Department of Linguistics
Degree Program
- BA with a Major in Linguistics (effective Fall 2025)
- BS in Computer Science and Linguistics
Minors
Chinese
CHIN 101. Elementary Chinese I. 4 hours.
Basic grammar; sentence patterns; vocabulary study; reading and writing with Chinese characters; simple oral practice. Course Information: This course is taught in a blended-online format. Extensive computer use required. A high-speed connection is strongly suggested. Credit is not given for CHIN 101 if the student has credit in CHIN 111. Prerequisite(s): Appropriate score on the department placement test.
CHIN 102. Elementary Chinese II. 4 hours.
Continuation of Chinese 101. Course Information: This course is taught in a blended-online format. Extensive computer use required. A high-speed connection is strongly suggested. Course Information: Credit is not given for CHIN 102 if the student already has credit in CHIN 111. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in CHIN 101; or appropriate score on the department placement test.
CHIN 103. Intermediate Chinese I. 4 hours.
Study of Mandarin Chinese language and culture. Intensive practice in speaking, listening, reading and writing at the intermediate level. Course Information: Credit is not given for CHIN 103 if the student already has credit in CHIN 112. This course is taught in a blended-online format. Extensive computer use and internet access are required. A high-speed internet connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in CHIN 102; or appropriate score on the department placement test or the equivalent AP or IB test score.
CHIN 104. Intermediate Chinese II. 4 hours.
Continuation of Chinese 103. Course Information: Credit is not given for CHIN 104 if the student already has credit in CHIN 112. This course is taught in a blended-online format. Extensive computer use and internet access are required. A high-speed internet connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in CHIN 103; or appropriate score on the department placement test or the equivalent AP or IB test score.
CHIN 196. Independent Study. 1-4 hours.
Individual study under faculty direction for qualified students with special interests and needs. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 8 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. Class Schedule Information: This course counts toward the limited number of independent study hours accepted toward the degree and the major.
CHIN 200. Advanced Communication in Chinese. 3 hours.
The study of Mandarin Chinese at the high intermediate to advanced level. Interpersonal, interpretative, and presentational modes of communication used in formal and informal communicative situations. Course Information: Not intended for students with native proficiency in Chinese; This course may be taught in a blended-online format. Extensive computer use is required. A high-speed connection is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in CHIN 104; or Grade of C or better in CHIN 112; or appropriate score on the department placement test or equivalent AP or IB Test score.
CHIN 209. Advanced Chinese Language and Culture. 3 hours.
Chinese culture as reflected in language, communication, daily life, and creative works. Intensive listening, speaking, reading and writing at the intermediate-advanced level. Course Information: Same as GLAS 209. Not intended for students with native proficiency in Chinese. This course may be taught in a blended-online format. See class schedule for specifics. Extensive computer and internet use is required. A high-speed connection is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in CHIN 104; or Grade of C or better in CHIN 112; or appropriate score on the department placement test or equivalent AP or IB Test score.
CHIN 296. Independent Study. 1-4 hours.
Individual study under faculty direction for qualified students at the intermediate level who have special interests and needs. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 8 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor. Class Schedule Information: This course counts toward the limited number of independent study hours accepted toward the degree and the major.
CHIN 300. Special Topics in Advanced Chinese Skills. 3 hours.
A content-based approach to developing advanced Chinese language skills. Students will develop real-world skills in Chinese and gain deep understanding of various aspects of Chinese culture, history and society. Course Information: May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours, if topics vary. This course may be taught in a blended-online format. Extensive computer use is required. A high-speed connection is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better or concurrent registration in CHIN 200 or Grade of C or better or concurrent registration in CHIN 209; or appropriate score on the department placement test; or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 330. A Linguistic Introduction to Chinese. 3 hours.
A linguistic introduction to Chinese including sounds/tones, words, and sentence patterns; regional and social dialects; evolution of writing system; language policies; language contact and change; Chinese L2 acquisition; Chinese language communities. Course Information: Same as LING 330. Taught in English. Extensive computer use required. The course may be offered in 15 weeks or 8 weeks. Class format varies by section. Check the class schedule for details. Online sections involve heavy computer usage; computer and internet access are required. Prerequisite(s): CHIN 101; or appropriate score on the department placement test; or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: LING 150.
Linguistics
LING 150. Introduction to the Study of Language. 3 hours.
