Prerequisites
The prerequisite for entering the major in Linguistics is the successful completion of LIN 201/CGS 201 (Introduction to Language and Linguistics). In special circumstances, with the permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, the prerequisite may be taken concurrent with declaring the major (spring of sophomore year) and/or may be waived; if waived, then the student is not required to take a different course in place of LIN 201. LIN 201 must be taken for a grade (not P/D/F).
In addition to LIN 201, any student planning to major in Linguistics is strongly encouraged to complete at least two other LIN courses prior to the beginning of their junior year, with one of these at the 300-level.
Majors in Linguistics must fulfill the following requirements:
- take a total of nine graded courses (beyond LIN 201),
- produce independent work in their junior and senior years,
- and complete an oral defense of their Senior Thesis.
Admission to the Program
To declare a major in Linguistics, students must complete the prerequisite noted above and plan to attend our Sophomore Open House during the spring semester of their sophomore year (if possible). Around this time, they must also meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Course requirements
To earn a degree in Linguistics, students must complete at least nine departmental courses (in addition to the prerequisite course, LIN 201). None of these courses may be taken P/D/F.
(i) Core courses
(a) The student must complete courses in at least three of the following categories of core linguistic theory:
- Phonetics/Phonology (typically fulfilled by LIN 301);
- Syntax (typically fulfilled by LIN 302);
- Semantics (typically fulfilled by either LIN 303 or PHI 334/LIN 334);
- Morphology (typically fulfilled by LIN 306).
(b) Students who are planning to go on to graduate school in Linguistics are strongly encouraged to take courses in all core areas.
(ii) Methodology courses
(a) The student must complete LIN 400 (Junior Methods) in the fall semester of their junior year.
(b) The student must also take one other methodology class, and is strongly encouraged to do so before their senior year. LIN 355 (Field Methods in Linguistics) is offered regularly, and is the primary way this requirement will be fulfilled. However, in some cases, a different LIN-designated course (one that is not taught regularly, e.g., LIN 356, Experimental Linguistics) may serve to fulfill this requirement.
(iii) Elective courses
(a) The student must take four other LIN courses, at least three of them at the 300 level or above; the fourth must be at the 200 level or above. Topics that are regularly offered include bilingualism, historical linguistics, advanced phonology, advanced morphology, and advanced syntax, though this short list is meant to be merely illustrative and students are by no means confined to it. (In exceptional cases, a linguistically-oriented course without a LIN designation can count as an elective, with the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.)
(b) In addition, the student is encouraged to take additional courses that do not have the LIN designation, which will further their linguistic knowledge and goals, especially for the purposes of producing an excellent senior thesis. Possible topics include advanced language and literature, computer programming, linguistic anthropology, logic, philosophy of language, psycholinguistics, and statistics.
Independent work
Empirical and theoretical research is at the core of linguistic work. The primary goal of independent work in linguistics is for students to learn how to understand, conduct, and communicate research.
The student must complete both of the following research papers, on linguistic topics: a Junior Paper (JP) and a Senior Thesis (ST). Both the JP and ST consist of a fall semester research prospectus (undertaken as part of LIN 400 for juniors, and through LIN 498 for seniors) and a spring semester research paper representing the completion of the project (LIN 398 for juniors, LIN 499 for seniors). The ST includes an oral defense in the spring of senior year. Each student is encouraged to begin conceptualizing ideas for their independent work projects before the academic year when the project begins, through meetings with Linguistics faculty.
Independent work advisors are determined early in the fall semester, through a dialogue between the student, potential advisors, and the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The JP and ST both require at least one advisor who is appointed within the Program in Linguistics. If a student has an independent work advisor from outside of Linguistics, they must also have a secondary advisor who is within Linguistics.
Senior Thesis Defense
The student must complete an in-person defense of their ST at the end of the spring semester of their senior year. The defense is conducted by the student’s thesis advisor and a second reader, who will be selected by their advisor; if a student’s thesis has two advisors, a second reader is not required.
Meet the Majors
See a list of our Linguistics Majors.
