Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Linguistics Major, B.A.


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The Linguistics program is an interdisciplinary study of human language.  The core of the Linguistics major is the study and analysis of language structure (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics) focusing not only on the structure of English but also that of other languages. 

In addition to completing the core courses that focus on general linguistics, students must complete two semesters of a single modern language of their choice, at or above the 2000-level, as well as explore the various ways in which language is related to human beings and human experience. 

The Linguistics major is designed to help students gain knowledge about language and its significance in society, to aid students in critical thinking,  and to prepare them for a world of linguistic diversity.  This major is excellent for students who are planning careers in business, law, education, or writing.  The major also prepares students for graduate programs in linguistics or a particular linguistics subfield, such as anthropological linguistics, socio-linguistics, psycholinguistics, computational linguistics, modern or classical languages, or ESL. 

No single course in the Linguistics program may be used to fulfill more than one requirement. To receive credit for any ENG or LING prefix course, the student must receive a grade of “C-” or better. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.

Language Requirement


Linguistics majors are required to take at least 6 credit hours of a single foreign language at or above the 2000-level (the language courses must contain grammar). Students who have not taken enough high school language courses to enter at the 2000-level will be required to take the prerequisite, 1000-level language courses. 

Linguistics majors who are Modern Language minors must take either:

  • 6 credit hours of a different language than their minor at or above the 2000-level, or
  • 6 credit hours from the courses listed below in either the linguistics and/or the interdisciplinary electives category.

Subtotal: 6 credits

Linguistics Electives


Any six of the following courses may be chosen in consultation with a linguistics faculty advisor:

Interdisciplinary Electives


Any three of the following interdisciplinary courses may be chosen in consultation with a linguistics faculty advisor (at least one must be 3000/4000-level):

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