Ph.D. Linguistics

Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics

1. List of Academic Staff

Name	Status and Qualification	Research Interests
J.O. Friday-Otun	Reader & Acting Head of Department B.A. (Jos); M.A. (Ilorin); M.Phil., Ph.D. (Ibadan)	Applied Linguistics, Semantics, Pragmatics
A.S. Abdussalam	Professor B.A., M.Phil. (Riyadh); Ph.D. (Khartoum)	Applied Linguistics, Arabic Linguistics, Pedagogical Linguistics,Translation Studies
G. Fakuade	Professor B.Ed., M.A. (Ibadan); Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Sociolinguistics, English Language,Yoruba Language, Syntax, DiscourseAnalysis
I.O. Sanusi	Professor B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Syntax and AppliedLinguistics
Bolanle E. Arokoyo	Reader B.A, M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Syntax and AppliedLinguistics
K.A Rafiu	Reader B.A., M.A., Ph.D. Ilorin.	Phonology and AppliedLinguistics
C.I. Nnaji	Senior Research  FellowB.A. (UNN, Nsukka); M.A., Ph.D.(Ibadan)	Linguistics, Igbo Language, Communication Arts
Samiat O. Abubakre	Senior Lecturer B.A. (Ibadan), M.A., Ph.D. (Ilorin)	Applied Linguistics
Mary C. Amaechi	Lecturer I B.A., M.A. (Ilorin); Ph.D. (Potsdam)	Syntax, LanguageDocumentation, Igbo Linguistics

B. Introduction

The programme is designed to combine theoretical considerations with practical applications in the study, promotion and protection of languages. It focuses the need to train professional linguists at advanced levels in order to facilitate communicative needs in language teaching, language planning, language engineering, language documentation, publishing, broadcasting and other ancillary disciplines, especially in a globalized world, where communication reigns supreme.

C. Philosophy

The philosophy of the programme is the integration of theoretical considerations with practical applications in the study, promotion and protection of languages.

D. Aim and Objectives

The aim of the programme is centered on preparation of qualifying scholars with adequate intellectual and professional tools from the discipline to meet the challenges of national development and human advancement from an interdisciplinary approach. The objectives of the programme are to:

1. serve the needs of individuals who wish to become internationally-recognized professional linguists and applied linguists;
2. provide adequate training for those who wish to engage in research and instructional activities in linguistics and applied linguistics as required at the university level;
3. produce competent scholars, who are adequately equipped to understand, interpret and exploit linguistic principles in handling language issues
4. produce qualified scholars who are adequately trained to handle language related issues in human practical life
5. develop the languages of the majorities and the minorities through the use of modern methods of research and documentation
6. produce competent and relevant linguists in a communication-dominated world; and
7. exploit linguistic principles in promoting ancillary disciplines in teaching, research and sustainable development.

E. Admission Requirements

1. Candidates must possess the minimum of five ‗O‘ Level Credit passes which must include English Language and a Nigerian language.
2. Candidates must possess a good Master degree in Yoruba from a recognized university, with a CGPA not below 4.0 on a five-point scale.
3. Candidates who did not make up to a CGPA of 4.0 and were admitted into Ph.D. programme but were later have their admission converted into Ph.D. after fulfilling the requirements will be allowed to complete the programme.
4. Students who are found to be eligible for admission into Ph.D. programmes but are in need of additional information in an area of specialization that may be useful for their theses will be required to audit some M.A. courses as prerequisite. These courses will be determined by the Departmental Postgraduate Committee.

F. Duration of The Programme

1. The Full-time Ph.D. programme shall run for a minimum 36 months, and a maximum of 60 months.
2. The Part-time Ph.D. programme shall run for 48 months and a maximum of 72 months.

