Linguistics

Interdepartmental Major in Linguistics

A major in linguistics permits a student to explore both the independent and interdisciplinary aspects of human language. Courses focus on both historical and synchronic analysis, and cover several modern approaches to data. Students wishing to declare the major should have already completed or be currently enrolled in at least one course counting toward the program.

Requirements for Major

The major program consists of 30 credits. The following courses, yielding 12 credits, are required of all majors: LNGS 3250; a course in historical linguistics such as LNGS 3260 or ANTH 3480; a course in the structure of a language, which must be a linguistics course (e.g., SPAN 3200, LING 3400, ANTH 5401); and a course in theoretical linguistics, (e.g., ANTH 5410, ANTH 5420, PHIL 5450). The remaining credit hours are comprised of linguistics electives. A maximum of three credits of study of an ancient (e.g., Sanskrit, Old Icelandic) or a non-Indo-European (e.g., Japanese, American Sign Language) language may be counted toward the major. The program is chosen in consultation with the program director or a linguistics advisor in a related department.

Requirements for Minor

The minor is the same as the major with respect to required courses. Two elective courses are required in addition, for a total of 18 credits.

Distinguished Majors Program in Linguistics

Students with superior academic performance may apply to the Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) in which they write a thesis demonstrating original research. Requirements for admission to the DMP are:

1. an overall GPA of at least 3.400, and a GPA of at least 3.400 in the major. This GPA must be maintained throughout the fourth year in order for distinction to be awarded;
2. a thesis proposal, signed and approved by the faculty member in Linguistics who has primary responsibility for supervising the thesis, and by a second faculty member who is the second reader. The proposal must be submitted to the Program Director by April 15 if the student plans to graduate in May of the following year, and by December 15 if they plan to graduate in December of the following year.

After admission, DMP students enroll in LING 4998 in the first semester of the fourth year. In the second semester of the fourth year, students sign up for LING 4999. Only LING 4999 can be applied toward the 30 credits required for the major. The thesis may be based on empirical research conducted by the student or a critical review or theoretical analysis of existing findings in linguistics or a related field. Students must submit the first draft to their advisors by March 1, and the final draft by April 15.

Additional Information

For more information, contact Lise Dobrin, Director, Program in Linguistics, Department of Anthropology, P.O. Box 400120, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4120; (434) 924-7048; www.virginia.edu/linguistics.

Course Descriptions

The following courses are approved for the major. Refer to the appropriate department for course description.