Master's Degree in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics

The University Master's Degree in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics (MALTA) is a joint master's degree from the Faculty of Letters that offers the necessary training for future researchers in various fields of theoretical and applied linguistics, as well as a high specialization for those who want a higher degree of academic training and updating in the professional applications of language and linguistics, with its more than 100 lines of research and through a flexible teaching offer structure taught by specialists of recognized national and international prestige.

The Master's Degree in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics has the following objectives:

• It provides a solid quality research training specialized in some of the most consolidated areas of theoretical and applied linguistic research.
• It enables the incorporation to research groups of public and private Universities, or to Research Centers.
• It provides the necessary training in scientific research methodology applied to the chosen field of Linguistics.
• It offers advanced training in knowledge of human language that may be of interest in different professional fields.
• It provides possibilities of consolidation and improvement of specific linguistic knowledge to all those professionals especially linked to the public use of language, such as communicators, intercultural mediators, negotiators, linguistic advisers, etc., in addition to educators.

Justification

The Master's Degree in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics (MALTA) is a joint postgraduate degree from the Faculty of Letters that:

• It offers the graduate student the necessary initiation to train as future researchers in various fields of theoretical and applied linguistics, as well as a high specialization for those who want a higher degree of academic training and updating in professional applications of language and linguistics.
• It brings together the offer of Linguistics of the different Philologies of the Faculty of Letters at the postgraduate level, bringing together its main specialists with a proven track record and consolidated professional experience.
• It has more than 100 lines of research among its specialists from the perspective of 8 areas of knowledge and 14 research groups at the UMU.
• It presents a flexible structure that allows a personalized curricular design through its 84 optional credits offered, 9 compulsory and 12 of Master's Thesis.

The academic interest of the master's degree (MALTA) is especially evident in that it represents a continuity of linguistic studies at our University, given that the offer of Bachelor's Degrees does not contain any specific degree that covers this type of study. Only some Bachelor's degrees in the Humanities field offer subjects with linguistic content, to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the case, and always referring to particular languages; subjects that must share degrees with specifically literary studies of different languages and cultures, without the possibility of exclusive projection of linguistic studies. In this sense, the offer of this master's degree would come to occupy an evident void, making it possible for students in whom a special interest in linguistic studies had begun to continue them at a level of specialization such as that proposed by MALTA.

The fact that the University Master's Degree in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics has been conceived as a research training master's degree, opens the possibility for PhD studies, opening a way for the training of research staff in the linguistic domain.

Competencies

The general objective of the Master is embodied in a series of degree competencies that students must achieve during their master's studies and that are required to grant the corresponding degree. These objectives therefore require specific basic, general and specific competences.

Basic skills

At least those listed in RD 1393/2007 (modified by 861/2010), which establishes the order of official university education on competencies to be achieved in master's studies, and those that appear will be guaranteed. in the Spanish Framework of Qualifications for Higher Education (MECES). The basic competencies of this study plan allow and guarantee that students:

• Possess and understand language and linguistic knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and / or application of ideas, often in a research context.
• That they know how to apply the acquired knowledge and their capacity to solve problems in new or little-known environments both in language and linguistics and within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study.
• That they be able to integrate linguistic knowledge and face the complexity of formulating judgments based on information that, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments.
• That they know how to communicate their conclusions - and the ultimate knowledge and reasons that support them - to specialized and non-specialized audiences in a clear and unambiguous way.
• That they possess the learning skills that allow them to continue studying in a way that will have to be largely self-directed or autonomous.

General Competences

• Know the traditional and recent epistemological and methodological developments in theoretical and applied linguistics. Related to the basic competences CB1, CB3 and CB5.
• Know how to apply recent methodological knowledge to solving specific problems in the field of theoretical or applied linguistic research. Related to the basic competences CB1, CB2 and CB3.
• Demonstrate mastery in the use of documentary sources specific to linguistics.
• Know the basic procedures for the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. Related to the basic skills CB2 and CB3.
• Know the most advanced and recent techniques of linguistic analysis in the theoretical and applied field. Related to the basic competences CB2, CB3 and CB5.
• Understand the ethical dimension of language in its social use. Related to the basic skills CB2 and CB4.
• Critically appraise theories and empirical contributions in the different fields of linguistic knowledge. Related to basic CB5 proficiency
• Being able to isolate and critically evaluate the essential elements in research work in the field of linguistics. Related to the basic skills CB2 and CB3.

