Applying for Admission to the Integrated Graduate Study Program in Cognitive Linguistics
What is Cognitive Linguistics? "Cognitive linguistics goes beyond the visible structure of language and investigates the considerably more complex backstage operations of cognition that create grammar, conceptualization, discourse, and thought itself. The theoretical insights of cognitive linguistics are based on extensive empirical observation in multiple contexts, and on experimental work in psychology and neuroscience. Results of cognitive linguistics, especially from metaphor theory and conceptual integration theory, have been applied to wide ranges of nonlinguistic phenomena." —Gilles Fauconnier. 2006. "Cognitive Linguistics." Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science. John Wiley & Sons. Pdf of full article.
Candidates may apply for admission to the program, with the purpose of pursuing the M.A. degree, or to non-degree status, with the purpose of taking courses for credit that could be transferred to other institutions. Potential applicants should send initial inquiries to Professor Todd Oakley, Director of admission, at coglingadmission@case.edu. A web-based application procedure for the degree program is available through the Online Application Page. Students interested in non-degree enrollment should consult the School of Graduate Studies webpage for Non-Degree Students. In order to fullly and fairly consider each applicant's case for the 2012-2013 academic year, we need to receive all materials (including the online application, statement of purpose, writing sample, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, standard GRE scores, and, for all international students, recent TOEFL scores) by 1 may 2012.
Please note: As of 2012, GRE scores older than 5 years are not considered valid. If Case Western Reserve University was not originally designated as a test result recipient, we will be unable to access the scores. Applicants can call the ETS general information line at 1-866-473-4373 to send the scores to CWRU. A request can also be made via your MyGRE online account. There is a per institution fee to release scores.
Alternatively, please consider taking the test again, or contact the program director, Dr. Todd Oakley, at cogsci@case.edu, to request a GRE waiver.
Please submit your application through the on-line system found at: https://www.applyweb.com/apply/cwrug/menu.html.
The degree program follows Plan A as described in the Graduate Student Handbook of Case Western Reserve University. (The handbook can be found on the School of Graduate Studies site.) Accordingly, it requires 30 credit hours and a written M.A. thesis. Committees to supervise theses consist of three members of the faculty and otherwise conform to the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies. Click here for the basic guidelines for completing a MA Thesis.
A canonical interval for completing the program is four semesters, although periods of study longer or shorter can be arranged, and part-time enrollment is possible. The required courses include a two-semester theory sequence, a concurrent two-semester workshop sequence, electives, and 12 credit hours of thesis work.
| Illustrative schedule for the M.A. in Cognitive Linguistics (30 credit hours) | |||
| Year 1 Fall | COGS 406: Theory of cognitive linguistics I (3 credit hours) | COGS 408: Workshop in cognitive linguistics I (3 credit hours) | Elective: e.g., COGS 404, 413, 415, 427 (3 credit hours), |
| Year 1 Spring | COGS 407: Theory of cognitive linguistics II (3 credit hours) | COGS 409: Workshop in cognitive linguistics II (3 credit hours) | Elective: e.g,, COGS 404, 413, 415, 427 (3 credit hours), |
| Year 2 Fall | COGS 651: M.A. thesis work (6 credit hours) | ||
| Year 2 Spring | COGS 651: M.A. thesis work (6 credit hours) | ||
| A second illustrative schedule for the M.A. in Cognitive Linguistics (30 credit hours) | |||
| Year 1 Fall | Fall Remedial/preparatory work in linguistics (e.g., enrollment in our existing fundamentals course, ENGL 401, Linguistic Analysis, as well as our courses at the undergraduate level) | COGS 406: Theory of cognitive linguistics I (3 credit hours) | COGS 408: Workshop in cognitive linguistics I (3 credit hours) |
| Year 1 Spring | COGS 407: Theory of cognitive linguistics II (3 credit hours) | COGS 409: Workshop in cognitive linguistics II (3 credit hours) | Elective: e.g,, COGS 413, 414, 415, 427 (3 credit hours) |
| Year 2 Fall | Additional Elective: e.g., COGS 413, 414, 415, 427 (3 credit hours) | COGS 651: M.A. thesis work (6 credit hours) | |
| Year 2 Spring | COGS 651: M.A. thesis work (6 credit hours) | ||
Descriptions of courses
COGS 406 & 407: Theory of cognitive linguistics I & II. This two-semester sequence introduces students to core theoretical concepts in cognitive linguistics (cognitive grammar, construction grammar, conceptual integration, etc.) through readings and seminar-style discussions.
COGS 408 & 409: Workshop in cognitive linguistics I & II. This two-semester sequence gives students the opportunity to do empirical work and provides a direct introduction to empirical methods.
The Theory sequence teaches principles and concepts of language. The Workshop sequence trains students in hands-on research in challenging problems. The Workshop is an indispensable counterpoint to the Theory sequence, since theory cannot be well understood without direct engagement with specific problems. The Workshop will also develop a community of research and help guide students toward their distinctive research topics.
Potential electives include:
COGS 404: Conceptual Blending
COGS 413: Special topics (e.g. computational approaches; frame analysis; unification grammar; linguistic relativity; cognitive phonetics, . . .
COGS 415: Mental Space Theory
COGS 425: Discourse and Cognition
COGS 426: Cognitive Approaches to Music
COGS 427: Gesture in Cognition & CommunicationCOGS 452: Language, Cognition, and Religion
Links
Application and Recommendation Forms
Graduate School site for prospective students
Tuition and Fees
Financial Aid
