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Applied Linguistics
Program Overview
Linguistics focuses on the study of language including the diversity, structure, use, and learning of language. This degree focuses on the development of the skills and knowledge that are foundational for linguistic work in many diverse fields. The Applied Linguistics Major equips students for entry-level translation and literacy work, cross-cultural work, and for further studies in the interdisciplinary fields related to linguistics.
All four-year Johnson students complete two majors: one in Bible and Theology and one in their chosen field, such as Applied Linguistics. Transfer students with substantial prior coursework may complete a reduced set of Bible and Theology requirements instead of the major. Learn more about the Bible and Theology curriculum here.
Core Classes
Cultural Anthropology
This course applies cultural anthropology to everyday life and vocational living, with special attention to the application of an anthropological perspective. Students learn to examine various frameworks that make up “culture,” including social status, language, power, economics, gender, and religion.
Introduction to Intercultural Studies
This course provides students with biblical and practical resources for exploring callings and possibilities in intercultural contexts, establishing healthy personal and interpersonal skills for intercultural effectiveness, and embracing the role of higher education in equipping for intercultural service.
Intercultural Communication
This course examines the unique problems and strategies for communicating the gospel effectively in intercultural contexts. Special attention is given to the student’s personal role in intercultural communication, including language, behavior, and sensitivities needed to bridge cultural boundaries.
Strategies for Intercultural Engagement
This course presents a comprehensive and dynamic view of the mandate for Christian missionary activity. Students are challenged to a growing awareness that world evangelism is four-dimensional: biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic. A special emphasis is given to issues revolving around cultural and cross-cultural communication, along with how sensitivity in these areas can help further realize God’s global purpose.
Cross-Cultural Internship Preparation
Typically completed during the spring term, this course consists of orientation meetings, required paperwork, required reading, cultural research, application for the student’s internship and other necessary preparations for the field internship. Students will work with their academic advisor, the instructor of this course, and other faculty to pursue internship opportunities within their major and concentration areas.
Cross-Cultural Internship
This course leads students to apply lessons learned in the classroom to actual intercultural and/or multicultural contexts under the guidance of an experienced field mentor. Students accomplish various vocational tasks, observe intercultural service situations, and reflect on their experiences to further develop intercultural and interpersonal skills. The internship generally occurs between students’ junior and senior years, and students should seek internship opportunities within their concentration area.
Cross-Cultural Internship Assessment
This course is typically completed during the fall semester, upon students’ successful completion of ICST 3521 and ICST 3522. During this course, students will successfully complete all paperwork and other debriefing requirements for their time on the field in internship. Elements such as debriefing, field reports, and supporter reports are a part of this course. Successful completion of all course components is required.
God’s Story-Our Story
This course invites students to explore how God’s story—as revealed in scripture—intersects with their own stories—their passions, interests, callings, and vocations. Emphasis is placed on appreciating the coherence of the biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation and developing missional approaches to local and global contexts in which students may live and work.
Living & Leading Cross-Culturally
This course focuses on practical strategies of evangelism and discipleship in a cross-cultural setting that result in indigenous-led churches which reproduce themselves by planting more churches. Special attention is given to contextualization, creative access strategies into closed countries, personal spiritual development, spiritual warfare, raising support, communicating with supporters, family dynamics, choosing an organization, and the changing role of the western missionary.
Race & Ethnicity in the American Experience
This course examines the complex issue of ethnicity and race in America from a cultural, historical, and social justice perspective. Students gain a framework for understanding and identifying ethnic and racial issues and are equipped to live justly within their chosen professional fields.
Peoples & Cultures of the Middle East
This course examines the ethnic groups and cultures of the modern Middle East and North Africa (MENA). While it focuses on the map as it appears today, the course also surveys essential historical background. By necessity, the study considers the relationship between this region’s modern boundaries and its traditional ethnic identities. In this process, the course highlights the MENA’s rich cultures and diverse people groups.
Dynamics of World Religions
This course provides an introduction to the world’s major living religions through the study of primary and secondary sources. Students learn about the history and practices of these religious traditions through a variety of media. Each religion is allowed to speak for itself, but the course employs a comparative approach. Key aspects of Christian faith and practice are examined during the entire process.
Urban Anthropology
“This course focuses on contemporary issues salient to selected people and groups in the city (such as, but not necessarily including, African-American, Hispanic-American, drug culture, the homeless), and—as appropriate—historical background (including migration patterns). The course also relates these issues and people groups to the Missio Dei, or Mission of God. Topics vary by term.”