Relationship between basic skills and general skills of the degree

Specific Competences

• Adequately identify the research questions of synchronous and diachronic descriptive linguistics. CB3 core competency related
• Interdisciplinary relationship between linguistic knowledge and the progress of the different theoretical and applied sciences related to linguistics. Related to the basic competences CB1, CB2 and CB3.
• Apply the relevant analysis technique for the specific linguistic field studied. Related to the basic competences CB2, CB3 and CB5.
• Identify the correlations between social factors and linguistic factors through the Sociolinguistics methodology.
• Know the nature and functioning of the lexicon of natural languages. Related to basic CB3 competence.

Relationship between basic skills and specific skills of the degree

Graduation profile

The Study Plan of this Master's Degree takes into account that any professional activity must be carried out:

• From the respect to the fundamental rights and equality between men and women, should be included, in the curricula where appropriate, teachings related to said rights.
• From the respect and promotion of Human Rights and the principles of universal accessibility and design for all in accordance with the provisions of the tenth final provision of Law 51/2003, of December 2, on Equal opportunities, non-discrimination and accessibility universal of people with disabilities, and should include, in the curricula where appropriate, teachings related to these rights and principles.
• In accordance with the values of a culture of peace and democratic values, and should include, in the curricula where appropriate, teachings related to these values.

Based on the above, the Master's Degree in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics has the following objectives:

• Enable graduates of Bachelor's degrees in the field of Humanities to train as researchers in some of the most consolidated areas of linguistic research.
• Train researchers in the field of Linguistics to join existing research groups in the Faculty of Arts of the Universidad de Murcia , in the Faculties of Arts and / or Humanities of other public or private universities, or in Research Centers.
• Provide students with the appropriate specialization through solid knowledge, from a scientific perspective, that deepens and broadens previous linguistic knowledge, allowing them to carry out quality research
• Enable graduates of the Humanities Degrees, different degrees and different Study Plans, advanced training in knowledge of human language that may be of interest in different professional fields.
• Train students in research methodology applied to the chosen field of Linguistics
• To offer possibilities of consolidation and improvement of linguistic knowledge to all those professionals especially linked to the public use of language, such as communicators, intercultural mediators, negotiators, etc.

These objectives therefore require specific basic, general and specific competences. At least those listed in RD 1393/2007 (modified by 861/2010), which establishes the order of official university education on competencies to be achieved in master's studies, and those that appear will be guaranteed. in the Spanish Framework of Qualifications for Higher Education (MECES). The basic competencies of this study plan allow and guarantee that students:

• Possess and understand language and linguistic knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and / or application of ideas, often in a research context.
• That they know how to apply the acquired knowledge and their capacity to solve problems in new or little-known environments both in language and linguistics and within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study.
• That they be able to integrate linguistic knowledge and face the complexity of formulating judgments based on information that, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments.
• That they know how to communicate their conclusions - and the ultimate knowledge and reasons that support them - to specialized and non-specialized audiences in a clear and unambiguous way.
• That they possess the learning skills that allow them to continue studying in a way that will have to be largely self-directed or autonomous.

A teaching institution of higher education that has infrastructure for teaching and research of international excellence. An innovative, dynamic, responsible university committed to its environment, which does not forget its historical roots.

Mission, vision and values of the Universidad de Murcia

The Mission of the university outlines its purpose or reason for being, and its Vision reflects what it wants to become in the future, the perspective of the University in the long term.

The Universidad de Murcia is a public institution of Higher Education with an international scope of action. Its purpose is to contribute to the development of society, acting as a dynamic agent in cooperation with the other social agents. Its main activities focus on the development of Research, Training, Knowledge Transfer, and Cultural Dissemination, applying innovation and continuous improvement processes to all of them, with the purpose of achieving a high level of quality of results, visible through a clear transparency policy.

Its main values, included in the Code of Ethics of the Universidad de Murcia , are Commitment, Dialogue, Respect and Responsibility:

• The Commitment demands to assume the objectives of the University and adopt to achieve these goals a good administration and management, enhancing university social responsibility, overcoming personal and corporate selfishness to engage with others in university tasks and in solving common problems.
• The Dialogue implies the willingness to coordinate reasonably and reasonably with others to cooperate effectively taking into account the positioning, interests or situation of each one, with the purpose of peacefully solving those seeking the right balance and consensus.
• Respect implies treating all people with impartiality, deference and consideration, avoiding discrimination for reasons beyond their merits and avoiding prejudices, according to the consideration of the equal dignity of every human being as a supreme value.
• Responsibility consists in honestly assuming one's own duties and obligations, and being willing to give an account of this to whomever corresponds, acting in accordance with the ethical principles personally assumed, being key elements goodwill, coherence and exemplary practice.

These values are in turn identified with the defense and promotion of Human Rights, universal accessibility, equality between men and women, the culture of peace and democratic values, participation, interdisciplinarity, pluralism, defense of the environment. and sustainability.

