The B.A. in Linguistics provides a scientific exploration into the study of human language. Throughout the major, students are exposed to courses that outline the theoretical foundations in this field as well as practical application of problem-solving in linguistics. The goal of the linguistics major is to gain a better understanding of what human language is, how we learn it, and how we use it. The major surveys a number of core subfields in linguistics, including sounds (phonetics), sound systems (phonology), sentence structure (syntax), and meaning formation (semantics/pragmatics). In a series of required and elective courses, students will develop strong analytical skills relevant for career paths in language research, technology, education, business, as well as clinical applications such as speech language pathology.
Why major in Linguistics?
Linguistics offers a blend of scientific inquiry and interdisciplinary exploration, appealing to those with a passion for language, cognition, and culture. For those with a curiosity about language and its role in shaping the human experience, linguistics offers a rewarding journey of discovery and insight. Students with a major in linguistics find careers in fields such as research, technology, education, and speech pathology.
Unless otherwise noted, 120 credits of coursework is required for a baccalaureate degree with a minimum 2.0 overall GPA, and a minimum 2.0 major GPA.
Program Requirements Overview
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 39 | |
| World Languages and Cultures Requirements | 3-9 | |
| Major Requirements | 36-37 | |
| Free Electives | 42-35 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| LNGN 210 | Introduction to General Linguistics | 3 |
| LNGN 220 | Structure of American English | 3 |
| LNGN 230 | Language in Society | 3 |
| or LNGN 245 | Language and Culture | |
| LNGN 300 | Syntax | 3 |
| LNGN 301 | Semantics | 3 |
| or LNGN 302 | Pragmatics | |
| LNGN 331 | Phonetics | 3 |
| LNGN 332 | Phonology | 3 |
| Major Elective Courses | ||
| Select 15-16 credits from the list below. | 15-16 | |
| Total Credits | 36-37 | |
Major Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LNGN 110 | Language of Food | 3 |
| LNGN 120 | Language and Computers | 3 |
| LNGN 130 | Speech Processing | 4 |
| LNGN 230 | Language in Society | 3 |
| LNGN 245 | Language and Culture | 3 |
| LNGN 240 | Languages of the World | 3 |
| LNGN 250 | Language of Propaganda | 3 |
| LNGN 255 | Language and Gender | 3 |
| LNGN 260 | Dialectology | 3 |
| LNGN 280 | Bilingualism | 3 |
| LNGN 284 | History of the English Language | 3 |
| LNGN/PSYC 288 | Introduction to Cognitive Science | 3 |
| LNGN 301 | Semantics | 3 |
| LNGN 302 | Pragmatics | 3 |
| LNGN 304 | Principles of Discourse Analysis | 3 |
| LNGN 310 | Morphology | 3 |
| LNGN 320 | Quantitative Linguistics | 3 |
| LNGN 325 | Principles of Second Language Learning | 3 |
| LNGN 330 | Scripting Tools for Text Analysis | 3 |
| LNGN 340 | Linguistic Annotation | 3 |
| LNGN 350 | Linguistics of American Sign Language and Other Signed Languages | 3 |
| LNGN 351 | Gesture, Sign, and Speech: The Multi-Modality of Communication | 3 |
| LNGN 370 | Comparative and Historical Linguistics | 3 |
| LNGN 380 | Corpus Linguistics | 3 |
| LNGN 420 | Language and the Mind | 3 |
| LNGN 430 | Field Methods | 3 |
| LNGN 445 | Natural Language Processing | 3 |
| LNGN 450 | Special Topics in Linguistics | 3 |
| LNGN 478 | Independent Study | 3 |
| PSYC 348 | Psycholinguistics | 3 |
| LNGN 488 | Seminar in Cognitive Science | 3 |
General Education Requirements
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| A. New Student Seminar | ||
| Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar course. | 1 | |
| C. Communication | ||
| 1. Writing | 3 | |
| 2. Literature | 3 | |
| 3. Communication | 3 | |
| D. Fine and Performing Arts | ||
| Complete a 3 credit Fine and Performing Arts course. | 3 | |
| F. Humanities | ||
| 1. Great Works and Their Influences | 3 | |
| 2. Philosophical and Religious Perspectives | 3 | |
| G. Computer Science | ||
| Complete a 3 credit Computer Science course. | 3 | |
| H. Mathematics | ||
| Complete a 3 credit Mathematics course. | 3 | |
| I. Natural Science Laboratory | ||
| Complete a 4 credit Natural Science Laboratory course. | 4 | |
| J. Physical Education | ||
| Complete a 1 credit Physical Education course. | 1 | |
| K. Social Science | ||
| 1. American and European History | 3 | |
| 2. Global Cultural Perspectives | 3 | |
| 3. Social Science Perspectives | ||
| Introduction to General Linguistics (Fulfilled in the major.) | ||
| L. Interdisciplinary Studies | ||
| Complete a 3 credit Interdisciplinary Studies course. | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
World Languages and Cultures Requirements
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill World Languages and Cultures categories.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| World Languages | ||
| Based on language placement exam, complete one or two sequential courses in the same language. Requirement is automatically fulfilled by language major courses. | 3-6 | |
| World Cultures | ||
| Requirement may be fulfilled by course selected in General Education - Social Science: Global Cultural Perspectives. Requirement may also be fulfilled by major coursework. See list of courses. | 0-3 | |
| Total Credits | 3-9 | |
Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion
This four-year plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within four years. This plan is a recommendation and students should only use it in consultation with their academic advisor.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (A) New Student Seminar | 1 | GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing | 3 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION: (G) Computer Science | 3 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (C3) Communication | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION: (K1) Social Science – American and European History | 3 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (D) Fine and Performing Arts | 3 | World Language II | 3 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (H) Mathematics | 3 | LNGN 210 | 3 |
| World Language I | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (F1) Humanities – Great Works and Their Influences | 3 | GENERAL EDUCATION: (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives | 3 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (J) Physical Education | 1 | GENERAL EDUCATION: (I) Natural Science Laboratory | 4 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (K2) Social Science – Global Cultural Perspectives | 3 | World Cultures | 3 |
| GENERAL EDUCATION: (L) Interdisciplinary Studies | 3 | LNGN 245 | 3 |
| LNGN 220 | 3 | Or Major Elective 1 | |
| LNGN 230 | 3 | Major Elective 2 | 3 |
| Or Major Elective 1 | |||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| LNGN 300 | 3 | LNGN 301 or 302 | 3 |
| LNGN 331 | 3 | LNGN 332 | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Major Elective 3 | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Major Elective 4 | 3 | Major Elective 5 | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||