Course Description (Ph.D. English Language Studies and Teaching (International Program)

A.  Foundation Courses (3 credits)

PLT 5000   Advanced Academic and Research Writing    (3 credits)

This course introduces students to both fundamental and advanced concepts used in the preparation of Ph.D.-level academic and research writing and thinking skills. The course will help students develop advanced academic writing skills in English for clear, accurate and critical written communication. Upon completion of the course, students must be able to develop research argument, conduct systematic and ethical research and present it in a logical manner.

 

B.  Core Courses (Track 2(2.1) 3 credits) (Track 2(2.2) 6 credits)

PLT 6000   English Linguistics (3 credits) (Track 2(2.2) only)    (3 credits)                                                           

This course examines the nature, structure, and variations of languages in general and English in particular. Aspects of language discussed include phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. The course ultimately aims at providing students with tools to effectively understand language, especially English language.

PLT 6001   Theoretical Approaches to English Language Studies and Teaching    (3 credits)

This course introduces students to various theoretical approaches to on understanding and analyzing English language and language teaching It emphasizes thorough understanding of systemic functional linguistics, text and discourse analysis, and formal approaches to linguistics, and language teaching. It also demonstrates how these approaches can be applied to research how people use English language in society, how learners learn the language, how human brains process language, and how English should be taught.

 

C.  Research Methodology Courses (6 credits)

PLT 6002   Qualitative Research in English Language Studies and Teaching    (3 credits)

This course examines the philosophical paradigms which inform interpretive research on English language studies and teaching. It explores the types and designs of qualitative research as well as key methodological considerations involved in the research process, including data collection, data analysis, reliability, validity, ethics and research writing. It also enables students to analyze, critique and assess qualitative research from theoretical and methodological standpoints.

PLT 6003   Quantitative Research in English Language Studies and Teaching    (3 credits)

This course seeks to familiarize students with key methodological issues in quantitative research and with necessary statistical procedures as used in the field of English language studies and teaching. Students will have hands-on experience in analyzing research data and get exposed to quantitative research papers from international peer-reviewed journals. They will also have some practice in presenting statistical results based on such articles.

 

D.   Seminar Courses (3 credits)

PLT 8000   Seminar in English Language Studies and Teaching     (3 credits)

This course aims to discuss the current issues in English language studies and teaching and their related applications. The seminar will deal with selected problems and issues in theory and research in language use, language analysis, applied linguistics, language teaching and learning, and second language acquisition. Discussion on these English language studies and teaching issues will be offered.

 

E.   Elective Courses (Track 2(2.1) 6 credits, Track 2(2.2) 9 credits)

English Language Studies Courses

PLT 7101   Analyzing Spoken English Language    (3 credits)

This course aims at analyzing sound forms, systems, and fundamental pronunciation rules in the English language, emphasizing the segmental and the suprasegmental levels. Learners will be equipped with key concepts in acoustic phonetics and its analyzing tools in order to conduct a sound analysis quantitatively. Learners will also study current issues and problems pertaining to sounds produced by speakers who use English as a second/foreign language. 

PLT 7102   Discourse Studies and Research    (3 credits)

This course introduces multidisciplinary approaches to an analysis of discourse. The course provides a thorough understanding of the concept of discourse from the ground up, discussing its definition derived from various fields and perspectives, the accompanied objectives as well as the associated analytical frameworks. Methods of analysis introduced includes the classic such as Systemic Functional Linguistics to the popular Multimodal Discourse Analysis and the technology-oriented method such as Corpus Linguistics. The aim of the course is to help students to design and conduct a multidisciplinary research with a clear and systematic method of analysis that can empirically explain the dialectical relationship between discourse and a specific social or communicative context. Upon completion of the course students will be able to produce a quality discourse studies research on the topic of their choice in an analytical or a critical direction.

PLT 7103   Intercultural and Cross-Cultural Pragmatics in English    (3 credits) 

This course delves into intercultural and cross-cultural pragmatic approaches with a critical perspective on central phenomena in pragmatics (i.e., politeness, speech acts, implicature, and deixis). Learners will have the opportunity to analyze and reflect critically on pragmatic issues arising from the use of English in intercultural and cross-cultural communication in institutional and non-institutional contexts. Real life data will be examined and learners will be expected to understand its potential practical implications.  

PLT 7104   Language in Society    (3 credits)

This course aims to introduce various theoretical frameworks in sociolinguistics in order to analyze and understand how societies affect language use and contribute to language variation and change. The interaction among key predictors promoting language variation embraces internal phonological factors, social factors, and cognitive and cultural factors. Learners will investigate language use quantitively and qualitatively in order to pose new research questions in sociolinguistics. 

PLT 7105   Studies in Language and Media    (3 credits)

This course introduces the key concepts in media studies. It aims to develop comprehensive understanding in the relationships between language, communication and media. It also explores research in this interplay in conjunction with various elements in society. 

PLT 7106   Stylistics    (3 credits)

This course studies the styles of language usage in different contexts especially in literary and academic contexts in order to determine how language systematically creates meaning, style and effect.  It is concerned with the examination of stylistic features including grammar, lexis, semantics, pragmatics and sociolinguistics with a focus on the significance of form and function that each style fulfills.  It surveys existing theories of style, methods of style analysis, and applications of the theories and methods to selected work.  