The nature of human language, including analysis of structure and use in social context. Course Information: May be offered in a traditional, blended, or online remote format. Check the class schedule for specifics. For both the online and hybrid ("blended-online") formats, computer and internet access are required. A high-speed connection is strongly suggested. Individual and Society course.
LING 160. Language and Society. 3 hours.
Language and its social context: linguistic variation and diversity in the community involving bilingualism, language contact, dialects, style, class, gender, age, and change. Course Information: May be offered in a traditional, blended, or online remote format. Check the class schedule for specifics. For both the online and hybrid ("blended-online") formats, computer and internet access are required. A high-speed connection is strongly suggested. Recommended background: LING 150. Individual and Society course, and US Society course.
LING 170. Languages of the World. 3 hours.
A survey of the world's languages: their cultural origins, relationships, similarities, and differences. Individual and Society course, and World Cultures course.
LING 201. Medical Terminologies: Ancient Roots in Modern Medicine. 3 hours.
The structure and formation of technical terms used in the health sciences, based on roots and elements from Greek and Latin. Course Information: Same as CL 201.
LING 210. Introduction to Natural Language Syntax. 3 hours.
An introduction to concepts and methodologies for the syntactic analysis of natural language. Emphasis on recursive phrase structures, feature structures, and feature dependencies. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): LING 150; or consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: ENGL 200.
LING 220. Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology. 3 hours.
This introduction to concepts and methodologies for the phonetic and phonological analysis of natural language emphasizes the description and analysis of phonological patterns using feature specification and analysis of acoustic properties of speech. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. A high-speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): LING 150; or consent of the instructor.
LING 230. Semantics, Pragmatics, and Discourse. 3 hours.
An introduction to the core issues in semantics, pragmatics, and discourse studies. Emphasis is on lexical semantics, meaning as conceptualization, relation between pragmatics and semantics, and relation between pragmatics and discourse structuring. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): LING 150; or consent of the instructor.
LING 260. Language Acquisition, Language Contact and Bilingualism. 3 hours.
The social and psychological aspects of three major areas of language acquisition and use will be addressed: child language acquisition, adult second language acquisition and bilingualism/language contact. Course Information: May be offered in a traditional, blended, or online remote format. Check the class schedule for specifics. For both the online and hybrid ("blended-online") formats, computer and internet access are required. A high-speed connection is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 160. Recommended background: LING 150 or LING 160 or a similar course. Individual and Society course, and US Society course.
LING 270. Language in Healthcare. 3 hours.
Review and practice of research on linguistic and cultural factors in (mis)communication in healthcare settings. Course Information: Field work required. Fieldwork will take place during regularly scheduled class time (approximately 6 of 45 contact hours) and outside of class as homework assignments. Recommended background: LING 150 or LING 160.
LING 300. Seminar in Linguistic Analysis. 3 hours.
Special topics course introduces students to the current developments and tools in a specific area of linguistic analysis; provides students with in-depth understanding of the theoretical issues and methodologies in the topic area. Course Information: May be repeated if topics vary. Only 6 hours may be counted towards a major or minor in the Department of Linguistics. Students may register for more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): LING 150; or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: At least one of LING 210, LING 220, or LING 230.
LING 310. Language and Discrimination. 3 hours.
Analyzes how language is used to discriminate in education, policy, law, work, media, technology, and other fields using seminal texts, case studies, and authentic examples from global and local perspectives. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): LING 150. Recommended background: LING 160.
LING 320. Linguistics and Speech-Language Pathology. 3 hours.
Examines the intersections of linguistics and speech-language pathology throughout historical periods, in communication development throughout an individual's lifetime and current trends in both fields. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. The course may be offered in 8 or 15 weeks. Class format varies by section. Check the class schedule for details. Online sections involve heavy computer usage; computer and internet access are required. Prerequisite(s): LING 150 and LING 220; or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: Credit or concurrent registration in LING 160 or LING 260 or LING 300 or LING 310.
LING 330. A Linguistic Introduction to Chinese. 3 hours.
A linguistic introduction to Chinese including sounds/tones, words, and sentence patterns; regional and social dialects; evolution of writing system; language policies; language contact and change; Chinese L2 acquisition; Chinese language communities. Course Information: Same as CHIN 330. Taught in English. Extensive computer use required. The course may be offered in 15 weeks or 8 weeks. Class format varies by section. Check the class schedule for details. Online sections involve heavy computer usage; computer and internet access are required. Prerequisite(s): CHIN 101; or appropriate score on the department placement test; or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: LING 150.
