UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN 1999 - 2002	[ Previous Page | Table of Contents | Next Page ]

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, and 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, and how children acquire their first language
• Sociolinguistics: study of language use and socially controlled variation in form, conversation and narrative discourse, social trends reflected in language use, and political aspects of language use

Careers in linguistics include teaching English as a second language; computational linguistic research in industry and public agencies; museum-supported research; research and teaching at the university level; and governmental consulting on language policies. Most careers in linguistics require graduate training.

Many 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 (1950) 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 http://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 foreign 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 QPA in linguistics courses.
  • No more than six credits may be taken on the S/N basis.
  • Credit by examination is not available.
  • Courses for the W-requirement and for the CAS required 12-credit related area are chosen in consultation with the departmental advisor. Besides language and foreign 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 through 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 three 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.)

UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN 1999 - 2002	[ Previous Page | Table of Contents | Next Page ]