well as conduct and manage research in language-related fields

iii)        Engage in knowledge production and disseminate the same through various quality publications

1. Solve local the global language-related challenges in their various work spaces.

1.5       Employment Prospects

MLIN graduates are professional linguists; therefore, they can work as:

1. i) Language analysts at different language levels,
2. ii) Language researchers, who can conduct projects geared towards future linguistic analysis, language revitalization, creation of language data banks and services, among others,

iii)  Language educationists, who can train graduates at university and other institutions of learning,

1. Policy formulators and executors, especially in education and language matters,
2. Critical appraisers and implementers of programmes, among others.
3. They can also work with academic related spaces such curriculum development and examination centres.

vii) Experts in spaces such as language bureaus, forensic departments, publishing houses, civil government agencies, NGOs, and research and development programmes for provision of data for language planning and standardization.