About the program

The aim of the Maîtrise Universitaire de Linguistique is to provide training in linguistics in the fields of syntactic theory (synchronic and diachronic), comparative syntax, semantics, pragmatics and experimental linguistics. The Linguistics Department's training in linguistics is unique in that it is research-oriented (all the units in the Linguistics Department have research projects) and places the analysis of language in the mainstream of so-called formal approaches.
In addition to seminars, a significant part of the course is devoted to reading groups and supervised personal work. Students will be immediately immersed in a dynamic research environment, based on several disciplines. They will also be welcomed each week as part of the research seminar, which invites international researchers, mainly from Europe and the United States.

Career prospects

Holders of an MA in Linguistics will have the opportunity to continue their academic training through the specialisation certificate (30 ECTS credits) and/or the doctorate. In addition to research via doctoral studies, the MA in Linguistics opens the door to a wide range of professional sectors where language is central: the press, media and publishing in particular, but also clinical fields (additional specialist training is required, such as speech therapy). As linguistics is not taught at secondary level, the MA in Linguistics does not yet allow students to enrol for teacher training (Institut Universitaire de Formation des Enseignants) via an MAS. However, specialising in linguistics is an important addition to any language teacher's training.

 

Study Plan

Study plan:

- 3 compulsory modules in the Linguistics Department: 1 module in syntax, 1 module in semantics/pragmatics, 1 module in experimental linguistics
- 2 modules obtained within the linguistics department (seminars) or in other linguistics departments (French, English, German, Italian, French as a foreign language), in other disciplines or in another faculty (FPSE for a psycholinguistics module).
- A dissertation in one of the department's specialist areas. The defence must be organised before the last day of the examination session. A thesis certificate "attestation" (completed and signed) must be submitted to the Examinations Department ("Service des examens") before the end of the examination session. The format of the copies submitted (paper or digital) is to be agreed with the teacher concerned.

Credits:

90 ECTS credits for the MA (12 credits per module, 30 credits for the dissertation). 

Course content:

- Syntax (diachronic and synchronic, comparative)
- Semantics and pragmatics
- Experimental linguistics

Mobility:

Possibility of doing 1 semester in a European university with which there is an Erasmus agreement (maximum 36 credits authorized). 

Teaching languages:gues d’enseignement:

French and English

Start and duration of lessons:

The seminars are given over one or two semesters and begin at the beginning of the fall semester (mid-September). 

Conditions of admission:

Have a BA in linguistics from the Faculty of Letters of the University of Geneva or from a Swiss or European university, or a title deemed equivalent. Files outside the University of Geneva are examined and evaluated in comparison with the BA in linguistics

Contact

Department Director : Prof. Isabelle Charnavel
Academic Advisor  : Olivier Frutiger