Programme

The importance of buttressing the study of languages with a linguistics base can never be overemphasised. Linguistics is the scientific study of language. It involves analysing the many different aspects that make up human language, such as its form, structure and context. Linguistics also looks at the interplay between sound and meaning, and how language varies between people and situations. Linguistics is the gateway to the informed analysis and description of languages as tools of human communication and, therefore, of the effort to understand cultural and societal issues and needs. The programme examines the principles and theories of linguistic inquiry as well as their application to the major branches of linguistics, namely: Syntax, Morphology and Phonetics (i.e. Descriptive Linguistics); Sociolinguistics; Psycholinguistics; Applied Linguistics; Comparative and Contrastive Linguistics; Semantics; Lexicography; Translation and Interpretation; Pragmatics; et cetera. Other emerging areas in the study of Linguistics, such as Gender Linguistics and African Linguistics are also incorporated. Students are further exposed to current issues in language planning and development (including language policy development). [cm_show_info] This M.A. in Linguistics Programme is meant to be a focal theoretical linguistic base for all students pursuing Master’s studies in any of the languages offered in the Institute of Language Studies:  English, French, Kiswahili and Runyakitara. This will enable the Institute to start training its own cadre of qualified members of staff. All the core theoretical courses of the Programme will be taught in general classes while the language-specific components will, if necessary, be dealt with in the individual language subjects. The objective of the Programme is to train students to become skilled empirical linguists with a deep understanding of linguistic theory and its application. The specific objectives of this programme are:

• (i) To train high-level linguists, focusing on both theoretical and practical aspects of the discipline of Linguistics.
• (ii) To equip students with the attitude and the ability to integrate linguistic knowledge and skills with knowledge and skills from other fields, thereby enabling them to manage complex societal issues.
• To provide language-specific knowledge that goes deeper into aspects of students’ chosen areas of interest.
• (iv) To train a pool of linguists who will generate data through research into the national and regional language situation dynamics so as to inform policy.

The programme shall run for a period of two academic years consisting of four semesters. Each semester will be made up of 17 weeks, of which two are for examinations. The first year will constitute attendance of courses, including crosscutting courses, and in the second year the students will write their master’s thesis based on original research on a topic of their choice in their area of specialization. [/cm_show_info]