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Program of Study
The purpose of the B.A. program in
linguistics is to provide a solid, integrated introduction to the
scientific study of language through coursework in the core subdisciplines
of linguistics, as well as to ensure that the student has a language
background sufficient to provide a complement to the theoretical parts of
the program and for an understanding of the complexities of human language.
This program provides students with a general expertise in the field and
prepares them for productive advanced study in linguistics.
Students majoring in other fields of
study may also complete a minor in linguistics. Information follows the
description of the major.
Further information for undergraduates in linguistics concerning events and resources on and off campus, including links to information on employment opportunities for linguistics majors can be found on the handout from the undergraduate linguistics informational meeting.
Program Requirements
The B.A. in linguistics requires
thirteen courses. These courses fall into two categories: departmental
courses in linguistics, and language requirements. The following
departmental courses must be taken by all linguistics majors: (1)
Introduction to Linguistics (LING 20100-20200-20300 often
taken during the second year; and (2) four linguistics core courses: Syntax
I (LING 20400), Phonetics (LING 20600), Phonology I (LING 20800), and one
of either Pragmatics (20710) or Semantics I (LING 22050). The four core
courses are often divided between the third and fourth years.
The language requirement is designed to
ensure breadth of study in a non-Indo-European language. This requirement
can be met in four different ways: (1) registration in a three-quarter
course in a non-Indo-European language on campus; (2) examination credit in
a non-Indo-European language for which the University offers placement
examinations; (3) registration for an intensive one-quarter course in the
structure of a non-Indo-European language offered by a member of the
linguistics faculty (or by another faculty member upon approval by the
Undergraduate Adviser); (4) completion of an approved intensive language
program taken elsewhere for languages not offered or tested for at the
University of Chicago. Students who fulfill the language requirement with
fewer than three quarters must substitute elective courses offered in
linguistics for the language course quarters not taken.
The first three electives for the major
must be courses offered by the department. For any further electives, a
student may petition the department to substitute a related course in another
department. In no case can a total of fewer than thirteen quarters of study
fulfill the requirements for the B.A.
(Students who entered the University
prior to Autumn 2004 may choose to fulfill the requirements for the major
as stated here or the ones that were in place when they entered the
University.)
Summary of
Requirements
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Major
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3
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Ling
20100-20200-20300 (introductory courses
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4
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Ling 20400,
20600, 20800, and either 20710 or 22050 (core courses)
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0-3
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courses in a
non-Indo-European language*
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3-6
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linguistics
concentration electives, depending on how the language requirement is
satisfied**
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13
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*Credit may be granted by examination.
When the language requirement is met by examination, three electives in
linguistics must be substituted.
**At least three courses must be taken in the linguistics department. With
prior approval of the undergraduate adviser, up to three of the remaining
electives may be taken in other departments.
Honors. In order to receive the degree in linguistics
with honors, a student must write an honors essay. At the end of a
student_s third year, any student who has maintained a 3.0 or better
overall grade point average and a 3.5 or better grade point average in linguistics
courses may consult with the departmental undergraduate advisor about
submitting an honors essay. The honors essay must be submitted by the fifth
week of the quarter in which the student plans to graduate. For complete
guidelines on the honors essay, see the honors
essay requirements.
This program may accept a B.A. paper or
project used to satisfy the same requirement in another major with the
consent of both program chairs. Students should consult with the chairs by
the earliest B.A. proposal deadline (or by the end of their third year,
when neither program publishes a deadline). A consent form, to be signed by
both chairs, is available from the College adviser. It must be completed
and returned to the College adviser by the end of Autumn Quarter of the
student's year of graduation.
Grading. Students
majoring or minoring in linguistics take requirements for the program for
quality grades. With consent of the instructor, other students have the
option of taking linguistics courses on a Pass/Fail basis.
Minor Program in Linguistics
Students in other fields of study may
complete a minor in linguistics. The minor in linguistics requires a total
of seven courses: the three courses in the introductory sequence (LING
20100-20200-20300) and any four additional courses in lingusitics.
Students who elect the minor program in
Linguistics must meet with the Undergraduate adviser in linguistics before
the end of Spring Quarter of their third year to declare their intention to
complete the minor. The adviser’s approval for the minor program should be
submitted to a student’s College adviser by the deadline above on a form
obtained from the College adviser. Courses in the minor (1) may not be double counted with the
student’s major(s) or with other minors and (2) may not be counted toward
general education requirements. Courses in the minor must be taken for
quality grades, and more than half of the requirements for the minor must
be met by registering for courses bearing University of Chicago course
numbers.
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