Language Science Ph.D. Learning Outcomes

PLO 1. Core Knowledge

Students should be able to:

  • Understand important questions, theories, findings and historical trends in the scientific study of language, known as “language science”
  • Be able to integrate knowledge across the disciplines and traditional frameworks that compose language science, including the ability to explain and understand landmark findings and theories
  • Use acquired knowledge as context for understanding the current state of affairs and for fostering a more complete understanding of the human communication system
  • Acquire expertise and empirical grounding in a specific domain within an area of language science
  • Demonstrate breadth of knowledge related to language science outside of their chosen domain
  • Recognize linguistic diversity through in-depth knowledge of at least one non-English language
  • Critically evaluate scientific information and synthesize literature available in both the lay media and in specialized research journals

PLO 2. Research Methods and Analysis

Students should be able to:

  • Formulate appropriate research designs and analytical techniques to address novel scientific questions in language science
  • Exhibit statistical and computational literacy in using, conveying, and interpreting sophisticated and appropriate quantitative analyses in their area of expertise
  • Be aware of modern technological advances that apply to language science
  • Understand how research methods and design choices constrain possible inferences from data
  • Exhibit critical thinking to solve problems in language science

PLO 3. Independent Research

Students should be able to:

  • Complete an original, creative project that demonstrably advances language science
  • Construct a compelling research (grant) proposal that identifies critical high impact gaps in the current state of the field
  • Synthesize the primary research literature in their chosen area of expertise
  • Effectively disseminate the findings and impact of their own original research

PLO 4. Pedagogy

Students should be able to:

  • Communicate effectively to large and small groups in pedagogical settings
  • Integrate lecture and discussion material succinctly and cohesively
  • Demonstrate overall teaching effectiveness

PLO 5. Scholarly Communication

Students should be able to:

  • Give clear, cogent, and effective oral and visual presentations about language science content
  • Integrate their own research with the relevant literature and discuss its significance
  • Write a research proposal, including abstract and motivation
  • Use the current professional writing conventions (e.g., APA format) to describe and convey empirical research
  • Demonstrate effective oral communication skills in a variety of formats (e.g., discussion, lecture) aimed at both scientific and non‐scientific audiences
  • Present their work publicly

PLO 6. Professionalism

Students should be able to:

  • Work in a wide variety of professional careers, including those in academia, industry, and government
  • Participate in appropriate conference venues for their core areas of research
  • Contribute to the profession, department, and university through service

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