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  • Linguistics

    Linguistics involves the study of language in many domains and from multiple perspectives. The core courses analyze speech sounds, words and the structure of language(s).

    About This Major

    • College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
    • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
    • Hours for the Degree: 120
    • Minors: Yes
    • Certificate Program: Yes
    • Combined-Degree Program: Yes
    • Website: www.lin.ufl.edu/major

    Overview

    The discipline also covers old and new languages, speech in ordinary conversation, the workplace and the classroom. Child acquisition of languages and adult acquisition of a second language are important topics. Linguists also study language in relation to gender, the brain and computers, and the interrelationship of languages and dialects.

    Linguists analyze and contribute to mass communication, they testify about language meaning and use in the courtroom, and they analyze natural language processing. Their expertise helps all people communicate more effectively -- patients and doctors, spouses and partners, students and teachers. Linguists also teach non-native speakers to speak, read, write and comprehend English and other languages.

    Coursework for the Major

    Students must earn minimum grades of C within two attempts in a minimum of 33 semester hours.

    Required Coursework

    • LIN 3010 Introduction to Linguistics
    • LIN 3201 Sounds of Human Language
    • LIN 3460 Structure of Human Language
    • Five or more 3000/4000-level linguistics courses (15-24 credits)
    • Linguistics electives offered by the program or by an outside department (0-9 credits)
      • Up to six credits may come from a list of related courses or a two-semester sequence of a non-Romance or non-Germanic language. If selecting a language, the student must complete two consecutive semesters of the same language for the courses to count toward the major. No more than 6 language credits will apply to the major.

    Consult the undergraduate coordinator or program director for emphasis areas and electives. Courses must be completed at UF; if taken at another accredited university, they must be approved by the department.

    Required Core Courses (9 credits)

    LIN 3010 Introduction to Linguistics
    LIN 3201 The Sounds of Human Language (prereq: LIN 3010)
    LIN 3460 The Structure of Human Language (prereq: LIN 3010)

    Choose Five or More (15-24 credits)

    LIN 3611 Languages and Dialects (prereq: LIN 3010)
    LIN 3680 Modern English Structure (prereq: LIN 3010)
    LIN 4033 Roots of English (prereq: LIN 3010)
    LIN 4205 Phonetics (prereqs: LIN 3010, 3201)
    LIN 4320 Phonology (prereqs: LIN 3010, 3201)
    LIN 4400 Morphology (prereqs: LIN 3010, 3460)
    LIN 4500 Syntax (prereqs: LIN 3010, 3460)
    LIN 4600 Sociolinguistics (prereq: LIN 3010)
    LIN 4605 World Englishes
    LIN 4656 Gender and Language (prereq: LIN 3010)
    LIN 4701 Psycholinguistics (prereqs: LIN 2000 or LIN 3010 or SPA 4004)
    LIN 4702C Methods in Psycholinguistics (prereqs: LIN 4701, STA 2023 or equivalent)
    LIN 4721 Second Language Acquisition (prereq: LIN 3010)
    LIN 4784 Writing Systems (prereq: LIN 3010)
    LIN 4790 Brain and Language (prereq: LIN 3010 or SPA 4004)
    LIN 4803 Semantics (prereq: LIN 3010)
    LIN 4850 Formal Semantics (prereq: LIN 4803, PHI 2100 or PHI 3130)
    LIN 4905 Individual Studies
    LIN 4930 Special Topics in Linguistics (prereq: LIN 3010)
    LIN 4970 Senior Thesis
    TSL 3360 Introduction to TESL
    TSL 3378 Pronunciation for TESL (prereq: LIN 3010)

    Electives - offered by the program or other departments (0-9 credits)

    ARA 4850 Structure of Standard Arabic (LLC, prereq LIN 3010 or ARA 1131)
    ARA 4930 Special topics in Arabic (LLC, with LIN approval) ​
    CHI 4850 Structure of Chinese (LLC)
    FRE 4780 Introduction to French Phonetics and Phonology (LLC)
    FRE 4822 Sociolinguistics of French (LLC)
    FRE 4850 Introduction to the Structure of French (LLC)
    GER 4850 The Structure and Stylistics of German (LLC, with LIN approval)
    GEW 4930 Seminar in Germanic Languages and Literatures (LLC, with LIN approval)
    HAT 3700 Introduction to Haitian Creole Linguistics (LLC)
    JPN 3730 Language in Japanese Society (LLC)
    JPN 4850 Structure of Japanese (LLC)
    RUS 4700 Structure of the Russian Language (LLC)
    SPN 4780 Spanish Phonetics (S and P)
    SPN 4822 Sociolinguistics of the Spanish-Speaking World (S and P)
    SPN 4830 Introduction to Spanish and Spanish-American Dialectology (S and P)
    SPN 4840 Introduction to the History of the Spanish Language (S and P)
    SPN 4850 Structure of Spanish (S and P)
    SPN 4930 Revolving Topics in Linguistics and Culture (S and P, with LIN approval)
    SSA 3730 Language in African Society (LLC)

