BA in Linguistics
The linguistics major consists of linguistics courses designed to foster a deep understanding of human natural language, including an appreciation of the structure and organization of natural languages, the variety of natural languages, the commonalities that underlie the vast apparent differences among languages, the processes of language acquisition in children, the psychological and neurological bases of language use, and the form and significance of social variation in language.
The general linguistics major serves students who have an interest in language as an aspect of human nature or who wish to pursue graduate education in language-related areas.
The goals of the linguistics major are 1) to help each student develop an understanding of the nature of natural language, 2) to help each student develop a foundation of more specialized expertise relevant to the student’s career goals, and 3) to help each student compile a record of achievement that will facilitate the student’s search for employment or further education.
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Courses & Requirements
Checklist of Requirements
General Linguistics (45 Credits)
- LIN 185: Language, Mind & Society
- LIN 311: Phonetics
- LIN 312: Phonology & Morphology
- LIN 313: Syntax
- LIN 314: Semantics
- LIN 315: Field Methods
- LIN 490: Introduction to Language Research
- One 2xx, 3xx, or 4xx LIN course, or an ENG language-focused course
- One 3xx or 4xx LIN course
- Two 4xx LIN courses
- Language study: 4 semesters
For General Linguistics with Honors:
- G.P.A. of at least 3.7 in LIN courses
- Grade of at least 'B' in language courses for the major
- LIN 498 (Thesis), with grade of 'A'
- Portfolio
Suggested four-year plan for General Linguistics and each Concentration:
There are many possible paths through the major. The listings below are suggestions that may or may not be appropriate for individual students. Courses do not have to be taken in the order shown here so long as the prerequisites for each course are met before it is taken.
See the departmental catalog listing for course prerequisites. Note especially that students must earn at least a 'B' in LIN 185 before enrolling in LIN 311, 312, 313, 314, or 315.
Note that many of the suggested semester schedules listed here do not make up a full course load. These semesters would need to be filled out with general education courses, electives, a minor, or possibly a second major.
General:
- Fall 1: LIN 185
- Spring 1: LIN 312
- Fall 2: LIN 311, LIN 313, Language 1
- Spring 2: MAT 120 (or PSY 105), Language 2, LIN 4xx (such as LIN 421 or 426)
- Summer 3: LIN 315
- Fall 3: LIN 314, LIN 2xx/3xx/4xx (such as LIN 201 or 310), Language 3
- Spring 3: LIN 490, LIN 422, LIN 3xx/4xx (such as LIN 395, 398, or 426), Language 4
- Fall 4: LIN 498 thesis (if doing honors)
Long-term scheduling
To help students plan their academic careers, we try to offer courses on a regular cycle. This is difficult and we cannot always offer courses when we, or our students, would most like them to appear. So, this listing should not be mistaken for a promise to offer any particular course in any given semester. Nevertheless, to the extent we can, we try to keep to the plan laid out below.
Offered every fall:
- ASL 101, 201
- ASL 401
- LIN 185
- LIN 211
- LIN 310
- LIN 311 (or every other fall)
- LIN 313
- LIN 331
- LIN 332
- LIN 334
Offered every spring:
- ASL 101, 102, 202
- ASL 402
- LIN 185
- LIN 201
- LIN 203
- LIN 305
- LIN 312 (or every other spring)
- LIN 333
- LIN 422
- LIN 435
Offered once a year, semester varies, sometimes summer:
- ASL 301 or 302 or 303
- LIN 213
- LIN 315
Offered once every two years in spring:
- LIN 212
- LIN 314
- LIN 421
- LIN 490
Offered every semester as independent learning options:
- LIN 395
- LIN 398
- LIN 498
Offered irregularly, depending on demand:
- LIN 405
- LIN 425
- LIN 426
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