Linguistics (BS)

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Affiliation: School of Arts & Letters

THE MAJOR

Linguistics is the study of human language. Students in the BS Linguistics program analyze the structure of language, study the relationship between language and society, gain insights into language development and learning, explore language and the mind, and investigate language in the context of culture.

NOTE: No grade of “D” in major courses is accepted toward a Linguistics degree. An overall cumulative grade point average of 2.5 is required in the major.

DEPARTMENTAL HONORS IN LINGUISTICS

Seniors who wish to graduate with Honors in Linguistics must meet the following requirements. Students complete a senior capstone research project in conjunction with the senior seminar course. The capstone project is judged according to eight criteria:

Command of linguistic terminology;
Knowledge of linguistic theory;
Knowledge of previous scholarly work;
Scientific treatment of data;
Analysis of data;
Sensitivity to linguistic diversity;
Connection to other academic areas and real life endeavors; and
Command of academic discourse.

If the capstone project is deemed proficient in all outcomes and excellent in four or more, and if the student has at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA and a 3.70 GPA in the major at the time of graduation, s/he is awarded Departmental Honors in Linguistics. A student who has a 4.0 in the major can achieve Departmental Honors in Linguistics with three excellent and no inadequate scores.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

Liberal Studies Program Requirements: 31-57 Credits

Missouri Statute Requirement: 1-3 Credits

Bachelor of Science Requirement: 6-8 Credits

1.) One additional Mathematics or Statistics course numbered above 190 or a Computer Science course; 2.) one additional science course not used to satisfy the Liberal Studies Program modes requirement OR one of the following:

PHRE 342 - Symbolic Logic Credits: 3
PHRE 355 - Truth and Dialog Credits: 3
PHRE 370 - Epistemology Credits: 3
PHRE 383 - Philosophy of Language Credits: 3
PSYC 331 - Cognitive Psychology Credits: 3
PSYC 332 - Child Development Credits: 3

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:

The Linguistics major consists of two (2) parts: Required Support and Major Requirements. Each student must complete both parts.

Part I: Required Support: 0-6 Credits

Intermediate proficiency in ONE foreign language

Foreign Language

TWO semesters of foreign language(s) that are structurally dissimilar to English (including Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, American Sign Language, Russian, and Ancient Greek) (Note: these courses may be used towards language proficiency requirements or counted toward other majors or minors.) Credits: 6-8

Elective Courses:

Select from the following list, to total at least 30 credits in the major:

CML 308 - Principles of Second Language Teaching Credits: 3
ENG 332 - Old English Credits: 4
ENG 419 - Linguistics and Literary Criticism Credits: 4
LING 280 - Language and Learning Credits: 3
LING 315 - The Linguistics of Romance Languages Credits: 3
LING 319 - Linguistics of a Language or Language Family Credits: 3 May be selected for credit more than once under different topics.
LING 324 - Topics in Sociolinguistics Credits: 3 May be selected for credit more than once under different topics.
LING 325 - Language and Gender Credits: 3
LING 401 - Undergraduate Readings in Linguistics Credits: 1 to 4 May be selected for credit more than once under different topics.
LING 412 - Practicum: Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language Credits: 3
LING 413 - Advanced Linguistics Credits: 3
LING 414 - Language and the Mind Credits: 3
LING 417 - History of the English Language Credits: 3
LING 430 - Syntax Credits: 3
LING 431 - Morphology Credits: 3
LING 432 - Phonetics and Phonology Credits: 3
LING 433 - Semantics and Pragmatics Credits: 3
LING 451 - Internship for Linguistics Credits: 1 to 4 May be repeated for a total of eight credits.
LING 452 - Internship Evaluation Credits: 1 to 3 May be repeated for a total of three credits.
LING 510 - Studies in the English Language Credits: 4 May be selected for credit more than once under different topics.