    Related or Foreign Language Courses (6 credits may apply to electives)

    ANT 3620 Language and Culture (ANT)
    DEP 3053 Developmental Psychology (PSY)
    DEP 4163 Cognitive Development (PSY)
    DEP 4930 Psychology of Language Development (PSY)
    EXP 3604 Cognitive Psychology (PSY)
    PHI 4220 Philosophy of Language (PPY)
    SPA 3002 Survey of Communication Disorders (SLHS)
    SPA 3011 Speech Acoustics (SLHS)
    SPA 3032 Fundamentals of Hearing (SLHS)
    SPA 4004 Language Development (SLHS)
    SPA 4104 Neural Basis of Communication (SLHS)
    SPA 4402 Language Development and Disorders (SLHS)
    SPC 3331 Nonverbal Communication (W and O)
    SPC 4425 Small Group Communication (W and O)
    SPC 4710 Patterns of Intercultural Communication (W and O)
    Foreign Language
    A two-semester sequence of a non-Romance/non-Germanic language.
    Appropriate languages include: Akan, American Sign Language, Amharic, Arabic, Czech, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Lingala, Polish, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, Vietnamese, Wolof, Xhosa and Yoruba.
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    Combined Degree Program

    Linguistics offers a combined-degree program that allows students to obtain a BA and an MA in five years. Students enroll in four graduate courses in their senior year (LIN 6323, LIN 6501, LIN 6402 and LIN 6084) that count toward both the BA and MA degrees. Students need to apply by February 15 of the spring semester of their junior year. For more information, refer to www.lin.ufl.edu/major.

    Course Details

    Linguistics offers a variety of courses and students are free to pick any combination. Suggested specializations within the major include:

    • Theoretical linguistics, covering the theory of sounds (phonology), word structure (morphology), sentences (syntax) and meaning (semantics) -- LIN 4320, LIN 4400,
      LIN 4500, LIN 4803, LIN 4850
    • Human language processing, dealing with how language is processed in the mind and brain -- LIN 4701, LIN 4205, LIN 4702C, LIN 4790
    • Sociolinguistics, dealing with how language works in society -- LIN 3611, LIN 4600,
      LIN 4656.

    Overseas Studies

    Some study abroad programs that offer linguistics courses are the University of Mannheim (Germany), University of Haifa (Israel), University of Madrid (Spain), and the University of Utrecht (The Netherlands). For more information and programs, contact the linguistics undergraduate adviser.

    Relevant Minors and/or Certificates

    Linguistics students may want to consider a minor or certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language. More information is available on the department website.

    Research

    Students are encouraged to engage in individual study with a faculty member or to volunteer in a laboratory. For more information, refer to www.lin.ufl.edu/major

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    Critical Tracking

    To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.

    Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

    Semester 1

    • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5

    Semester 2

    • Maintain 2.0 UF GPA

    Semester 3

    • Complete 1 foreign language or linguistics course with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA

    Semester 4

    • Complete 1 additional foreign language or linguistics course with a 2.75 critical-tracking GPA

    Semester 5

    • Complete LIN 3010 and the foreign language sequence (if 4-3-3 option) with a 2.75 critical-tracking GPA

    Recommended Semester Plan

    Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).

    Semester 1 Credits
    Composition (GE-C, WR) 3
    Foreign language (non-Romance or non-Germanic recommended) 4-5
    ​​Mathematics (GE-M) ​3
    Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) 3
    Total 13-14
    Semester 2 Credits
    HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H)​ 3​
    Biological Science (GE-B) 3
    Electives 7-4
    Foreign language (non-Romance or non-Germanic recommended) 3-5
    Total 16-15
    Semester 3 Credits
    Electives (or non-Romance or non-Germanic foreign language if 4-3-3 option) 6
    Mathematics (PHI 2100 or 3130 recommended) (GE-M) 3
    Physical Science (GE-P) 3
    Science laboratory (GE-P or B) 1
    Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) 3
    Total 16
    Semester 4 Credits
    Biological Science (GE-B) 3
    Composition (GE-C, WR) 3
    Electives (LIN 3010, if possible) 6
    Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) 3
    Total 15
    Semester 5 Credits
    LIN 3010 Introduction to Linguistics (GE-H) 3
    Electives (3000 level outside of linguistics) 9
    Linguistics or linguistic-related course (3000 level) 3
    Total 15
    Semester 6 Credits
    Choose two:
    LIN 3201 Sounds of Human Language or
    LIN 3460 Structure of Human Language or
    Linguistics-related course (3000 level or above)
    6
    Elective (3000 level outside of linguistics) 3
    Humanities (GE-H) 3
    Physical Science (GE-P) 3
    Total 15
    Semester 7 Credits
    Electives (3000 level outside of linguistics) 6
    Linguistics course (3000 level or above) 3
    Linguistics courses (two at 4000 level) 6
    Total 15
    Semester 8 Credits
    Electives 6
    Linguistics courses (three at 4000 level) 9
    Total 15
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majors: linguistics