Linguistics Minor
Have you ever stopped to think about how language works? Maybe you’ve wondered why children pick up their native language so effortlessly when language courses are so challenging, or why nobody uses thee, thou and thine anymore. And where do grammar rules come from, anyway? With a minor in linguistics, you’ll be equipped to think critically about these and other questions in the study of language as you dive into this fascinating intersection of the humanities and the sciences.
The requirements for the minor involve 5 courses in linguistics. You’ll take a prerequisite course, LING 201, which introduces the various fields of study within linguistics. You’ll also choose two out of the four foundation courses, LING 210, 220, 230, and 240, which cover sounds of language, structure in language, meaning in language, and tools for linguistic research. The remaining two courses can be chosen from a wide variety of electives that explore questions like: Are there any universal patterns across all languages? How do we process language in the brain? What challenges are involved in programming computers to recognize speech?
How Do I Add a Linguistics Minor?
The Linguistics minor is open enrollment, meaning there is no limit on how many students can be in it, and there is no special application process. To add the minor, contact the advisement center of your major. You can find your advisement center’s contact information here.
Careers with a Linguistics Minor
The Linguistics minor is a good choice for students who plan to work in a language-related field—for example, Computer Science majors studying conversational AI or translation tools, History majors studying areas where language is a particular concern, and pre-law students with an interest in semantics and language analysis. It is also a great addition to a language major for students interested in the sounds, structure, semantics, and other formal elements of their language.
Faculty Advisors
If you have questions about the minor—whether you’re interested or already enrolled—feel free to schedule an appointment with your faculty advisor. Advisors are assigned based on the first letter of your last name:
