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Because the study of language is inherently interdisciplinary, a concentration in linguistics can be designed to integrate very well with other academic fields. A large proportion of current linguistics concentrators (more than half) complete double concentrations.
An LS&A double concentration requires satisfying all of the concentration requirements of both programs. However, since LS&A places no limit on the number of credit hours that may be offered jointly for both concentrations, this allows students to double-concentrate with substantially fewer than 60 total concentration credit hours.
Students considering a double concentration in linguistics and another field in LS&A should consult concentration advisors in both fields.
Honors Concentration
The Honors concentration in linguistics requires completion of the requirements for the concentration and, in addition, a senior honors project leading to an honors thesis. The thesis must be written under the supervision of a faculty member of the Department of Linguistics and with permission of a concentration advisor. Students may elect Linguistics 495 and 496 when writing the honors thesis (but are not required to do so).
Undergraduate Concentration in Linguistics
Exploring Linguistics
The concentration in linguistics is intended to provide an understanding of human language and its systematic study, as well as provide the opportunity to explore the importance of language in all areas of human life. Each year, over 1200 students enroll in the 100- and 200-level Linguistics courses alone. The Department of Linguistics awards an average of 30 bachelor degrees annually.
Pre-Concentration courses in Linguistics
The Department of Linguistics offers a series of pre-concentration courses designed to meet the needs of students with broad interests in language-related issues as well as those of students with more focused interests in the study of language. At the 100-level, the Department offers several first-year seminars, Languages of the World (Ling 112), and The World of Words (Ling 114). The 200-level courses, Introduction to Language (Ling 211), Introduction to Linguistic Analysis (Ling 210), and Introduction to the Symbolic Analysis of Language (Ling 212), introduce students to the methods of linguistic analysis. For detailed course descriptions, see the LS&A course listings.
Concentration Requirements
The linguistics concentration requires a total of 30 credit hours at the 300 level or higher. (Ling 210, 211, 212, or 411 is a prerequisite for a linguistics concentration, but does not count towards the concentration.) Students should consult with their advisor to ensure that their concentration program consists of a coherent set of courses. The interdisciplinary nature of the field of linguistics — and hence the interdisciplinary nature of the concentration program — makes it particularly important that students are aware of the options available to them.
Required Courses
All concentrators are required to take the following three courses. This coursework should be completed as soon as possible, as it is intended to ensure that all students gain a solid understanding of the nature of language and the methods currently employed in the study of language.
1. Ling 313 Sound Patterns
This course explores two fundamental aspects of the sounds of the world’s languages: speech sounds as physical entities (phonetics) and speech sounds as linguistic units (phonology).
2. Ling 315 Introduction to Syntax
This course examines the rule systems whereby words are organized into phrases and phrases into sentences in natural languages.
3. Ling 316 Aspects of Meaning
This course introduces students to aspects of semantic and pragmatic systems in natural language, including logic and formal systems, reference/co-reference, and text analysis.
In extraordinary circumstances, with permission of an advisor, an advanced course in the area of phonetics/phonology, semantics, or syntax could fulfill the Ling 313, 315, or 316 requirement, respectively.
Additional Courses
Beyond the three basic courses, concentrators are encouraged to fill out their program, in consultation with a linguistics concentration advisor, with courses that satisfy their own particular interests and goals. These courses may be offered by the Department of Linguistics or another program or department. Each term, the Linguistics Undergraduate Program distributes a list of courses offered by other units that are approved for concentration credit in Linguistics. Concentrators may request that courses not on this list also count towards the required credit hours; these requests must be approved by the Undergraduate Program.
Double Concentration
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Concentration Profiles
The Department of Linguistics offers one official sub-plan:
Applied Linguistics and Second Language Learning and Teaching
The study of second/foreign language acquisition is a major focus of applied linguistics. Coursework in this area addresses both practical and theoretical issues. Although much of the emphasis in these courses is on teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), the principles and practices studied apply to instruction in any non-native language. A sequence of coursework in this area is especially useful for students interested in teaching ESL, particularly in international settings.
Students will have opportunities to meet faculty members and observe language courses in the language departments and at the English Language Institute, a principal center of second language instructional research and curriculum development.
Students following this concentration profile who seek a certificate stating that the student has completed a sequence of courses in this concentration area are required to take Ling 350 and three other courses from the list below and/or others approved by a Linguistics advisor (in addition to the three core courses required of all concentrators). The certificate will be issued upon graduation.
*Note that this certificate is not legal certification in ESL for the public school.
- Ling 319 Academic Discourse
- Ling 350 Perspectives on Second Language Learning and Second Language Instruction
- Ling 351 Second Language Acquisition
- Ling 342 Perspectives on Bilingualism
- Ling 361 Studies in American Sign Language
- Ling 385 Experiential Practice
- Ling 429 Discourse Analysis and Language Teaching
- Ling 440 Language Learnability
- Ling 492 Topics in Applied Linguistics
- Ling 532 Issues in Bilingualism
Other areas of concentration may be persued informally. Here are a few examples.
Students who wish to explore the relation between language and human cognitive capabilities are encouraged to combine coursework in linguistics and psychology. This program is particularly recommended for students seeking a double concentration in these two units.
Students interested in combining linguistics with work in a particular language should take courses dealing with the history and structure of that language. Such a concentration assumes the ability to use the spoken and written language; courses that focus on learning the languages (generally 100- and 200-level) will not count as part of the concentration requirements in linguistics.
Students who are interested in how language is used within its social setting, and the relation between language variation and social structure, may combine linguistics courses with courses offered in anthropology or sociology. This program is effective as part of a double concentration in Linguistics and either of these two departments.
Students interested in learning about issues in natural language and computation may combine courses in linguistics, philosophy, and computer science. These students may also choose to pursue a double concentration in linguistics and either of these two fields.
Students interested in applying the methods of linguistic analysis to spoken English discourse and to written English texts can combine the study of linguistics with courses in historical or discourse analysis.
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Undergraduate Minor in Linguistics
An academic minor in Linguistics is not open to students with a concentration in the Department of Linguistics. Students wishing to pursue an academic minor in Linguistics must develop a specific plan for its completion in consultation with a faculty member of the Undergraduate Committee of the Department of Linguistics.
Prerequisites to the Academic Minor
Linguistics 210, 211, or 212 is a prerequisite for a linguistics academic minor.
Academic Minor Program
15 credits in Linguistics or in courses cross-listed with Linguistics, distributed as follows:
- Linguistics core: Two courses chosen from Ling 313, 315, or 316
- Linguistics electives: Nine credits in Linguistics, chosen in consultation with and approved by the academic minor advisor
Advising
The head of the Undergraduate Program in Linguistics for the 2004-2005 academic year is Sally Thomason (thomason@umich.edu).
Advising appointments can be made by contacting the Student Services Assistant, Kathy Pendleton, at the following links:
linguistics@umich.edu
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