Major in Linguistics

Learning Outcomes for the B.A. in Linguistics

The following are department goals for students receiving the B.A. in linguistics:

  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental architecture of language in the domains of phonetics and phonology, morphology and syntax, and semantics and pragmatics.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of the variety of structures by which diverse human languages realize this architecture.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of the social functions of language and the role of language as a cultural institution.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of language variation, including historical change and dialect variety.
  • Students will demonstrate skills in studying language structure and use.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of how people acquire first and second languages and the implications for language instruction and educational policy.
  • Students will demonstrate skill in critical evaluation of language research and policy.
  • Students will experience the opportunity to apply linguistics knowledge in a community setting.
  • Students will be able to identify applications of linguistics and related career opportunities such as education, translation and computational linguistics.
  • Students will demonstrate proficiency in English and in at least one other language.
  • Students will value life-long learning in the field of linguistics.