Mission
The mission of the Department of Linguistics at the University of Iowa is to answer fundamental questions about language through cutting-edge research and by expanding the reach of experimental and cognitive science. We seek to generate science-based linguistic knowledge for instruction and to construct empirically testable theoretical hypotheses. Our faculty strive to build and maintain scholarly and pedagogical bridges to different groups on campus. Overall, in our courses, we aspire to advance awareness of linguistic rights and serve diverse populations. In the department, diversity means respecting a variety of voices in the classroom, welcoming a range of people from different backgrounds, and valuing the ways in which we speak differently. We strive to make all speakers feel appreciated and valued.  

Vision
Language acquisition is the unifying topic around which the Department of Linguistics is built. This is an area of great societal importance. The current trends in language sciences address the fundamental questions of linguistics not only by using a core analytic approach but also by applying experimental and computational techniques. Our department successfully combines these approaches. We deliver a first-class undergraduate and graduate education focused on the scientific study of language itself, its acquisition, and current experimental methods and technologies. Linguistics as a field is at the intersection of psychology, education, anthropology, and computer science. We connect these areas through our classes and research, showing how learning linguistics has an important impact in many areas of human interaction including social justice. We, as linguists, aspire to educate ourselves by reflecting collectively on how to examine issues of linguistic diversity and existing prejudices. We strive to disseminate knowledge and spread awareness of our discipline among the students and community by engaging with the public.