Linguistics

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Majors

The Department of Linguistics offers two major programs of study: Linguistics and Linguistics & Languages. Each may be taken as a course major or as an honors major.

Requirements for All Majors

Sounds LING 045 (Phonology)
Forms LING 050 (Syntax)
Meanings Either:
LING 040 (Semantics), or
LING 026 (Language & Meaning)
Structure of a
Non-Indo-European Language 		Any one of:
LING 061 (Structure of Navajo)
LING 062 (Structure of American Sign Language)
LING 064 (Structure of Tuvan)
Thesis Either:
LING 100 (for course majors), 2 credits, or
LING 195 (for honors majors), 2 credits

 

In addition to the above, students majoring in Linguistics or in Linguistics & Languages must fulfill the following requirements:

Linguistics Course Major

A total of at least 8 credits in Linguistics

Ling. & Lang. Course Major

A total of 6 credits in Linguistics
At least 3 credits in each of 2 languages, as follows:
For a modern language:
  • 1 composition & diction course
  • 2 literature courses
    (or 1 seminar)
For a classical language:
  • 1 intermediate-level course
  • 1 seminar

Linguistics Honors Major

A total of at least 8 credits in Linguistics
2 linguistics research papers, written in LING 199 (see below)
Separate oral honors exams on:
  • your thesis
  • linguistics research paper 1
  • linguistics research paper 2
  • (your minor subject)

Ling. & Lang. Honors Major

A total of 6 credits in Linguistics
At least 3 credits in each of 2 languages, as follows:
For a modern language:
  • 1 composition and diction course
  • 2 upper-level courses
    (or 1 seminar)
For a classical language:
  • 1 intermediate-level course
  • 1 seminar
2 linguistics research papers, written in LING 199 (see below)
1 research paper on a topic related to 1 of your languages (see below)
A single (long) oral honors exam with all four examiners, covering your thesis and all 3 papers

Honors Portfolio

Each linguistics research paper synthesizes concepts and material from a pair of courses taken in linguistics (e.g., Syntax & Semantics, or Phonology & Historical). The question each paper answers will be asked by your external examiner. These papers are written without faculty guidance or peer collaboration.

The research paper on a language is administered by the appropriate language department.