Description
The discipline of linguistic science aims to describe and understand the structure of human language and the way in which it functions in all its dimensions.
Objectives
The objective of the Bordeaux Montaigne University undergraduate Licence in Linguistic Science is to provide students with a grounding in the practices and theories of fields of study that are central to linguistics, including phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics (the study of speech acts in context), as well as in the interdisciplinary domains connected to linguistics, including sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, the philosophy of language, language didactics, natural language processing, etc. If the study of French occupies a central position in the programme of teaching, then this course also offers a window on to a wide range of global languages, in order to encourage sensitivity to different types of linguistic systems.
The curriculum also includes a certain number of compulsory course units, which are intended to broaden the students’ skills base, including English (written and oral), the choice of a second foreign language, sociology, psychology, and information technology.
In the first and second year of undergraduate study, units on the methodology of linguistic science enable students to consolidate the fundamental grounding they have acquired, and to strengthen their command of the French language.
More broadly speaking, the programme develops analytical skills, a critical eye, and a capacity for abstract argumentation.
Ultimately, students will have acquired a good education in general culture, and a command of written and oral French, which are valuable skills in a variety of employment sectors.
Training content
Three years of study
The underlying principle upheld throughout the three years of study is that of progressive specialisation.
First year of undergraduate study (Licence 1) - average 21.5 hours per week
This first year of undergraduate study lays the foundations for the study of the field of linguistic science, and for the practice of academic methodologies at university level. Students study a new language (from Arabic, Basque, Catalan, Chinese, Korean, Modern Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, French Sign Language, Occitan, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Swedish, Czech, Turkish). Students also learn English. Students are introduced to the use of information technology in the field of linguistic science.
At this level of study, the wide choice of minor course units allows each student to personalise their choice of additional study units. The choice includes minor units on languages (English; German; Spanish; Portuguese), modern literatures, or human and social sciences (sociology; psychology; anthropology).
Second year of undergraduate study (Licence 2) - average 23 hours per week
In this second year of undergraduate study, students analyse the components of language (phonology, syntax, semantics, etc.) and some of the associated fields (psycho- and sociolinguistics, information technology, the philosophy of language, logical form). Students become accustomed with methods of and tools for linguistic analysis. Students also continue to study the minor unit chosen during their first year of undergraduate study.
Students choose a further unit from among the following options: French as a foreign language (FLE), continued study of the foreign language chosen in the first year of study, Old French, and Russian linguistics.
Third year of undergraduate study (Licence 3) - average 22 hours per week
Students study the different fields in greater detail. They learn to apply linguistic theories and models.
At this level of study, students choose one from these three possible specialisations:
- ‘Linguistic Science and School’, in collaboration with the School of Teaching and Education (ESPE)
- ‘French as a Second or Foreign language’
- ‘Theories and Representations of Linguistics and Languages’.
Access condition
Find information regarding enrolment procedures and the supporting documents to be provided, according to your profile and your level of studies :
Identifier ROME
- K2401 : Recherche en sciences de l'homme et de la socité
- J1406 : Orthophonie
- E1103 : Communication
- K1601 : Gestion de l'information et de la documentation
Career pathways
Employment opportunities upon specialisation include the following:
- Professions related to ‘language in action’. This undergraduate Licence in Linguistic Science can lead to opportunities in fields such as advertising, journalism, company communications, and publishing.
- •Professions related to teaching. The undergraduate Licence in Linguistic Science is good preparation for the competitive examination for French primary school teachers. It can also be consolidated in a professional context, via the teaching of French as a foreign language. Thirdly, this undergraduate Licence can lead to opportunities in professions related to archiving and documentation.
- Professions related to the social field. The undergraduate Licence in Linguistic Science can prepare students for professions related to speech-language disorders (speech therapy), and for professions related to disability and impaired hearing.
- The undergraduate Licence in Linguistic Science can be a way into professions related to computational linguistics, within language industries and research departments (including speech analysis, multimedia creation, the creation of linguistic resources etc.).
- The undergraduate Licence in Linguistic Science can be a way into professions related to language politics: regional languages, language contact, and European integration.
