a c a d e m i c p r o g r a m sCollege of Arts and Sciences - Curriculum Guide
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. A growing and exciting field, it has links to diverse fields including cognitive psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, computer science, artificial intelligence, sociology, language teaching, anthropology, and education. Linguistics is a key component of the emerging field of cognitive science, the study of the structure and functioning of human cognitive processes.
How do children learn to speak? How is language represented in the mind? What do all languages, including sign languages, have in common? How is language different from the communication systems used by whales, bees, and chimpanzees? What do we need to program into a computer in order to converse with it? How might we think about linguistic controversies, including debates about official languages, Ebonics, gender bias, and bilingualism in education? Linguistics attempts to answer each of these questions and covers a surprisingly broad range of topics related to language and communication.
The courses in the linguistics program come from seven departments (African-American Studies, American Sign Language, English, Modern Languages, Philosophy and Religion, Psychology, and Sociology/Anthropology). Each course is cross-listed under LIN and its other departmental prefix, and can be used interchangeably in the two areas. Many linguistics courses can be taken for credit in the honors program.
Linguistics offers a variety of co-ops, including positions at local companies involved in speech recognition and production, as well as in Northeastern's own speech perception and language processing labs. Linguistics majors can also participate in a special foreign internship opportunity, doing research at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in the Netherlands.
Students with backgrounds in linguistics have pursued advanced degrees in fields including law, cognitive science, education, English, interpreting, business, speech pathology, computer science, and linguistics itself. Other graduates have gone on to work in research, translation, special education, and robotics. See course descriptions for more information.
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Curriculum
LIN 1118, Introduction to Language and Linguistics 1; LIN 1215, Symbolic Logic (LIN/PHL 1200 and 1203, Introduction to Logic 1 and 2 may be substituted.); LIN 1218, Introduction to Language and Linguistics 2; LIN 1220, Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology; LIN 1262, Psychology of Language; LIN 1335, Language and Culture; and LIN 1401, Introduction to Syntax.
Second language requirement. Proficiency through Intermediate 2 level plus two advanced courses. The college language placement procedures determine proficiency in a second language.
Additional courses. Four from the following (and other related courses by permission): LIN 1119, History of the English Language; LIN 1231, African-American English; LIN 1235, Applied Linguistics; LIN 1236, Advanced Applied Linguistics; LIN 1240, Bilingualism; LIN 1245, History of the French Language; LIN 1250, Linguistics of American Sign Language; LIN 1255, History of the Spanish Language; LIN 1260, Introduction to Romance Linguistics; LIN 1263; Nonverbal Communication; LIN 1362, Child Language; LIN 1364, Cognition; LIN 1365, Language and the Brain; LIN 1366, Cognitive Development; LIN 1407, Semantics; LIN 1408, Topics in Linguistics; LIN 1415, African Languages; LIN 1440, Philosophy of Language; LIN 1499, Psychology of Reading; LIN 1564, Laboratory in Cognition; and LIN 1804, Directed Study.
Lab course. LIN 1562, Laboratory in Psycholinguistics.
Seminar courses. Two from the following: LIN 1661, Seminar in Psycholinguistics; LIN 1662, Seminar in Cognition; LIN 1692, Seminar in Linguistics, and LIN 1693, Seminar in Linguistics.
Experiential education practicum course (in fieldwork, interpreting, teaching, etc.). LIN 1888, Experiential Education Directed Study.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Minor Curriculum
A total of six courses is required. LIN 1118, Introduction to Language and Linguistics 1; and LIN 1218, Introduction to Language and Linguistics 2.
Plus one from the following: LIN 1220, Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology; LIN 1262, Psychology of Language; and LIN 1401, Introduction to Syntax.
Three courses, not already taken, from the following: LIN 1119, History of the English Language; LIN 1215, Symbolic Logic; LIN 1220, Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology; LIN 1231, African-American English; LIN 1235, Applied Linguistics; LIN 1236, Advanced Applied Linguistics; LIN 1240, Bilingualism; LIN 1245, History of the French Language; LIN 1250, Linguistics of American Sign Language; LIN 1255, History of the Spanish Language; LIN 1260, Introduction to Romance Linguistics; LIN 1262, Psychology of Language; LIN 1263, Nonverbal Communication; LIN 1335, Language and Culture; LIN 1362, Child Language; LIN 1364, Cognition; LIN 1365, Language and the Brain; LIN 1366, Cognitive Development; LIN 1401, Introduction to Syntax; LIN 1407, Semantics; LIN 1408, Topics in Linguistics; LIN 1415, African Languages; LIN 1440, Philosophy of Language; LIN 1499, Psychology of Reading; LIN 1562, Laboratory in Psycholinguistics; LIN 1564, Laboratory in Cognition; LIN 1661, Seminar in Psycholinguistics; LIN 1662, Seminar in Cognition; LIN 1692, Seminar in Linguistics; LIN 1693, Seminar in Linguistics; and LIN 1804, Directed Study.