Linguistics Major

To provide exposure to a broad range of linguistic subfields, all majors must take five of the following ten courses: 

• Language and Mind (LING 1179)
• Historical Linguistics 1 (LING 2120)
• Phonetics 1 (LING 2200)
• Language and Computation (LING 2270)
• Phonology 1 (LING 2320)
• Syntax 1 (LING 2530)
• Semantics 1 (LING 2630)
• Pragmatics (LING 2750)
• Morphology 1 (LING 2790)
• Language Acquisition (LING 3610)

One of these five courses may instead be replaced by a course that covers several linguistic subfields, such as Introduction to Linguistics (LING 1100) or Cognitive Science of Language (LING 1160). Courses outside of the lists above can be substituted with approval of the DUS.

In one of the eight core areas of linguistics in our department (historical, computational, phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, morphology, language and mind/brain), students must take two courses beyond the introductory level.

For example, if a student wants to focus on Historical Linguistics, they would take LING 1120 “Language in Society” to fulfill the breadth requirement. This course is taught at an introductory level. To fulfill the depth requirement, they might take LING 2120 “Historical 1” or LING 2190 “Evolution of Language and Culture”, and a seminar in Historical Linguistics.

Three additional courses relating to linguistics are required, at least one of which must be at the 2000 level or above. Electives may be chosen from courses offered by the Linguistics department or, with approval of the DUS, from related courses in programs such as Anthropology, Classics, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, English, Philosophy, Psychology, or foreign languages. No more than two foreign language courses may count toward the major without specific DUS approval. 

The Linguistics major has a Senior Requirement (one course). LING 4900, Research Methods in Linguistics, is required and is typically taken in the fall term for those students graduating in the spring. Students graduating in the fall may take it in the fall term of their junior year. This course prepares students for the senior essay.

Typically, Linguistics majors also enroll in LING 4910, The Senior Essay (offered in Spring). Taken together, both courses help senior students in developing their senior thesis, which is the capstone requirement of the major. 

Most linguistics courses offer a Social Sciences (So) distributional credit, and some courses may offer additional credits, such as Writing (WR), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Sciences (Sc), or Humanities (Hu). 

Yes! The linguistics major has a fairly flat structure (that is, many of the classes do not have to be taken in a particular sequence). That makes it relatively straightforward to combine with another major. 

Students have double-majored in recent years in linguistics and a language/literature program (e.g. Italian, Spanish/Portuguese), Classics, Anthropology, ER&M, Computer Science, Economics, Psychology, Philosophy, English, and Mathamatics (among others). Please consult with the DUS for more information.

Yes! However, since Directed Studies takes most of your courses for first year, it’s a good idea to take LING 1100 (Language: Introduction to Linguistics) in the Fall or LING 1120 (Language in Society) in the Spring. This will prepare you to take further linguistics classes in Sophomore year.

Yes! Because the sequence of classes is flexible it’s usually straightforward to combine a linguistics major with a semester of study abroad. We count appropriate study abroad classes for credit towards the major.

Linguistics classes focus on many problem solving skills, which can be useful in a variety of career paths. Check out this list of careers that use specific sets of linguistics skills. We also have other career resources on that page.