G. Detailed Course Description

LIN 998    Ph.D. Protocol 6 Credits

A protocol on a topic in Linguistics shall be prepared by Ph.D. candidates. It includes normal aspects of a research proposal in addition to literature review, budget, implementation plan and other aspects required in Postgraduate School guidelines. The protocol shall be examined by the Department and recommended to Postgraduate School for approval through Faculty Board of Postgraduate Studies. 270h (P); C

LIN 901    Advanced Phonological Theory 3 Credits

An overview of the phases of theoretical development in Generative Phonology giving account of the adequacies and inadequacies of the new trends in phonological theories with particular reference to African language data. Phonological interfaces like morphophonology, phono-syntax, etc. will be examined. Efforts should be made to make an excursus into the basic tenets of Prosodic Analysis, Autosegmental Analysis, Optimality Theory, etc. 45 (T); C

LIN 902    Advanced Syntactic Theory 3 Credits

An overview of the phases of theoretical development in Generative Syntax giving account of the adequacies and inadequacies. Syntactic interfaces will be examined. A brief comparison of the application of generative grammar with other available theories of syntax like Lexical-Functional Grammar, Generalized Phrase Structure Grammar (GPSG), Systemic-Functional Grammar, etc. 45 (T); C

LIN 903    Current Trends in Morphological Theory 3 Credits

A course extending students‘ knowledge and application of morphological theory to human languages with emphasis on new trends in morphological analysis. Morphological concepts like allomorphy, morphs, etc. will be revised. Morphological interfaces like morphophonemics, morphosyntax, morphosemantics, etc. will be examined. Different models of morphology (Lexical; Distributed; Extravagant, Doubling Theory, etc.) will also be examined. Students will be expected to apply theory to data. 45 (T); E

LIN 904    Perspectives in the Study of African Language Structure 3 Credits

A detailed study of the phonological and grammatical structures of African languages. Focus should be on the following linguistics phenomenon; vowel system, consonantal system, tone, vowel harmony, syllable structure, nasality, noun classes, verbs systems and serialization, ideophones, possessives, noun modifications, resumptive pronouns, etc. 45 (T); C

LIN 905    Field Linguistics Methods 3 Credits

Aims to help students develop knowledge and problem solving skills in all levels of linguistics. Theory and analysis of phonology and grammar, semantics, etc. will be examined. Skills for language study and other fieldworks issues will be focused upon. Techniques of data elicitation and linguistic analysis of phonology, morphology, syntax of a given African language concluding with individual projects reflecting a knowledge of methods involved in data collection and analysis. Software tools for experimentation and linguistic analysis will be explored. (Students will need a laptop for this course.) 45 (T); C

LIN 906 Current Issues in Generative Syntax 3 Credits An in-depth discussion of current issues in syntactic theory, such as constraints on variables, prelexical syntax, freezes and word order, surface filters, trace theory, grammatical relations, conditions on transformation, as they relate to such topics as nominalization, co-ordination etc. with reference to African language data, emphasis on argumentation and evaluation of solutions or analyses. 45 (T); E

LIN 907 Doctoral Seminar I 3 Credits

Presentation of a well-researched seminar in theoretical Linguistics. 135h (P); C

LIN 908 Doctoral Seminar II 3 Credits

Presentation of a well-researched seminar in theoretical Linguistics. 135h (P); C

LIN 999    Ph.D.. Thesis 9 Credits

An original thesis written on an area of Linguistics. The topic and its protocol which shall be approved by the Postgraduate School on the recommendation of the Department through the Faculty must make original contribution to knowledge in the area of specialization. The thesis will be supervised by a member of staff whose qualification is not below the Ph.D., and who is not lower than Senior Lecturer in rank. 45h (P); C

H. Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for the award of the Ph.D. degree in Linguistics, a student must have taken the core courses and an elective course and passed 27 Credits.

1. Summary

Core Courses:Thesis		18 Credits9 Credits
Total	=	27 Credits
First SemesterCore Courses: LIN 901 (3), 905 (3), 907 (3)		9 Credits
Elective Courses: LIN 903		3 Credits
Second SemesterCore Courses: LIN 902 (3), 904 (3), 908 (3)		9 Credits
Elective Courses: LIN 906Thesis: LIN 999 (9)		3 Credits9 Credits
Total	=	33 Credits