Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
MAJOR AND MINOR DESCRIPTIONS BY DEPARTMENT
LINGUISTICS
Linguistics is concerned with the study of language as a core property of human cognition and interaction. It is a broad field that straddles the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Major areas of study in linguistics include the following fields:
- Applied linguistics: second-language learning theory, literacy, bilingual education
- Computational linguistics: natural language generation, knowledge representation and artificial intelligence, recognition of systems
- Theoretical linguistics: development of psychologically plausible models of language sound systems, word structure, sentence and discourse structure, meaning
- Historical and comparative linguistics: study of language history, both language change and relationships among languages
- Descriptive-anthropological linguistics: documentation and analysis of languages, especially little-known languages through field work
- Psycholinguistics: research on such topics as sentence processing, problems in reading, how children acquire their first language (childhood language acquisition)
- Sociolinguistics: study of language use and socially controlled variation in form, conversation and narrative discourse, social trends reflected in language use, political aspects of language use
Careers in linguistics include teaching English as a second language and other languages including American Sign Language; computational linguistic research in industry and public agencies; field research on endangered languages and cultures; research and teaching at the university level; careers in publishing and advertising; speech pathology and rehabilitation; translation and interpreting; law; and governmental consulting on language policies. Most careers in linguistics require graduate training.
Many, but certainly not all, people come to linguistics through a love of languages. However, love of languages itself is not sufficient to ensure success and happiness as a linguistics major. The student must also enjoy analytical thought, as linguists employ analytical tools in the study of human languages. Students considering a major in linguistics should take the introductory linguistics course (LING 1950 Introduction to Linguistics) at their earliest opportunity to help gauge if the major is right for them. The linguistics major gives students a solid foundation in the central areas of linguistic theory and analysis. The structure of human language (its sounds, word structures, and syntax) is the focus of the linguistics courses required for the major. In addition, the major’s language requirement is designed to make sure students acquire a perspective on linguistic structures besides those of their native language and at least some exposure to one language that is structurally very unlike English. For more information on the major or the Department of Linguistics, see www.linguistics.pitt.edu.
Major Requirements
Students must complete at least 24 credits in the linguistics department including the following courses:
- LING 1950 Introduction to Linguistics
- LING 1682 Introduction to Semantic Theory or LING 1860 Introduction to Historical Linguistics
- LING 1773 Morphology
- LING 1777 Syntactic Theory
- LING 1578 Phonetics and Phonemics
- LING 1579 Phonology
A student may petition to have a given requirement waived if an equivalent course was completed elsewhere before registering as a departmental major.
Other requirements and rules for linguistics majors are as follows:
- Knowledge of any second language equivalent to one year of college-level study is required. The student’s knowledge of the language may be evaluated if first-year college-level courses are not taken.
- Majors must have at least a 2.00 GPA in linguistics courses.
- No more than 6 credits may be taken on the S/NC basis (formerly the S/N option).
- Credit by examination is not available.
- Courses for the W requirement and for the A&S-required 12-credit related area are chosen in consultation with the departmental advisor. Besides second language and literature departments, the most appropriate related areas are anthropology, communication, computer science, English, history and philosophy of science, psychology, philosophy, sociology, and theatre arts.
- LING 0080 Aspects of Language and LING 0101–0964 (uncommonly taught languages) do not count toward the major.
- Any student considering graduate work in linguistics, especially at the PhD level, should take French, German, or Russian. In addition to the language requirement described above, the student must take three more terms of language study (although in special cases, students may petition to have part of this requirement waived). At least 3 credits of this additional requirement must be taken in some language that is not Romance (including Latin), Germanic, Baltic, Slavic, or Greek, unless the language chosen to fulfill the language requirement above falls into this category.
Note: Courses offered by the English Language Institute for students who are learning or improving their English language skills do not count toward the linguistics major.
Minor in Linguistics
An minor in linguistics would be particularly useful for students majoring in English, second languages, philosophy, anthropology, psychology, sociology, communications, speech science, neuroscience, computer science, and information science, as well as for students with an interest in teaching English as a second language, going to law school, or otherwise choosing a profession in which language plays a crucial part.
Academic Requirements
The minor consists of 15 credits and comprises the following courses:
- LING 1950 Introduction to Linguistics
- LING 1578 Phonetics and Phonemics
- LING 1777 Syntactic Theory
- Two electives, chosen from the linguistics courses at the 1000 level (e.g., Phonology, Morphology, Historical Linguistics, Aspects of Sociolinguistics, Introduction to Applied Linguistics)