Linguistics is the scientific study of human language.

The central goal of the Linguistics Major is to provide students with the analytical skills and linguistic concepts needed to understand language scientifically, whether formally, as researchers, or informally, as participants in daily linguistic interactions.

The foundation of the Linguistics Major is a set of rigorous core courses, informed by contemporary approaches to the study of linguistic form and meaning. The Core courses cover the principal domains of linguistic analysis: phonetics and phonology, syntax, and meaning. Students then move on to the Extended Core, which includes more advanced courses as well as courses on a wider range of topics, such as intonation and language variation. These courses are supplemented by a wide-ranging set of electives including linguistically relevant courses taught in other departments. Primary majors complete their course of study with a Senior Thesis, a semester-long research project carried out independently with one-on-one guidance from a member of the linguistics faculty.

Curriculum

The Linguistics primary major requires a total of 12 courses plus a senior thesis. The Linguistics additional major requires a total of 13 courses (senior thesis not required). This includes 2 semesters of sequential language study for all majors. At least three courses (not including specific language courses) must be at the 300-level or higher. All courses counted towards the major must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of "C" or above. Students may double count any course for the major simultaneously with another major or minor

LINGUISTICS CORE (36 UNITS)

Complete the following requirements.

EXTENDED CORE (27 UNITS)

Choose three courses (27 units) from Extended Core and/or additional courses from Linguistics Core.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

Students must successfully complete 2 semesters of foreign language study in a single language (e.g. 100 & 200 level).

ELECTIVES

Primary majors choose three additional electives (27 or more units). Additional majors choose four additional electives (36 or more units). Primary majors: see thesis requirement below.

These Electives can be additional courses from the Core or Extended Core courses listed above, the electives list below, or any other course which is approved by the Academic Program Manager as a linguistics elective. Listed below are the additional electives taught on a regular basis. Additional appropriate courses are offered irregularly or on a one-off basis. The Academic Program Manager will provide students with a list of possible electives each semester, and will assist students in selecting electives which are consistent with their goals and interests.

SENIOR THESIS [PRIMARY MAJORS ONLY]

Primary majors must complete a senior thesis (a workload equivalent to a 12-unit course)   Senior Thesis. Topics must be approved by an advisor, who will work with the student and guide the thesis project. Students are responsible for identifying their topic and securing their thesis advisor. Students should work with the Academic Program Manager of the major to begin the process of identifying their thesis topic and advisor during the fall of their senior year at the latest. Students will be required to submit a written proposal of their thesis project, signed by their thesis faculty advisor, before the end of the semester preceding that in which the thesis research will be conducted.

ADDITIONAL MAJOR IN LINGUISTICS

The Linguistics additional major requires a total of 13 courses. This includes 2 semesters of language study for all majors. At least three courses (not including specific language courses) must be at the 300-level or higher. Additional majors are not required to write a thesis but must take four electives (36 or more units). All courses counted towards the major must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of "C" or above. Students may double count any course for the major simultaneously with another major or minor.  If you are interested in obtaining an additional major in Linguistics, please reach out to the Academic Program Manager, Philosophy Department.