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 will be accepted toward a Linguistics degree.

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 Credit Hours

Missouri Statute Requirement: 1-3 Credit Hours

Bachelor of Science Requirement: 6-8 Credit Hours

One additional Mathematics or Statistics course numbered above 190 or a Computer Science course; one additional science course OR one of the following:

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

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 Credit Hours

Intermediate proficiency in ONE foreign language

Part II: Major Requirements: 30 Credit Hours

LING 238 - Introduction to Linguistics Credits: 3 hours
LING 413 - Advanced Linguistics Credits: 3 hours
LING 498 - Linguistics Senior Seminar Credits: 4 hours
STAT 190 - Basic Statistics Credits: 3 hours

Elective Courses:

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

ENG 419 - Linguistics and Literary Criticism Credits: 3 hours
ENG 508 - Old English Credits: 4 hours
LING 319 - Linguistics of a Language or Language Family Credits: 3 hours May be selected for credit more than once under different topics.
LING 323 - English Grammars Credits: 3 hours
LING 324 - Topics in Sociolinguistics Credits: 3 hours May be selected for credit more than once under different topics.
LING 401 - Undergraduate Readings in Linguistics Credits: 1-4 hours May be selected for credit more than once under different topics.
LING 406 - Language and Learning Credits: 3 hours
LING 412 - Practicum: Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language Credits: 3 hours
LING 413 - Advanced Linguistics Credits: 3 hours May be selected for credit more than once under different topics.
LING 414 - Language and the Mind Credits: 3 hours
LING 417 - History of the English Language Credits: 3 hours
LING 451 - Internship for Linguistics Credits: 1-4 hours May be selected for credit more than once under different topics.
LING 452 - Internship Evaluation Credits: 1-3 hours
LING 510 - Studies in the English Language Credits: 4 hours May be selected for credit more than once under different topics.

Notes:

Up to two semesters of supplemental language courses may count toward the electives in the major, with committee approval. (Note: this option is intended to increase the student’s awareness of the diversity of language, especially less commonly taught and non-Indo-European languages; students with prior study of either a Romance or Germanic language may select neither a Romance nor Germanic language for major credit.)