Linguistics

Linguistics is the study of human language as a universal part of human behavior and thinking. Students will scientifically study language and its structure, receiving training in topics relating to the sounds that we produce to how we combine units of meaning to make words and sentences. They will also explore various aspects of linguistic investigation from language use, meaning, and stylistics to language change and variation. Possible course topics include varieties of speaking with regional dialects, social dialects, gender differences, and the languages of politics and religion, as well as properties of some of the world’s major languages.

Students will also broaden their foreign language experience through gaining advanced proficiency in a foreign language. Additionally, students will complete a field methods option to gain practical experiences in research on language structure and use.

For detailed information about the Linguistics major and degree requirements, visit the departmental website and the College of Arts and Sciences Academic Bulletin.

Students may also wish to pursue a Linguistics/Anthropology BA as an interdepartmental major. Students of this major will gain experience in both linguistics and anthropology to focus on language, culture, and the relationships between these domains. Coursework will provide both a historical perspective on language as well as an investigative perspective developed through a fieldwork course. Students will also select an African or American focus, studying in-depth the languages and cultures of that region.

For detailed information about the Linguistics/Anthropology major and degree requirements, visit the departmental website and College of Arts and Sciences Academic Bulletin.