Linguistics
Linguistics
courses
Linguistics department home page
Director of undergraduate studies: Raffaella Zanuttini, Rm. 209, 370 Temple St., 432-2452, raffaella.zanuttini@yale.edu
FACULTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS
Professors
Stephen Anderson (Chair), Carol Fowler (Adjunct), Robert Frank, Roberta Frank, Laurence Horn, Stanley Insler, Frank Keil, Rhea Paul, Zoltán Szabó, Raffaella Zanuttini
Associate Professors
Ann Biersteker (Adjunct), Darya Kavitskaya, Maria Piñango
Assistant Professors
Claire Bowern, Ashwini Deo, Gaja Jarosz, Jelena Krivokapic
Lecturers
Thomas Leu, Einar Mencl, Erich Round, Tamina Stephenson, Matthew Wolf
Linguistics is the scientific study of language. The major in Linguistics offers a program of studies leading toward an understanding of phonological, grammatical, and semantic structure and of various approaches to descriptive, experimental, and historical linguistics. It also includes course work leading to proficiency in one or two foreign languages. Majors may concentrate on theoretical, experimental, or computational linguistics, on various aspects of comparative grammar, or on a particular family of languages. Interested students should consult the director of undergraduate studies.
The prerequisite for the major is LING 110b or 117a with a grade of B+ or better. Fourteen additional term courses are required for the major, distributed as follows:
1. Breadth requirement (four courses). All majors must take introductory courses in the core areas of phonology (LING 132a) and syntax (LING 153a). In addition, at least one course must be taken in any two of the six remaining core areas: phonetics, morphology, semantics/pragmatics, computational linguistics, language and mind/brain, and historical linguistics.
2. Depth requirement (two courses). In one of the eight core areas (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics/pragmatics, computational linguistics, language and mind/brain, and historical linguistics), students must take two additional courses beyond the introductory course.
3. Language requirement (three courses). Three term courses (or the equivalent) in one or two foreign languages beyond the elementary level are required; courses designated L3 or higher are normally accepted. This requirement may be fulfilled in part in the freshman or sophomore years.
4. Electives (three courses). Three additional courses relating to linguistics are required. Electives may be selected from Linguistics courses or from approved courses with substantial linguistic content in other departments (including foreign language courses). With the approval of the director of undergraduate studies, one course bearing a less direct relation to linguistics from another program (e.g., Anthropology, Classics, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, English, Philosophy, or Psychology) may be applied to this requirement if it is relevant to the student's program.
5. Research requirement (two courses). Research Methods in Linguistics (LING 490a) and the Senior Essay (LING 491b) are required, and are usually taken in sequence during the senior year.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR
Prerequisites: LING 110b or 117a with appropriate grade
Number of courses: 14 term courses beyond prereq (incl senior req)
Specific courses required: LING 132a, 153a, 490a
Distribution of courses: 1 course in 2 of 6 specified core areas; 2 courses beyond intro level in 1 of 8 specified core areas; 3 language courses at level L3 or higher; 3 electives
Senior requirement: Senior essay (LING 491b)
