The tutorial program is designed to allow students to work individually or in small groups with faculty members and graduate students, to supplement the material covered in the required introductory courses, and to allow concentrators to investigate linguistic topics of particular interest to them.
Linguistics 97r and 98a (Sophomore Year Spring Term and Junior Year Fall Term)
Linguistics 97r and 98a are small-group tutorials restricted to concentrators, who typically take them during the spring of their second year and the fall of their third year. Each half-course tutorial consists of two six-week units taught by graduate students on a linguistic topic that complements the regular course offerings in the department; several such units are available at any given time.
Linguistics 98b (Junior Year Spring Term)
Linguistics 98b is a one-semester individual tutorial intended for concentrators in the spring of their junior year. For honors candidates, the purpose of Linguistics 98b is to carry out reading and research in areas related to their likely thesis topic. For non-honors candidates, the goal is to get some research experience in an area of special interest to them.
At their meeting with the Director of Graduate Studies and Assistant Head Tutor immediately before the spring term of their junior year, concentrators are asked to specify the area(s) they would like to work in and are invited to suggest possible tutorial supervisors. Once the topic and the supervisor are decided, students meet regularly with their supervisor to discuss their research. At the end of the semester, they submit a short research paper to their supervisor, who sends the grade to the Director of Graduate Studies, who nominally serves as course head.
Linguistics 99a and 99b (Senior Year Tutorial)
The senior tutorial is restricted to honors candidates, who are expected to write a thesis demonstrating their ability to do sustained independent research in linguistics. The goal of Linguistics 99a-b is to provide guidelines and feedback to senior students while they are writing their senior thesis.