MA/MS in Linguistics

General Description: Objective(s) of a study programme: The programme provides a range of options for those who wish to pursue studies in linguistics at the MA level and become qualified professionals in their field able to respond to continuing changes and developments in contemporary society. The aim of the programme is to extend and enhance students’ prior linguistic knowledge and to develop their research and evaluation skills, the ability to combine linguistic and cross-disciplinary research methods in study projects as well as the ability to deal effectively with theoretical and practical problems related to the issues of language and society, emerging concepts of cultural and social identity and education. Learning outcomes: Generic competences of the study programme: analytical and critical thinking; ability to study independently and in a team; quality orientation; ability to study. Subject-specific competences of the study programme: understanding of the dynamic relationship between language and communication, language and society, cultural and social identity, analysis and evaluation; in-depth knowledge of contemporary linguistic theories and frameworks and their effective application to individual research; research skills in linguistic study and competence in writing a research paper. Activities of teaching and learning: interactive lectures, seminars, group work, projects, research tasks, presentations, analytical written assignments. Methods of assessment of learning achievements: Continuous assessment involves constructive feedback on projects in-progress and written assignments during seminars. Final assessment is given after the completion of the study programme or its part. The main form of evaluation is an examination or final paper (term paper or an MA thesis). Students’ knowledge and general performance during the exam are evaluated using grading scale from 1(very poor) to 10 (excellent). Framework: Study subjects (modules), practical training: General linguistics: Trends in contemporary linguistics: Quantitative and qualitative research methods; Phonology; Morphology; Syntax; Language typology; Language variation; Semantics and pragmatics; Applied linguistics, MA thesis. Applied linguistics: Trends in contemporary linguistics: Quantitative and qualitative research methods; Applied linguistics; Sociolinguistics; Semantics and pragmatics; Discourse analysis; Corpus linguistics; Psycholinguistics; Foreign language learning, teaching and assessment: theory and practice, MA thesis. Contrastive linguistics (Italian linguistics): Trends in contemporary linguistics: Quantitative and qualitative research methods; Phonology; Morphology; Syntax; Semantics and pragmatics; History of the Italian language until the 19th century (the language of instruction is Italian); History of the 19th-20th century Italian language (the language of instruction is Italian); Geolinguistics (the language of instruction is Italian), MA thesis. Specialisations: 1) General linguistics, 2) Applied linguistics, 3) Contrastive linguistics. Optional courses: Students who specialise in the selected areas above may choose the following courses: Theory of grammar; Philosophy of language; Language and culture; Language and identity; Cognitive linguistics; Contrastive grammar: Italian and Lithuanian (the language of instruction is Italian); Lexicography; Lexical typology; Forensic linguistics; Terminology; Theory of word formation; Etymology; Psychology of communication. The list of the optional courses is not exhaustive. If necessary, it may be modified and expanded. Distinctive features of a study programme: The study programme provides excellent opportunities for specialising in general linguistics, applied linguistics and contrastive linguistics and acquiring both subject-specific and generic competences. Access to professional activity or further study: Access to professional activity: Upon successful completion of the study programme graduates may pursue doctoral studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences, progress to research and academic careers, go on to teaching or seek employment opportunities in research, cultural and educational institutions, in the area of language policy, mass media and publishing. Access to further study: Masters in Humanities qualify for doctoral studies in Linguistics.