a r t s and s c i e n c e sLINGUISTICS
Arts & Sciences IndexJANET H. RANDALL, PHD
Associate Professor and Coordinator of Linguistics ProgramPROFESSORS
Dennis Cokely, PhD, American Sign Language
Harlan Lane, PhD, Doc. ès Lettres, Psychology
Joanne L. Miller, PhD, Psychology
Steven A. Sadow, PhD, Modern LanguagesASSOCIATE PROFESSORS
John N. Frampton, PhD, Mathematics
Samuel Gutmann, PhD, Mathematics
Michael R. Lipton, PhD, Philosophy and Religion
Neal Pearlmutter, PhD, PsychologyASSISTANT PROFESSOR
John D. Coley, PhD, PsychologyLECTURERS
Steven Cushing, PhD, Linguistics
Audra Dainora, PhD, Linguistics
Rachel Hayes, PhD, Linguistics
Heather Littlefield, MA, LinguisticsPROFESSOR EMERITUS
Irene R. Fairley, PhD, EnglishLinguistics 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 the Course Description Registry for course descriptions.
BA in Linguistics COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES BA CORE REQUIREMENTS See the Core Requirement list. LINGUISTICS MAJOR REQUIREMENTS Required Courses Complete the following seven courses: LIN U150 Introduction to Language and Linguistics 4 SH LIN U215 Symbolic Logic 4 SH or LIN U115 Introduction to Logic 4 SH LIN U350 Linguistic Analysis 4 SH LIN U412 Language and Culture 4 SH LIN U422 Phonology 4 SH LIN U450 Syntax 4 SH LIN U464 Psychology of Language 4 SH Linguistics Language Requirement
Complete two courses in any combination of foreign language (from the list “Approved Courses: Foreign Language” on page 42), language family, or language structure courses in addition to the BA core requirement.
Laboratory Complete one of the following: LIN U610 Laboratory in Psycholinguistics 4 SH or PSY U610 Laboratory in Psycholinguistics 4 SH Linguistics Electives Choose three courses from the following list: LIN U402 African-American English 4 SH LIN U428 African Languages 4 SH LIN U430 Applied Linguistics 4 SH LIN U432 Romance Linguistics 4 SH LIN U434 Bilingualism 4 SH LIN U436 Structure of Spanish 4 SH LIN U438 Structure of French 4 SH LIN U442 Sociolinguistics 4 SH LIN U444 Linguistics in Education 4 SH LIN U448 Issues in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U452 Semantics 4 SH LIN U454 History of English 4 SH LIN U458 Topics in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U460 ASL Linguistics 4 SH LIN U466 Cognition 4 SH LIN U520 Language and the Brain 4 SH LIN U524 Language and Cognitive Development 4 SH LIN U540 Philosophy of Language 4 SH LIN U612 Laboratory in Cognition 4 SH LIN U924 Directed Study 4 SH LIN U970 Junior/Senior Project 1 4 SH LIN U971 Junior/Senior Project 2 4 SH LINGUISTICS SEMINAR Complete one seminar from the following list: LIN U654 Seminar in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U656 Seminar in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U658 Seminar in Psycholinguistics 4 SH LIN U660 Seminar in Cognition 4 SH LIN U662 Seminar in Linguistics 4 SH EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT Complete the following course: LIN U954 Experiential Education Directed Study 4 SH LINGUISTICS MAJOR Complete 76 semester hours in the major. GENERAL ELECTIVES Additional courses taken beyond college and major course requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements. COOPERATIVE EDUCATION If elected UNIVERSITY-WIDE REQUIREMENTS 128 total semester hours required Minimum 2.000 GPA required BS in Linguistics COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES BS CORE REQUIREMENTS FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE MAJORS See the Core Requirement list. LINGUISTICS MAJOR REQUIREMENTS Required Courses Complete the following seven courses: LIN U150 Introduction to Language and Linguistics 4 SH LIN U215 Symbolic Logic 4 SH or LIN U115 Introduction to Logic 4 SH LIN U350 Linguistic Analysis 4 SH LIN U412 Language and Culture 4 SH LIN U422 Phonology 4 SH LIN U450 Syntax 4 SH LIN U464 Psychology of Language 4 SH Linguistics Language Requirement
Complete two courses in any combination of foreign language (from the list “Approved Courses: Foreign Language” in Core Requirements), language family, or language structure courses.
