Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
Linguistics B.A.Linguistics, Institute of
College of Liberal Arts
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Courses explore the principles governing the structure of natural languages, how languages are acquired by children and adults, the role of language in human cognition and social interaction, and how languages change over time.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 4 semester(s) of
any second language.
with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department
or college.
CLA BA degrees require 4 semesters or the equivalent of a second language.
CLA BA degrees require 18 upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits outside the major designator. These credits must be taken in designators different from the major designator and cannot include courses that are cross-listed with the major designator. The major designator for the Linguistics BA is LING.
Students may earn a BA or a minor in linguistics, but not both.
All incoming CLA freshmen must complete the First Year Experience course sequence.
Major Courses
Take 5 of the following courses for a total of 16 credits.
Introduction to Linguistics
LING 3001 - Introduction to Linguistics
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
or
LING 3001H - Honors: Introduction to Linguistics
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
or
LING 5001 - Introduction to Linguistics
(4.0 cr)
Syntax
Honors students may take LING 5201 in place of 4201.
LING 4201 - Syntax I
(3.0 cr)
or
LING 5201 - Syntactic Theory I
(3.0 cr)
Phonology
Honors students may take LING 5302 in place of 4302W.
LING 4302W - Phonology I
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
LING 5302 - Phonological Theory I
(3.0 cr)
Semantics
LING 5205 - Semantics
(3.0 cr)
Electives
Take 15 or more credit(s) from the following:
Lower-division LING
As many as 4 credits of LING 1xxx can count towards the Elective Requirement.
Take 0 - 4 credit(s) from the following:
·
LING 1701 - Language and Society
[DSJ]
(4.0 cr)
·
LING 1905 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 1912 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
Upper-division LING
Take 11 - 15 credit(s) from the following:
·
LING 3093 - Directed Studies for Honors Thesis
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 3101W - Languages of the World
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 4201 - Syntax I
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 4202 - Syntax II
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 4302W - Phonology I
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 4303 - Phonology II
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 5105 - Field Methods in Linguistics I
(4.0 cr)
·
LING 5106 - Field Methods in Linguistics II
(4.0 cr)
·
LING 5201 - Syntactic Theory I
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 5202 - Syntactic Theory II
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 5205 - Semantics
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 5206 - Linguistic Pragmatics
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 5302 - Phonological Theory I
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 5303 - Phonological Theory II
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 5461 - Conversation Analysis
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 5462 - Field Research in Spoken Language
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 5801 - Introduction to Computational Linguistics
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 5900 - Topics in Linguistics
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 5993 - Directed Study
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
LING 3001 - Introduction to Linguistics
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
or
LING 3001H - Honors: Introduction to Linguistics
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
or
LING 5001 - Introduction to Linguistics
(4.0 cr)
·
Related Coursework
As many as 6 credits from an allied discipline can count towards the Elective Requirement. This list is not exhaustive, courses not listed below must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies.
Take 0 - 6 credit(s) from the following:
·
ANTH 3005W - Language, Culture, and Power
[SOCS, DSJ, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
ANTH 4035 - Ethnographic Research Methods
(3.0 cr)
·
CHN 5120 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
·
CPSY 4345 - Language Development and Communication
(3.0 cr)
·
FREN 3500 - Linguistic Analysis of French
(3.0 cr)
·
FREN 3521 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
FREN 3531 {Inactive}
[GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
FREN 3541 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
GER 5711 - History of the German Language I
(3.0 cr)
·
GER 5712 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
LAT 5705 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 3231 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 4231 - Philosophy of Language
(3.0 cr)
·
PHIL 5201 - Symbolic Logic I
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 5202 - Symbolic Logic II
(4.0 cr)
·
PHIL 5211 - Modal Logic
(4.0 cr)
·
PSY 5054 - Psychology of Language
(3.0 cr)
·
SLHS 3303 - Language Acquisition and Science
(3.0 cr)
·
SLHS 3304 - Phonetics
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3701 - Structure of Spanish: Phonology and Phonetics
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3702 - Structure of Spanish: Morphology and Syntax
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3703 - Origins and History of Spanish and Portuguese
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3730 - Topics in Hispanic Linguistics
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 5701 - History of Ibero-Romance
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 5711 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 5714 - Theoretical Foundations of Spanish Syntax
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 5715 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 5930 - Topics in Ibero-Romance Linguistics
(3.0 cr)
Senior Project
Take 1 course for 3 credits. Students taking LING 4901W must complete the course with at least an S grade. Students seeking honors in Linguistics should take 3052V.
Major Project Seminar
The usual requirement for this course is the revision and expansion of a paper written for another linguistics course, but it may involve an original research paper. Students complete this paper in a seminar offered each spring semester. The topic should be approved by the course instructor before registration for the seminar.
LING 4901W - Capstone Seminar in Linguistics
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
Honors Thesis
Note: LING 3051H is a prerequisite for LING 3052V. LING 3051H counts towards the elective requirement.
LING 3052V - Honors: Thesis
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
ANTH 3005W - Language, Culture, and Power
[SOCS, DSJ, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
LING 3052V - Honors: Thesis
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 3101W - Languages of the World
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 4302W - Phonology I
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
LING 4901W - Capstone Seminar in Linguistics
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
|
|
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 3001/3001H/5001 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 3001/3001H/5001 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 3001/3001H/5001 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4201/Ling 5201 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4201/Ling 5201 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4302W/Ling 5302 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4302W/Ling 5302 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4202/Ling 5202 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4202/Ling 5202 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4303/Ling 5303 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4303/Ling 5303 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4201/Ling 5201 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4202/Ling 5202 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4302W/Ling 5302 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4303/Ling 5303 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 5105/Ling 8105 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4201/Ling 5201 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4202/Ling 5202 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4302W/Ling 5302 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4303/Ling 5303 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Comm 5461/Ling 5461 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Comm 5462/Ling 5462 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 10.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 3001/3001H/5001 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 3001/3001H/5001 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 3001/3001H/5001 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 3601/5601 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 3601/5601 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Prerequisites: | 3015 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phil 4231/Phil 5231 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3701/Tldo 3236/Venz 3705 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3702/3802 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 4302W/Ling 5302 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |