The Major in Linguistics
Language is a ubiquitous and essential part of human life and human culture, so much so that it is impossible to imagine how most of what we do could be done without it.
That being so, understanding what language is, how it works, and how we do the things that we do with it, is clearly a goal worth pursuing. That is what linguistics is about.
Program Learning Objectives
- To describe linguistic forms and meanings using appropriate concepts and vocabulary
- To summarize and assess arguments for linguistic analyses presented in the primary linguistics literature
- To construct and to communicate data-driven arguments in support of novel analyses of linguistic forms and meanings
- To describe and explain the cultural and social aspects of linguistic behavior, including the mechanisms and significance of language diversity, variation and change
The Linguistics Major at CMU:
- provides a strong foundation in the core areas of formal linguistics: phonetics/phonology, syntax, and semantics/pragmatics
- develops analytical skills which transfer to other domains
- allows students to explore the connections between formal linguistics and related areas, including philosophy, cognitive science, language technologies, and applied linguistics
- provides opportunities for undergraduate research through the Research Assistantship in Linguistics course, as well as through these university programs
You can learn more about the curriculum and major requirements in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Linguistics is also offered as a minor, requiring only six courses.
Please contact us for more information! We are always happy to talk.