Laboratory Complete one of the following: LIN U610 Laboratory in Psycholinguistics 4 SH or PSY U610 Laboratory in Psycholinguistics 4 SH
Linguistics Electives Choose three courses from the following list: LIN U402 African-American English 4 SH LIN U428 African Languages 4 SH LIN U430 Applied Linguistics 4 SH LIN U432 Romance Linguistics 4 SH LIN U434 Bilingualism 4 SH LIN U436 Structure of Spanish 4 SH LIN U438 Structure of French 4 SH LIN U442 Sociolinguistics 4 SH LIN U444 Linguistics in Education 4 SH LIN U448 Issues in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U452 Semantics 4 SH LIN U454 History of English 4 SH LIN U458 Topics in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U460 ASL Linguistics 4 SH LIN U466 Cognition 4 SH LIN U520 Language and the Brain 4 SH LIN U524 Language and Cognitive Development 4 SH LIN U540 Philosophy of Language 4 SH LIN U612 Laboratory in Cognition 4 SH LIN U924 Directed Study 4 SH LIN U970 Junior/Senior Project 1 4 SH LIN U971 Junior/Senior Project 2 4 SH Linguistics Seminar Complete one seminar from the following list: LIN U654 Seminar in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U656 Seminar in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U658 Seminar in Psycholinguistics 4 SH LIN U660 Seminar in Cognition 4 SH LIN U662 Seminar in Linguistics 4 SH EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT Complete the following course: LIN U954 Experiential Education Directed Study 4 SH LINGUISTICS MAJOR Complete 76 semester hours in the major. GENERAL ELECTIVES Additional courses taken beyond college and major course requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements. COOPERATIVE EDUCATION If elected UNIVERSITY-WIDE REQUIREMENTS 128 total semester hours required Minimum 2.000 GPA required BA in Linguistics and English COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES BA CORE REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIED PROGRAMS See Core Requirements for more information. LINGUISTICS REQUIREMENTS
Introductory and Intermediate Linguistics Complete the following two courses: LIN U215 Symbolic Logic 4 SH or LIN U115 Introduction to Logic 4 SH LIN U350 Linguistic Analysis 4 SH Intermediate Linguistics Complete the following three courses: LIN U412 Language and Culture 4 SH LIN U422 Phonology 4 SH LIN U464 Psychology of Language 4 SH Integrative Courses Complete the following three courses: LIN U150 Introduction to Language and Linguistics 4 SH or ENG U150 Introduction to Language and Linguistics 4 SH LIN U450 Syntax 4 SH or ENG U450 Syntax 4 SH LIN U454 History of English 4 SH or ENG U454 History of English 4 SH Linguistics Elective Choose one course from the following list: LIN U402 African-American English 4 SH LIN U428 African Languages 4 SH LIN U430 Applied Linguistics 4 SH LIN U432 Romance Linguistics 4 SH LIN U434 Bilingualism 4 SH LIN U436 Structure of Spanish 4 SH LIN U438 Structure of French 4 SH LIN U442 Sociolinguistics 4 SH LIN U444 Linguistics in Education 4 SH LIN U448 Issues in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U452 Semantics 4 SH LIN U454 History of English 4 SH LIN U458 Topics in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U460 ASL Linguistics 4 SH LIN U540 Philosophy of Language 4 SH LIN U924 Directed Study 4 SH LIN U970 Junior/Senior Project 1 4 SH LIN U971 Junior/Senior Project 2 4 SH Linguistics Seminar Choose one seminar from the following list: LIN U654 Seminar in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U656 Seminar in Linguistics 4 SH Linguistics Language Requirement
Complete two courses in any combination of foreign language (from the list “Approved Courses: Foreign Language” on Core Requirement page), language family, or language structure courses in addition to the BA core requirement.
LANGUAGE FAMILY LIN U402 African-American English 4 SH LIN U428 African Languages 4 SH LANGUAGE STRUCTURE LIN U432 Romance Linguistics 4 SH LIN U436 Structure of Spanish 4 SH LIN U438 Structure of French 4 SH LIN U460 ASL Linguistics 4 SH ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS Literature Backgrounds Complete the following course: ENG U226 Backgrounds in English 4 SH and American Literature Literature Survey Courses Choose three courses from the following list: ENG U220 Survey of English Literature 1 4 SH ENG U221 Survey of English Literature 2 4 SH ENG U223 Survey of American Literature 1 4 SH ENG U224 Survey of American Literature 2 4 SH Shakespeare Complete one course from the following list: ENG U489 Shakespeare on Film 4 SH ENG U611 Shakespeare 4 SH ENG U612 Shakespeare’s Comedies 4 SH ENG U613 Shakespeare’s Tragedies 4 SH ENG U614 Topics in Shakespeare 4 SH Literature Before 1800 Complete one course from the following list: ENG U605 Medieval English Literature 4 SH ENG U606 Topics in Medieval Literature 4 SH ENG U610 Sixteenth-Century English Literature 4 SH ENG U619 Eighteenth-Century English Literature 4 SH ENG U620 Topics in Eighteenth-Century English 4 SH Literature ENG U661 Early American Literature 4 SH Literature After 1800 Complete one course from the following list: ENG U394 Modern Film 4 SH ENG U408 The Modern Bestseller 4 SH ENG U409 The Modern Novel 4 SH ENG U410 Modern Drama 4 SH ENG U411 The Modern Short Story 4 SH ENG U412 Contemporary Fiction 4 SH ENG U519 American Novels 1 4 SH ENG U520 American Novels 2 4 SH ENG U621 Romantic Poetry 4 SH ENG U624 Victorian Literature 4 SH ENG U625 Topics in Victorian Literature 4 SH ENG U626 Nineteenth-Century British Fiction 4 SH ENG U630 Major Twentieth-Century British Novelists 4 SH ENG U631 Twentieth-Century English Literature 4 SH ENG U663 Early African-American Literature 4 SH ENG U665 The American Renaissance 4 SH ENG U667 American Realism 4 SH
ENG U668 Modern American Literature 4 SH ENG U670 Modern African-American Literature 4 SH ENG U671 Multiethnic Literature of the U.S. 4 SH ENG U672 Asian-American Literature 4 SH ENG U673 U.S. Latino/Latina Literature 4 SH ENG U674 American Indian Literature 4 SH ENG U676 Contemporary American Literature 4 SH ENG U687 Modern Poetry 4 SH ENG U688 Contemporary Poetry 4 SH EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT Complete the following course: LIN U954 Experiential Education Directed Study 4 SH LINGUISTICS/ENGLISH DUAL MAJOR Complete 76 semester hours in the major. GENERAL ELECTIVES Additional courses taken beyond college and major course requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements. COOPERATIVE EDUCATION If elected UNIVERSITY-WIDE REQUIREMENTS 128 total semester hours required Minimum 2.000 GPA required BS in Linguistics and Psychology COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES BA CORE REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIED PROGRAMS See Core Requirements for more information. LINGUISTICS REQUIREMENTS Introductory Linguistics Complete the following two courses: LIN U150 Introduction to Language and Linguistics 4 SH LIN U215 Symbolic Logic 4 SH or LIN U115 Introduction to Logic 4 SH Intermediate Linguistics Complete the following four courses: LIN U350 Linguistic Analysis 4 SH LIN U412 Language and Culture 4 SH LIN U422 Phonology 4 SH LIN U450 Syntax 4 SH Linguistics Elective Choose one course from the following list: LIN U402 African-American English 4 SH LIN U428 African Languages 4 SH LIN U430 Applied Linguistics 4 SH LIN U432 Romance Linguistics 4 SH LIN U434 Bilingualism 4 SH LIN U436 Structure of Spanish 4 SH LIN U438 Structure of French 4 SH LIN U442 Sociolinguistics 4 SH LIN U444 Linguistics in Education 4 SH LIN U448 Issues in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U452 Semantics 4 SH LIN U454 History of English 4 SH LIN U458 Topics in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U460 ASL Linguistics 4 SH LIN U540 Philosophy of Language 4 SH LIN U654 Seminar in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U656 Seminar in Linguistics 4 SH LIN U924 Directed Study 4 SH LIN U970 Junior/Senior Project 1 4 SH LIN U971 Junior/Senior Project 2 4 SH Linguistics Language Requirement
Complete two courses in one foreign language (from the list “Approved Courses: Foreign Language” on Core Requirements page) with a grade of C or better. Also complete two additional courses in any combination of foreign language (from the list “Approved Courses: Foreign Language” on Core Requirements page), language family, or language structure courses.
