Linguistics (BA)

Program Overview

Linguistics is an interdisciplinary practice that seeks to analyze communicative behaviors using science and cultural information. A major in linguistics can be individualized according to your interests. Class work emphasizes oral presentation and communication skills as well as a strong foundation in logic, analysis and understanding arguments.

As a linguistics major, you are required to learn two additional languages and complete a minimum of three higher-level electives.

Degrees Offered

• BA in Linguistics

Internships, research opportunities and more

Popular internships include legal and/or psychology, working with children or working abroad.

Coursework

Some courses to consider in your first year:

• LING 114 - Lang,Cult&Communication in US

  Introduction to the plurality of communication patterns in the U.S., with particular attention to at least three of the following communities: African American, Native American, Asian American, European American and Latino American; links between cultural groups and different communication and discourse patterns; language and identity; ways in which communication differences structure intercultural interaction. 4 credits. Fall semester. Levels: Undergraduate

• LING 118 - Intro To Linguistic Structures

  Basic methods and concepts of linguistic analysis, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics, with special attention to cross-linguistic comparison. 4 credits. Offered Spring semester. Levels: Undergraduate

• LING 170 - Intro to Linguistic Anthro

  This introduction to linguistic anthropology will consider language as social action, the relationship between language and culture and language use itself in specific sociocultural contexts. The course as a whole will help the student to understand how language both reflects and shapes social action and thought. Other topics of study will include language and power, language and gender and various perspectives on multilingualism. Offered every spring. 4 credits. Levels: Undergraduate

After You Graduate

A BA in linguistics gives you a variety of competitive skills including an understanding of multiple languages and of qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Linguistics students are prepared for law school, teaching English abroad, translation careers or graduate school in a variety of fields. This is also a foundation for students wishing to work in audiology, deaf education or speech/language pathology.