PLT 7107   Theoretical Approaches to Genre Studies    (3 credits)

This course introduces various approaches used for the genre analysis of spoken and written discourse. It emphasizes the genre theory derived from the notions of genre, discourse community, and communicative event. Also discussed are cross-cultural genre studies and contemporary genre-based research. It draws on a range of authentic samples of different genres and includes some theory-to-practice applications. 

English Language Teaching Courses

PLT 7201   Second Language Acquisition    (3 credits)

This course explores the methods, findings, and theoretical issues in SLA research from both cognitive and sociocultural perspectives. The course will discuss various sources of influence on SLA, such as age, crosslinguistic influences, the linguistic environment, cognition, individual differences in both instructional and naturalistic settings. It also examines a socially informed and interdisciplinary approach to SLA with emphasis on how people attempt to learn and use languages in different sociocultural, sociopolitical and sociohistorical contexts. Students will be encouraged to critically assess assumptions about language learning and use, while forming their own knowledge and ideas of SLA based on empirical research. 

PLT 7202   English Language Teaching Theories and Practices    (3 credits)

This course provides comprehensive knowledge concerning English language teaching approaches and methods, and course design. It seeks to analytically clarify the assumptions behind these approaches and methods and encourage students to explore their own beliefs and practices in English language teaching and course design. In addition, students are urged to explore teaching practices from a variety of perspectives with an expanded focus on teaching English in international contexts in order to discern the relationship between theory and practice. 

PLT 7203   Critical Issues in English Language Teaching    (3 credits)

This course focuses on different understandings of and approaches to English language studies and teaching, including the theoretical concepts underpinning the area of critical applied linguistics. Emphasis is placed on development of a good understanding of the role of English as a foreign and second language in various parts of the world, as well as critical reflection on a number of issues concerning English language studies and teaching. Students are expected to articulate reflective and critical knowledge regarding English language studies and teaching, demonstrate confidence and capacity to challenge professional practice, and become agents of social change in order to increase the accessibility to excellent education for all English language learners. 

 PLT 7204 Teaching English as a Global Language    (3 credits)

This course discusses key concepts of Global Englishes, including World Englishes 
and English as a Lingua Franca. Theories and research focusing on these concepts as well as implications for English language instruction will be discussed. In so doing, students will be given the opportunity to explore the roles of English in contemporary society, with emphasis on the teaching of language skills and culture, notably intercultural and cross-cultural communication. 

PLT 7205   Language, Identity, ideology and Discourse in English Language Teaching    (3 credits)

This course introduces students to key concepts and approaches to studying the relationship between language, identity, ideology and discourse in national and transnational contexts. It also explores the practice of language and identity which shapes and is shaped by discourses and ideologies. Students will understand how learner and teacher identities are constructed, negotiated or contested in the classroom and naturalistic settings and how power relations may empower or constrain educational opportunities. Students will also apply their understanding to real-world language learning and teaching situations. 

PLT 7206   Institutional Discourse for Language Practitioners     (3 credits)

This course prepares students, researchers and scholars to investigate and analyze institutional discourse in both academic and non-academic settings. It provides an overview of institutional discourse studies and various approaches used in spoken and written discourse analysis, especially for pedagogical purposes. Theories are introduced along with innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to current classroom-related discourse issues. Research into such issues in various institutional contexts is explored, especially in the ways that it can be fed into language pedagogy. 

 

PLT 7207   Translation Studies in English Language Teaching    (3 credits)

This course focuses on translation theories and practice in English language teaching. It examines the place of translation in the ESL/EFL classroom and ways in which the teaching of literary and non-literary translation can be integrated. Research into the roles of translation in language acquisition, language pedagogy and testing is widely explored. Emphasis is also on codes of conduct and ethical concerns in using translation materials for English language teaching. 

Directed Studies

PLT 7300   Directed Studies    (3 credits)

This course focuses on a topic not available through regular coursework.  Students work under supervision on a carefully planned and student-initiated project, which may also include an internship. Prior approval is necessary.

 

F.  Dissertation (36 credits or 48 credits)

PLT 9900   Dissertation (Track 1(1.1), Track 2(2.2))    (48 credits)

In-depth, original and systematic investigation of a topic in the area of English language studies and teaching. The dissertation should display the student’s independent critical thinking and meet international academic standards. The dissertation must also reflect extensive and substantial research on the topic specified and be exceptional in quality. An excerpt of the dissertation must be of sufficient quality for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

PLT 9901   Dissertation Track 2(2.1)    (36 credits) 

Original and systematic investigation of a topic in the area of English language studies and teaching.  The dissertation should display student’s independent critical thinking and meet international academic standard. An excerpt of the dissertation must qualify for publication in peer reviewed journals.

PLT 9000   Independent Study    (6 credits)

This course prepares students to conduct an independent study on a topic under their advisor’s supervision. The independent study should be sharply focused an must be finished within a single semester.