M.A. in Anthropology: Linguistic Concentration

Linguistic anthropology examines the relationship between language and nonlinguistic aspects of culture, focusing on the social and cognitive processes by which language affects and is affected by human behavior. Wayne State's Master of Arts in Anthropology with a Concentration in Linguistic Anthropology focuses on the intricate relationship between language, culture and society. Students explore how language shapes identity, power and communication within diverse cultural contexts. Our program covers topics such as language acquisition, multilingualism, sociolinguistics and language preservation.

Courses

Linguistic anthropology courses explore the dynamic relationship between language, culture and society. Students engage with topics like language acquisition, multilingualism, language documentation and the role of language in identity and power. Through a combination of theoretical study and hands-on research, this curriculum prepares students to understand how language shapes human experience and influences social structures, making them experts in cross-cultural communication and language-based solutions for global challenges.

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Career outlook for linguistic anthropology students

Linguistic anthropology graduates are prepared for a wide range of careers where language plays a critical role in understanding human behavior and societal structures. Common career paths include positions in language documentation, education, translation and interpretation, research and cultural preservation. Graduates may also find opportunities in international organizations, NGOs, government agencies and media.

Real-world applications of linguistic anthropology include promoting language revitalization, supporting multilingual communities, conducting sociolinguistic research and addressing issues such as language rights and access to education. By examining how language shapes power dynamics, identity and social inclusion, graduates contribute to improving communication in diverse settings and facilitating cross-cultural understanding, particularly in global and multicultural contexts. This degree provides a strong foundation for both professional practice and further academic pursuits in linguistics, anthropology, or cultural studies.

Research

Language is the means by which culture is learned and the means by which ethnographers acquire knowledge of culture and so the systematic examination of language is crucial to students in cultural, medical and business anthropology. The written forms of language, no less significant than spoken ones, are highly relevant to our understanding of the past, making linguistic anthropology is vital to archaeologists. The evolved capacity for language and the relationship between language and brain function are important subjects of study in biological anthropology.

Explore our research in linguistic anthropology