Fields of Study
Linguistics
College of Arts and Sciences
- Offered as:
- Minor
- Specialization track
Overview
Linguistics is traditionally defined as the study of the nature and structure of human language. A student majoring in linguistics may expect a broad liberal education in literature, anthropology, mathematics, and philosophy around a core of language. The student will gain a substantial familiarity with several languages and types of linguistic structure and will become conversant with the formal theories of linguistic analysis and the historical study of language.
Linguistics is available as a minor through the English department or as a specialization option in the humanities degree program.
- Strengths of the program
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- Courses introduce you to several languages and types of linguistic structure, formal theories of linguistic analysis, and the historical study of language.
- Gain a broad liberal education in literature, anthropology, mathematics, and philosophy around a core of language.
- General studies is for students who have varied interests that cut across the usual departmental boundaries and wish to play a major role in deciding on a suitable curriculum of study.
- Requirements and core courses
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Core courses include:
- Speech, Thought, and Culture
- Descriptive Linguistics
- Special Problems in Anthropology
- Introduction to Syntax and Semantics
- History of the English Language
- Topics in Sociolinguistics and Psycholinguistics
- Special Problems in English
Suggested courses:
• 3-12 hours of math, computer science, or statistics electives, depending upon special emphasis
• 3-12 hours of philosophy electives, depending upon special emphasis (recommended: Elementary Logic, Advanced Logic, and Philosophy of Language)
• 6-18 hours of foreign language electives, depending upon special emphasis
• Other elective courses you may wish to take include Cognition and Memory, Psychology of Language, Development of Speech and Language in Childhood, Introduction to English as a Second Language, and Methods and Materials for Bilingual/ESL Education.
Note: See the WSU Catalog (http://www.catalog.wsu.edu/Pullman) for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.
- Scholarships and financial aid
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For students in linguistics
Students can apply for University-level scholarships and more than $50,000 in scholarships awarded by the College of Liberal Arts.
For all students
A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs. Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.
Students should complete the Washington State University general scholarship application and the FAFSA to ensure their eligibility for the widest range of scholarships and needed-based financial aid.
For information or to apply for financial aid and scholarships from WSU, see the Scholarships and Finances section of the WSU website.
- Careers in linguistics
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Linguists study a range of aspects of language, including the sounds used in human languages and how they are organized into systems in specific languages; the internal structure of words, sentences and discourses; how meaning is conveyed by language; how languages vary across groups; how languages change over time; how people use language to accomplish things; how language reflects and transmits social values and social structures.