Introduction to Linguistics
This course introduces the process of language analysis with the goal of enhancing the student’s ability to learn language. Students gain a framework for understanding and identifying the sound systems and grammatical structures of different languages.
Second Language & Culture Acquisition
This course introduces students to the process of language and cultural acquisition among people served on the field. An array of tools and practices are introduced.
Phonetics & Phonology
Phonetics and Phonology focuses on understanding the use of sound in human language. This includes a general understanding of description, production, and transcription of sounds based upon the International Phonetic Alphabet, as well as the identification of phonemes and phonological processes within specific languages.
Grammatical Analysis
This course provides tools for the analysis of language on morphological and syntactic levels.
Sociolinguistics
This course offers a view of language as a context-dependent social phenomenon. Students examine how cultural attitudes, expectations, behaviors, and contexts affect the use of language. With a particular emphasis on multilingual communities, this course introduces foundational principles for socio-linguistic survey.
Careers
There are many careers available for students who graduate with an Applied Linguistics degree! Here are just a few for you to explore:
- Translation/Interpretation
- Writing/Editing
- Lexicography
- Literacy
- Speech Recognition
- Artificial Intelligence
- ESL Education
Some students also go on to study at the graduate level. A degree in Linguistics can prepare you for graduate work in psychology, anthropology, the study of specific languages, education, speech pathology, and communication.
Online
Linguistics focuses on the study of language and all its aspects, including the diversity of language, its structure, how people learn language, and use it to communicate. This degree focuses on the development of the skills and knowledge that are foundational for work in many diverse areas. The Applied Linguistics Major equips students for entry-level translation and literacy work, cross-cultural work, and for further studies in the interdisciplinary fields related to linguistics.
Every undergraduate student pursuing a four-year degree at Johnson earns a double major – a major in Bible and Theology and a major of their choice, like Applied Linguistics. Click here to learn more about the Bible and Theology major.
This course examines the importance of culture and worldview in an increasingly multicultural world and will give special attention to “reading” the city in preparation for service. It explores cultural diversity and the necessary skills for identifying the traits of different cultures (including the student’s own), in order to equip them to effectively interact with people of other cultures as they seek to fulfill the Great Commission and do their part to advance the worldwide mission of Christ.
This course applies cultural anthropology to everyday life and Christian mission, with special attention to the application of an anthropological perspective. Students learn to examine the framework of beliefs, assumptions, values, and behaviors that shape people’s lives, in order to be more effective in ministry.
This course introduces the process of language analysis with the goal of enhancing the student’s ability to learn language. Students gain a framework for understanding and identifying the sound systems and grammatical structures of different languages.
This course introduces students to the process of language and cultural acquisition among people served on the field. An array of tools and practices are introduced.
Phonetics and Phonology focuses on understanding the use of sound in human language. This includes a general understanding of description, production, and transcription of sounds based upon the International Phonetic Alphabet, as well as the identification of phonemes and phonological processes within specific languages.
This course provides tools for the analysis of language on morphological and syntactic levels.
This course offers a view of language as a context-dependent social phenomenon. Students examine how cultural attitudes, expectations, behaviors, and contexts affect the use of language. With a particular emphasis on multilingual communities, this course introduces foundational principles for socio-linguistic survey.
This course examines the unique problems and strategies for communicating the gospel effectively in intercultural contexts. Special attention is given to the student’s personal role in intercultural communication, including language, behavior, and sensitivities needed to bridge cultural boundaries.
Students explore the dynamics of cross-cultural ministry, fundamental team building, and issues of attending to personal and familial spiritual growth during ministry in a cross-cultural setting. Special emphasis is given to avoidance of placing children in at-risk situations due to the ministry of the parents.
This course presents a comprehensive and dynamic view of the mandate for Christian missionary activity. Students are challenged to a growing awareness that world evangelism is four-dimensional: biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic. A special emphasis is given to issues revolving around cultural and cross-cultural communication, along with how sensitivity in these areas can help further realize God’s global purpose.
This course invites students to explore how God’s story—as revealed in scripture—intersects with their own stories—their passions, interests, callings, and vocations. Emphasis is placed on appreciating the coherence of the biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation and developing missional approaches to local and global contexts in which students may live and work.
Under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, students engage in a field context experience that integrates practice and theory related to cross-cultural life, specialized work, and growth.
Understanding the Muslim World
This course expands the student’s knowledge and understanding of Muslim culture, worldview, and practices.
Animism
This course enables students to develop a deeper understanding of folk religions and animism. Special attention is given to folk religions and animistic beliefs found in the world today, cultural differences, significant barriers to the gospel, and channels for better understanding.
Department Overview
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