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The Theory of Language Department started in 1993 as a division of the Faculty of Philology, providing education for students majoring in general linguistics. Graduates deliver lectures on general linguistics at other higher education establishments and colleges that teach humanities, carry out research at specialized language research institutions, as well as work as teachers of English at schools and colleges and undertake professional translations.
Theory of Language is the only educational unit to prepare highly qualified experts in linguistic theory in St. Petersburg. Its course programme, compiled by leading linguists, is firmly rooted in the traditions of the St. Petersburg School of Linguistics. We have also made use of the experience of colleagues from the Moscow University Chair of Structural and Applied Linguistics.
In 2005-2006 the Department introduced a system of two-level degree education, i.e. the BL ("Bachelor of Linguistics", a 4-year course) and the ML ("Master of Linguistics", a 2-year course).
Following the syllabus, students will master several contemporary foreign languages: English (as a 1st foreign language), German, French and Spanish (as 2nd and 3d foreign languages). In addition, several ancient languages – Latin, Greek and Old Russian, are included as compulsory subjects. Students wishing to take up a language which is not on the programme, may be able to join a language group in other departments. For example, a Baltic language (Lithuanian or Latvian) or a Balkan language (Albanian or Modern Greek) since the three departments: General Linguistics, Albanian Language and Literature, as well as Byzantine Studies are subdivisions of the Chair, organizationally.
The main body of academic study for students of linguistics is composed mainly of linguistic theory courses. They are: Introduction to General Linguistics (developed by Professor V.B. Kasevich specially for students of linguistic theory); Phonetics and Phonology; Lexicology and Lexicography; Morphology; Theory of Syntax; Semantics and Pragmatics. Students will gain a wide view of language type varieties through lectures on "Languages of the World", learn about the latest developments in modern linguistics through "New Directions in Linguistics", and through Psycho- and Sociolinguistics, Anthropological Linguistics, Typology and Contrastive Linguistics, and some others. Apart from theoretical material, students will participate in ten supplementary course subjects and six workshops of their choice. The Chair aims to provide students with an exciting choice of courses and workshops.
Second year students engage in their own piece of research to be submitted in the spring as a course assignment. In the fourth year students prepare their diploma papers to be presented for the public defense procedure under the auspices of State Certification Board.
The Department of Language Theory welcomes young people with a gift for modern and ancient languages and those taking a real interest in linguistic theory. These students will undoubtedly contribute to the introduction and development of new ideas of theoretical linguistics in future.
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