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Brandeis University
415 South Street
Mailstop 013
Waltham, MA 02454
ph 781.736.2710
fax 781.736.2741

Program Requirements

Courses of Study:

Objectives

The major and minor in language and linguistics is designed to offer students multiple perspectives on the study of language: as a universal cognitive faculty, as an interactive mechanism for human development and for constructing social identities, as a spoken and written medium for cultural expression, and as an object and means of philosophical reflection. All these perspectives require training in the formal properties of language, including phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics. Courses on "generative grammar" attempt to describe formally the nature of a speaker’s knowledge of his or her native language and to place this knowledge in a psychological and biological framework. Other courses in the program explore the role of the study of language in many scientific, social, and humanistic disciplines, such as cognitive science and artificial intelligence, historical philology and epigraphy, literary theory, neuroscience, philosophy of language and logic, psychology, semiotic and linguistic anthropology, and sociolinguistics.

How to Become a Major or Minor

In order to get a flavor of the field of linguistics, the best way to start is to take LING 100a (Introduction to Linguistics), which deals with the major concepts of the field and the technical tools used to articulate these concepts. The course also introduces students to the feel of doing research on language, through the use of numerous problem sets concerning the organization of a variety of languages.

Students wishing to major or minor in language and linguistics should arrange to meet with the undergraduate advising head to discuss the planning of a program that meets their interests.

Requirements for the Major

• A. Nine courses are required of all candidates:
1. LING 100a, LING 110a, Ling 120b, and either LING 130a or LING 140b.
2. Four additional courses from the LING courses and the elective courses listed below. A student may count no more than three elective courses from another single department toward the fulfillment of the major in Language and Linguistics.
3. One advanced course in a natural language approved by the advisor.
4. B. Honors will be awarded on successful completion of a senior thesis (LING 99d) in addition to the above course requirements. A grade point average of 3.50 or above in language and linguistics courses is normally required.
5. C. A grade of C or better is necessary for all courses offered toward a major in linguistics. No courses offered toward the fulfillment of the requirements for the major may be taken on a pass/fail basis.
6. D. Students may petition the language and linguistics faculty committee for changes in the above program.

Requirements for the Minor

• Five semester courses are required:
1. LING 100a and 120b.
2. LING 110a, LING 130a or LING 140b.
3. Two other courses from the LING courses and the elective courses listed below. A student may count no more than one elective course from another single department toward the fulfillment of the minor in Language and Linguistics.
• No course offered toward the fulfillment of the requirements for the minor may be taken on a pass/fail basis.
• Students may petition the language and linguistics faculty committee for changes in the above program.

More detailed information on the required courses can be found here: http://www.brandeis.edu/registrar/catalog/one-subject.php?subject_id=4600