LANGUAGE FAMILY LIN U402 African-American English 4 SH LIN U428 African Languages 4 SH LANGUAGE STRUCTURE LIN U432 Romance Linguistics 4 SH LIN U436 Structure of Spanish 4 SH LIN U438 Structure of French 4 SH LIN U460 ASL Linguistics 4 SH PSYCHOLOGY REQUIREMENTS Introductory and Intermediate Psychology Complete the following two courses with corresponding labs: PSY U101 Foundations of Psychology 4 SH PSY U320 Statistics in Psychological Research 5 SH Intermediate Psychology Complete the following three courses: PSY U402 Social Psychology 4 SH PSY U466 Cognition 4 SH PSY U612 Laboratory in Cognition 4 SH Psychology Elective Choose two courses from the following list: PSY U356 Nonverbal Communication 4 SH PSY U404 Developmental Psychology 4 SH PSY U450 Learning and Motivation 4 SH PSY U452 Introduction to Sensation and Perception 4 SH PSY U458 Psychobiology 4 SH PSY U520 Language and the Brain 4 SH PSY U522 Psychology of Reading 4 SH PSY U524 Language and Cognitive Development 4 SH PSY U526 Categorization and Reasoning 4 SH PSY U924 Directed Study 4 SH Psychology Seminar Choose one seminar from the following list: PSY U658 Seminar in Psycholinguistics 4 SH PSY U660 Seminar in Cognition 4 SH
Integrative Courses Complete the following two courses: LIN U464 Psychology of Language 4 SH or PSY U464 Psychology of Language 4 SH LIN U610 Laboratory in Psycholinguistics 4 SH or PSY U610 Laboratory in Psycholinguistics 4 SH EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT Complete the following course: LIN U954 Experiential Education Directed Study 4 SH LINGUISTICS AND PSYCHOLOGY DUAL MAJOR Complete 76 semester hours in the major. GENERAL ELECTIVES Additional courses taken beyond college and major course requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements. COOPERATIVE EDUCATION If elected UNIVERSITY-WIDE REQUIREMENTS 128 total semester hours required Minimum 2.000 GPA required Minor in Linguistics REQUIRED COURSES Complete the following course: LIN U150 Introduction to Language and Linguistics 4 SH Choose two from the following: LIN U350 Linguistic Analysis 4 SH LIN U422 Phonology 4 SH LIN U450 Syntax 4 SH ELECTIVE COURSES Choose two courses from the Department of Linguistics (or any of its cross-listed equivalents) in the 200–699 range, except that the following courses (and their cross-listed equivalents) may not be used: LIN U215 Symbolic Logic 4 SH LIN U466 Cognition 4 SH LIN U612 Laboratory in Cognition 4 SH LIN U660 Seminar in Cognition 4 SH GPA REQUIREMENTS 2.000 GPA required in the minor For more information on the linguistics minor, contact the program director, Professor Janet Randall (565 Holmes), at 617.373.3678 or at j.randall@neu.edu.
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