Interdepartmental Major in Linguistics

A major in Linguistics permits a student to explore both the independent and interdisciplinary aspects of human language. Courses focus on both historical and synchronic analysis, and cover several modern approaches to data. Students wishing to declare the major should have already completed or be currently enrolled in at least one course counting toward the program.

Why Study Linguistics?

Requirements for Major

The major program consists of 30 credits. The following courses, yielding 12 credits, are required of all majors:

• LNGS 325
• a course in historical linguistics (e.g., LNGS 326 or ANTH 348).
• a course in the structure of a language, which must be a linguistics course (e.g., RUSS 521 or 522, ANTH 504)
• a course in theoretical linguistics, (e.g., ANTH 542, ANTH 541, PHIL 550).

The remaining credit hours are comprised of linguistics electives. A maximum of three credits of study of an ancient (e.g., Sanskrit, Old Icelandic) or a non-Indo-European (e.g., Japanese, American Sign Language) language may be applied toward the major. The program is chosen in consultation with the program director. Input from an advisor in a related department is also encouraged.

Distinguished Majors Program in Linguistics

Students with superior academic performance may apply to the Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) in which they write a thesis demonstrating original research. Requirements for admission to the DMP are:

1. an overall GPA of at least 3.400, and a GPA of at least 3.400 in the major. This GPA must be maintained throughout the fourth year in order for distinction to be awarded;
2. a thesis proposal, signed and approved by the faculty member in Linguistics who has primary responsibility for supervising the thesis, and by a second faculty member who is the second reader.

After admission, DMP students enroll in LING 498 in the first semester of the fourth year. In the second semester of the fourth year, students sign up for LING 499. The thesis may be based on empirical research conducted by the student or a critical review or theoretical analysis of existing findings in linguistics or a related field. Students must submit the first draft to their advisors by March 1, and the final draft by April 15. Students apply by contacting the Director of the Linguistics Program before the fall semester of the fourth year.

Requirements for Minor

The minor is the same as the major with respect to required courses. Two electives are required in addition, for a total of 18 credits.

Additional information is available in the Undergraduate Record.