FACULTY OF HUMANITIES

Linguistics & Languages

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Undergraduate Thesis, Practicum and Independent Study Courses

The department offers many experiential learning opportunities to program students, including opportunities to collaborate on faculty members’ research or undertake original research with a faculty member’s supervision. Level 4 Program students may also practice applying skills acquired in the program by applying for the Teaching Practicum or Speech Language Pathology Practicum.

 

Students interested in pursuing research opportunities are encouraged to contact faculty with relevant interests from the second year of the program to discuss their interests and research opportunities.

 

 

Research Practicum (LING 3RP3)

In the Research Practicum (LING 3RP3), students join the lab or research team of a faculty member and learn hands-on research skills by contributing to the research activities of the team. Skills might include how to run experiments, conduct interviews, review literature, or analyze data, among others. Students should start by expressing their interest to their intended faculty supervisor and inquiring about available opportunities. Enrolment in the Research Practicum requires permission of the faculty supervisor and of the Department.

 

 

 

Independent Study (LING 4II3, GERMAN 4II3, ITALIAN 4II3)

In Independent Study courses (LING 4II3, GERMAN 4II3, ITALIAN 4II3), students conduct a one-semester research project. An Independent Study might involve original empirical research or advanced reading in a selected topic. Ling 4II3 is open to students in Level 4 of a program in Linguistics or Cognitive Science, with a GPA of at least 9.0. Italian 4II3 and German 4II3 are open to students in any program who have completed ITALIAN/GERMAN 2ZZ3 or an equivalent course. Enrolment in an Independent Study course requires permission of the faculty supervisor and of the Department.

 

 

 

Honours Thesis (LING 4Y06)

In the Honours Thesis program (LING 4Y06), students conduct a year-long original research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Thesis Students present their research findings in an extended written research paper and a presentation at the Department’s Student Research Day in April. LING 4Y06 is open to students in Level 4 of a program in Linguistics or Cognitive Science of Language, with a GPA of at least 9.0. Enrolment in the Honours Thesis requires permission of the faculty supervisor and of the Department.

 

 

 

Speech-Language Pathologist Practicum (LING 4SL3)

The SLP Practicum (LING 4SL3) is an Experiential Learning course. Students complete at least 36 hours observing and working under the supervision of a registered Speech-Language Pathologist. Students will complete a Learning Portfolio documenting their experience. The supervisor will work with each student to define responsibilities in the placement, but usually students will observe the supervisor’s work for the first few weeks, then complete assigned tasks to help the supervisor in the later weeks.

 

All practicum placements are in the Hamilton area. Some are in clinics or hospitals. Placements with the school board often involve visiting a different school each week. Some placements are accessible by transit and others are hard to get to without a car. Students will have the opportunity to rank preferred sites but it is not always possible to assign students to their top-ranked choice. The LING 4SL3 course is open to students in Level 4 of Honours Cognitive Science of Language with a GPA of at least 9.0. Enrolment in the SLP Practicum requires permission of the Department.

 

 

 

Teaching Practicum for Linguists (LING 4TP3)

The Teaching Practicum for Linguists is an Experiential Learning course. Students complete at least 36 hours observing and practicing teaching under the supervision of a Linguistics instructor. Students will complete a Learning Portfolio documenting their experience. Practice teaching topics will be offered in TESL or Linguistics, on rotation. Most practicum placements are on campus. LING 4TP3 is open to students in Level 4 of a program in Linguistics with a GPA of at least 9.0. Enrolment in the Teaching Practicum requires permission of the Department.

 

 

 

Research Considerations

The majority of the research conducted in the Department involves human participants and as such falls under the jurisdiction of the McMaster Research Ethics Board. If you plan on doing research involving human participants for your project, you should be aware that you will have to apply for a clearance from the board. It is advisable that you do so early on (for thesis preferably by the end of October) as the review process takes some time. Application forms, tips and more can be found at the MREB website or by clicking here.

 

Students interested in research with Indigenous speakers and communities, especially those of the Six Nations of the Grand River, are expected to familiarize themselves and follow the guidelines for students working with the Six Nations of the Grand River.