Noam Chomsky to start new professorship at University of Arizona

World-famous linguist and philosopher to teach students from Spring 2018

The philosopher leaves his post as Institute Professor Emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to become a teacher and speaker at the University of Arizona (Getty)

Noam Chomsky is to start a new role as a laureate professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Arizona (UA).

The 88-year-old linguist and political philosopher retains his position as Institute Professor Emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), but will also make time to teach and speak at UA, where he already makes guest appearances.

He will also take the title of “Agnese Nelms Haury Chair” as part of the University’s Environment and Social Justice programme.

​Chomsky is due to start work this month and teach from the spring term next year on a salary of $62,500 per year (around £48,000) – all of which is said to be funded by philanthropic donations, mostly from the Agnese Nelms Haury Program.

While he will not be a full-time faculty member, John Paul Jones III, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences [sic], expects him to have a full schedule, splitting his time between teaching and public events.

Considered the founder of modern linguistics, Chomsky is one of the most cited scholars in modern history and has written more than 100 books, including the groundbreaking “Syntactic Structures,” “Language and Mind,” “Aspects of the Theory of Syntax” and “The Minimalist Program”.

He was awarded his doctorate in 1955, when he began to work at the MIT. His work has also influenced research within cognitive science, philosophy, computer science, mathematics, education and psychology.

”That Noam Chomsky would choose to come to the University of Arizona to write, teach and engage us in discussions of global importance speaks volumes of our campus, and we look forward to benefiting from his unmatched expertise and perspective,“ said Mr Jones.

”Whether leading an advanced graduate seminar on theories of language — most of which bear his name — or by engaging undergraduates in discussions of contemporary economic inequalities, Noam's keen intellect, gentle presence and unwavering commitment to the wider social good is always in evidence,“ he added. ”I'm delighted to be able to announce his arrival this fall.“

This article originally suggested that Noam Chomsky was to leave his post at MIT. In fact, he retains his position and will continue to teach there from time to time. 22/8/17