BA Program

A major in Linguistics permits a student to explore both the independent and interdisciplinary aspects of human language. Courses focus on both historical and synchronic analysis, and cover several modern approaches to data. Students wishing to declare the major should have already completed or be currently enrolled in at least one course counting toward the program.

Why Study Linguistics?

Requirements for Major

The major program consists of 30 credits. The following courses, yielding 12 credits, are required of all majors:

• LNGS 3250
• a course in historical linguistics (e.g., ANTH 3480, CLAS 3300, or ENLS 3030).
• a course in the structure of a language, which must be a linguistics course (e.g., ANTH 3450, LING 3400, or SPAN 4203)
• a course in theoretical linguistics, (e.g., ANTH 3490 or ANTH 4420).

The remaining credit hours are comprised of linguistics electives. A maximum of three credits of study of an ancient (e.g., Sanskrit, Old Icelandic) or a non-Indo-European (e.g., Japanese, American Sign Language) language may be applied toward the major. Linguistics majors may double-count no more than two courses with another program. The program is chosen in consultation with the program director. Input from an advisor in a related department is also encouraged.

Distinguished Majors Program in Linguistics

Students with superior academic performance may apply to the Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) in which they write a thesis demonstrating original research. It is not obligatory for those pursuing a Linguistics B.A. to complete a Distinguished Majors thesis. Most students, including those with very good grades, do not choose to go this route. Students should only consider this if they have a specific topic in mind that they are highly motivated to pursue, which there is no good way to pursue in the context of an existing class. The thesis may be based on empirical research conducted by the student or it may be a critical review or theoretical analysis of existing findings in linguistics or a closely related field.

Students pursue a Distinguished Major thesis project for a full academic year, in the final year of their BA study.  Students applying to the DMP must have an overall GPA of at least 3.400, and a GPA of at least 3.400 in the major. This GPA must be maintained throughout the fourth year in order for distinction to be awarded. 

The procedure for completion of the Distinguished Majors Program in Linguistics is as follows:

1. Interested students should consult Nathan Wendte, the Director of the Undergraduate Program in Linguistics, by February 15 of their third year to discuss the appropriateness of this program for them. Students should confirm that they meet the GPA minimum requirement of 3.400 before arranging this consultation, and they should bring their ideas for a research topic to the consultation. 
2. By April 15 of the third year, applicants should submit a one-page thesis proposal to the Director of the Undergraduate Program. The proposal must include endorsement by email or signature from two Linguistics faculty members who have agreed to work with the student on this project. Your DMP proposal should include a description of what you plan to study, why it is interesting/important, how you plan to go about the research, and which Linguistics faculty members have agreed to work with you as first and second reader. The first reader has primary responsibility for supervising the thesis, including offering the DMP classes for you and assigning your grade in those classes (please make sure they have agreed to this!). The second reader reviews the completed thesis and then consults with the first reader on the level of Distinction which will be awarded. The second reader may or may not choose to participate more fully in supervision of the thesis research and writing.  The Undergraduate Director may serve as one of the readers, if their expertise aligns with the proposed project, and if they are willing to serve. It is not expected that the Undergraduate Director will serve as a reader on every DMP thesis.
3. Students are notified by June 1 of their third year whether they have been accepted into the DMP program.  
4. After admission, DMP students enroll in LING 4998 in the first semester of the fourth year, and LING 4999 in the second semester of the fourth year, under the supervision of their first reader. These courses place the DMP student over the minimum 30 credits required for the Linguistics major. Grades are assigned in both of these classes, and these grades count toward the student’s GPA and major GPA. 
5. Students submit the first draft of their thesis to their advisors by March 1 of their fourth year, and the final draft by April 15 of their fourth year. 
6. The completed thesis is evaluated by both readers and other interested faculty. As applicable, one of three levels of distinction (Distinction, High Distinction, Highest Distinction) is awarded in time for the student’s graduation ceremony.

Requirements for Minor

The minor is the same as the major with respect to required courses. Two electives are required in addition, for a total of 18 credits. Only Linguistics courses (i.e., no language courses) may be applied toward the minor. Linguistics minors may not double-count any courses with another minor or major.

Declaration Process