LING 340. Vocabulary in Action: How do we learn, process, and use words as multilinguals? 3 hours.
Helps students understand multilingual vocabulary acquisition, processing and usage. Students will additionally learn how to use corpus research tools. Course Information: Taught in English. Extensive computer use required. Class format varies by section. Check the class schedule for details. Online sections involve heavy computer usage; computer and internet access are required. Prerequisite(s): LING 150; or consent of the instructor.
Recommended background: LING 260.
LING 350. Are Algorithms Biased. 3 hours.
Guides students to explore aspects of how human bias is reflected in algorithms that are increasingly used in daily interactions with a focus on biases in language technologies. Course information: Extensive computer use required. The course may be offered in 15-weeks or 8-weeks. The course may be offered online. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in LING 150; or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: LING 310.
LING 360. Basic Statistics for Language Research. 3 hours.
Introduction to basic statistical techniques and procedures for quantitative research in language science working with R under the RStudio environment. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Prerequisite(s): LING 150; or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: MATH 180; and Credit in at least one 200-level LING course.
LING 370. Introduction to Computational Linguistics. 3 hours.
Explores how computers process data for language research, specifically focusing on how to apply NLP techniques to language-data-related tasks using Python. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Prerequisite(s): LING 150; or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: Credit in at least one 200-level LING course.
LING 402. Trial Interaction. 3 or 4 hours.
Language use, culture, and law in the trial process. Analysis of qualitative methods applied to legal processes and change. Course Information: Same as CLJ 402. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 261 and CLJ 350; or consent of the instructor.
LING 405. Introduction to General Linguistics. 3 or 4 hours.
Linguistics, the scientific study of language as knowledge, structure, and use, involves Phonetics, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, and Pragmatics. Introduction to Linguistics explores these disciplines. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above; or consent of the instructor.
LING 406. History of European Standard Languages. 3 or 4 hours.
The phenomenon of the "standard language" in Western and Eastern Europe. Course Information: Same as CEES 406 and LCSL 406. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Taught in English. In cases where students speak languages other than English, they might receive tasks to research literature in that language (and on that language) and to present their research results. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above; and consent of the instructor.
LING 440. Language and Gender. 3 or 4 hours.
Examination of sociolinguistic research and theories on the interrelationships between language and gender, including gender categories in linguistic systems, gender differences in language use, interaction, and cross-cultural comparisons. Course Information: Same as GWS 440. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Previously listed as LING 540. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above; or consent of the instructor.
LING 459. Topics in Linguistics. 3 or 4 hours.
Topics vary. Course Information: Same as LCSL 459. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Only 6 hours may be counted towards a major or minor in the Department of Linguistics. Students may register for more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.
LING 480. Sociolinguistics. 3 or 4 hours.
The study of language structure and use involving socially-informed pragmatics, ethnography of communication, sociolinguistic variation and dialectology, and issues of bilingualism. Course Information: Same as ANTH 480. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): LING 405; and junior standing or above; or consent of the instructor.
LING 483. Methodology of Second Language Teaching. 3 or 4 hours.
Approaches, methods, and techniques for teaching second languages with a focus on speaking, listening, writing, reading, and on assessment and curriculum/syllabus design. Course Information: Same as LCSL 483. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above and consent of the instructor.
LING 487. Computer Assisted Language Learning. 3 or 4 hours.
An introduction to computer assisted language learning (CALL): the use of computer technology in second language reading and research. The effectiveness of CALL technology is assessed based on SLA theory and research studies. Course Information: Same as GER 487 and SPAN 487. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Taught in English. Extensive computer use required. Prerequisite(s): LING 483 or CIE 483 or GER 448 or FR 448 or SPAN 448 or GER 449 or FR 449 or SPAN 449; or SPAN 502 or FR 502 or the equivalent; and senior standing or above.
LING 496. Independent Study. 1-4 hours.
Students are assigned to this course at the discretion of the department. Independent study in an area of linguisitics not normally covered by regular course offerings. Course Information: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated. Students may register in more than one section per term. A maximum of 6 hours is allowed for undergraduate students, and 8 hours of credit for graduate students. Prerequisite(s): 9 hours of linguistics and approval of the head of the department. Class Schedule Information: This course counts toward the limited number of independent study hours accepted toward the undergraduate degree and the major.