Linguistics (B.A.)
Linguistics is devoted to the scientific study of language structure and use. The Linguistics Program at Wayne State offers an interdisciplinary approach to this field, permitting students to explore a wide range of topics and issues in language research. Training in linguistics prepares students for advanced work in linguistic research, as well as for employment in teaching English and foreign languages; computer systems (especially natural language processing); broadcasting, mass media and journalism; publishing and editing; translation; international business; intercultural communication and negotiation; law; and generally any profession requiring the precise use or analysis of speech or writing.
Admission requirements for this program are satisfied by the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the University.
Candidates must complete 120 credits in course work including satisfaction of the University General Education Requirements and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Group Requirements, as well as the departmental major requirements cited below. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the University and the College governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees. Course selections are to be planned in consultation with the linguistics program advisor. Students must complete a minimum of thirty credits in course work to satisfy the major requirements as outlined below.
Required Courses
The linguistics major requirements consist of:
- three required general courses;
- one required language use course involving either the analysis of speech data acquired in fieldwork or theories that address language use; and
- a set of electives.
Also, in the senior year, majors must register for and complete LIN 5993, Writing Intensive Requirement (0 credits). This course is to be taken in conjunction with another course, as explained under Linguistics Courses. In the final semester of study, assessment of knowledge in the major is determined by review of a student portfolio and by an exit interview conducted by members of the faculty. Both the portfolio and the interview must be deemed acceptable before the Program will certify completion of all major requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required General Linguistics Courses | ||
| LIN 2720 | Basic Concepts in Linguistics | 3 |
| or LIN 5700 | Introduction to Linguistic Theory | |
| LIN 5290 | Phonology | 3 |
| LIN 5300 | Syntax | 3 |
| Required Language Use Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Language and Culture | ||
| Arabic Sociolinguistics | ||
| Language and Societies | ||
| Sociolinguistics | ||
| Culture, Language and Cognition | ||
| Topics in Language (Field Methods) 1 | ||
| Topics in Language (Pidgins and Creoles) 1 | ||
| Topics in Language (Pragmatics) 1 | ||
| Topics in Language (Language Variation) 1 | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select 18 credits from the categories listed below, in consultation with advisor | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Elective Option Areas
A. Linguistics and a Language
The student may complete up to nine credits in advanced language skills or in the linguistics of a chosen language, as part of their electives. Courses must be selected in consultation with the advisor.
B. Language Structure
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LIN 1850 | Introductory Symbolic Logic | 3 |
| or LIN 1860 | Honors Introductory Symbolic Logic | |
| LIN 2730 | Languages of the World | 3 |
| LIN 3080 | Cognitive Psychology: Fundamental Processes | 3 |
| LIN 5050 | Advanced Symbolic Logic | 4 |
| LIN 5200 | Modal Logic | 4 |
| LIN 5220 | Introduction to Chinese Linguistics | 3 |
| LIN 5230 | Structure of Arabic | 3 |
| LIN 5240 | Grammar of Chinese | 3 |
| LIN 5570 | Philosophy of Language | 4 |
| LIN 5715 | Morphology | 3 |
| LIN 5730 | English Grammar | 3 |
| LIN 5745 | Semantics | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Field Methods) 1 | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Typology) 1 | 3 |
| SPA 6400 | Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics | 3 |
C. Language Variation and Change
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHI 2000 | Chinese Phonetics | 1 |
| LIN 2730 | Languages of the World | 3 |
| LIN 3310 | Language and Culture | 3 |
| LIN 5100 | Languages of Asia | 3 |
| LIN 5220 | Introduction to Chinese Linguistics | 3 |
| LIN 5320 | Language and Societies | 3 |
| LIN 5715 | Morphology | 3 |
| LIN 5770 | Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Historical Linguistics) 1 | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (History of English) 1 | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Typology) 1 | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Language Variation) 1 | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Field Methods) 1 | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Pidgins and Creoles) 1 | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Language and Evolution) 1 | 3 |
| CLA 1230 | Word Origins: English Words from Greek and Latin | 3-4 |
| ITA 6400 | Languages of Italy | 3 |
D. Language Acquisition and Processing
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LIN 3080 | Cognitive Psychology: Fundamental Processes | 3 |
| LIN 3310 | Language and Culture | 3 |
| LIN 5080 | Phonetics | 3 |
| LIN 5360 | Child Language Acquisition | 3 |
| LIN 5750 | Theories of Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| LIN 5900 | Culture, Language and Cognition | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Language and Evolution) | 3 |
| PSY 2030 | Statistical Methods in Psychology | 4 |
| PSY 3120 | Brain and Behavior | 3 |
| SLP 5300 | Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology | 3 |
E. Sociolinguistics and Discourse/Pragmatics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LIN 2730 | Languages of the World | 3 |
| LIN 3310 | Language and Culture | 3 |
| LIN 5210 | Arabic Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| LIN 5320 | Language and Societies | 3 |
| LIN 5770 | Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| LIN 5900 | Culture, Language and Cognition | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Pragmatics) 1 | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Language Variation) 1 | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Language and Gender) 1 | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Historical Linguistics) 1 | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Pidgins and Creoles) 1 | 3 |
| LIN 6720 | Topics in Language (Language and Evolution) 1 | 3 |
| ANT 5210 | Anthropological Methods | 4 |
| PSY 2030 | Statistical Methods in Psychology | 4 |
- 1
A maximum 12 credits may be earned in LIN 6720 predicated on topic selection.
Linguistics Honors Program
Students with an overall grade point average of 3.5 are eligible for admission to the Linguistics Honors Program. Satisfactory completion of the Honors Program will lead to a degree "with Linguistics Honors" on the diploma. Students interested in the program should obtain detailed information from the Linguistics Program Undergraduate Advising Office.
Students must complete one 5000-level or above Honors Option course as part of the major requirements, the Linguistics Honors Thesis (LIN 5993-H with approved LIN Writing Intensive course), one Honors Seminar from the HON 42XX series, and three additional Honors credits through any department to thereby complete the minimum twelve required Honors credits.
'AGRADE’ Program (Accelerated Graduate Enrollment)
The Linguistics Program invites academically superior majors to apply for admission to the ‘AGRADE’ Program. ‘AGRADE’ procedures enable qualified seniors to enroll simultaneously in the undergraduate and graduate programs in Linguistics and to apply a maximum of sixteen credits toward both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.
Qualified students may apply for the AGRADE program no earlier than the semester in which ninety credits are completed. Applicants must have an overall grade point average of 3.5 and not less than a 3.6 grade point average in the major courses already completed.
For more details about the ‘AGRADE’ Program, contact the Linguistics Program office: 313-577-8642; or by e-mail at: linguistics@wayne.edu