10 reasons to choose the UMU

1. Why UMU?

Centennial University strategically positioned in the present and prepared for the future

The Universidad de Murcia (UMU) is an international institution with more than one hundred years old, whose origins date back to the thirteenth century. It has more than 30,000 students (2,000 of them international), 3,000 researchers and professors and more than 1,200 administration employees.

2. Multidisciplinary offer of studies

60 degrees, 72 masters and 36 doctorates

The UMU is a public and comprehensive university that offers 60 degree programs - 5 double degrees -, 72 master's degrees and 36 doctoral degrees in the fields of Arts and Humanities, Engineering, Health Sciences, Sciences, Social Sciences and Law.

3. Bet on quality education

Quality recognition in university centers and services

The Universidad de Murcia focuses on academic excellence and plays a very important role in research (350 research groups, 4 institutes and research centers), teaching and innovation in all areas of knowledge. In addition, it works closely with national and international companies.

4. Leading the way in digital technology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

Leading European Commission projects for research and innovation in cybersecurity

It offers a wide range of services, such as "Lola Chatbot", with artificial intelligence to help students choose their studies and answer questions in the admission process.

5. Connection with the labor market

More than 75% of students get an occupation after finishing the degree

UMU students have the opportunity to pursue intellectual development as well as to acquire professional skills.

6. University open to the world, with more than 2,000 students making international mobility plans

7 bilingual Spanish-English programs and students of more than 50 nationalities

Our institution offers 4 degree courses in English (Law, Business Management and Administration, Primary Education, and English Studies), and 3 postgraduate programs (Biology and Technology of Mammalian Reproduction, New Technologies in Computer Science, and Physics).

7. Satisfaction of international students

Located among the best rated universities in Europe by students

The International Welcome Point at the UMU (International Welcome Point - IWP) provides information on issues such as the admission procedure, obtaining accommodation and legalization.

8. Commitment to society

Attention to diversity and equal opportunities between women and men

UMU is the second university in Spain that integrates a greater number of students with disabilities. Through its Service of Attention to Diversity and Volunteering, it participates in the "Inclusive Campus Program: Campus without limits" funded by the Government of Spain, ONCE and the REPSOL Foundation.

9. Commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Project best valued in terms of sustainable development

ODSessions is the project that the Universidad de Murcia is developing for the promotion and awareness of the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations. Until April 2021, the UMU will dedicate one month to each of these objectives with dissemination, recreational, training and solidarity activities.

10. Murcia, a city for students

Quality of life in a unique environment in the Mediterranean

Located in the southeast of Spain, the city of Murcia benefits from an excellent location, low cost of living and a great variety in the cultural and tourist offer. In its squares and terraces you can discover a quiet and friendly city for students. With about half a million inhabitants, it is the seventh city in Spain.

Ethical code

In order to transform the University into the most fair and honest version possible, the Code of Ethics of the Universidad de Murcia was approved in 2016, prepared after a process in which all the groups that are part of it collaborated.

The four fundamental values on which it is based, Commitment, Dialogue, Respect and Responsibility, should guide all the actions and relationships of the university community. Therefore, it is our priority to disseminate the Code of Ethics at all levels of the Universidad de Murcia , also seeking their full understanding and implementation.

Its effective compliance will be supervised by the Code of Ethics Monitoring Commission (CSCE), established on September 4, 2018. This is made up of people from different areas of the university community and experts:

• Antonio José Carrasco Hernández. Campus Infrastructure Coordinator
• Carmen Sánchez Trigueros. Director of the Unit for Equality between Women and Men
• Emilio Martínez Navarro. Responsible for the elaboration of the Code of Ethics
• Francisco Esquembre Martínez. Vice Chancellor for Research and Transfer
• José Antonio Cascales Saseta. Manager
• José Ramón Salcedo Hernández. Director of the Bioright Law Master: Law, Ethics and Science
• Juan José Vera Martínez. University Advocate
• Longinos Marín Rives. Vice Chancellor for Social Responsibility and Transparency
• Bald Pigeon. Vice Chancellor of Students and Services to the University Community
• José Miguel Rojo Martínez. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Student Council of the Universidad de Murcia

Since its creation, the CSCE has organized both virtual and physical distribution of the Code of Ethics. Currently, all the buildings of the Universidad de Murcia , not only the faculties, but also those destined for the staff, have one or two dispensers with copies of the Code of Ethics, which are being replaced.

In addition, all the new workers of the Universidad de Murcia now receive the Code of Ethics in the Human Resources Area.

Other actions related to the dissemination of the Code of Ethics have been the giving of lectures on it to new students of some Faculties that required it, by Professor Emilio Martínez Navarro, or the appointment of classrooms as the values of the Code of Ethics, such as the Respect Room of the Faculty of Sports Sciences.