Linguists study one of the central aspects of being human: the ability to communicate through language. Language shapes and is used in our societies in fundamental and profound ways. Linguists systematically examine a range of questions that help build scientific knowledge and address practical matters in our societies relating to language. How linguists study human language is varied, from multiple theoretical perspectives to diverse research methods. While the traditional core includes investigating the sounds, structure, and semantics of human languages, linguistics also investigates how people acquire language and use language in context, how languages are processed in the brain, how languages can be documented and revitalized, and how computers can be trained to understand and use language. The diversity of the field of linguistics is appealing due to the ability to study deeply within one area or broadly across several.
Coursework for the Major
Students must earn minimum grades of C within two attempts in a minimum of 33 credits.
Required Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LIN 3010 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| LIN 3201 | The Sounds of Human Language | 3 |
| LIN 3460 | The Structure of Human Language | 3 |
| Select 15 credits from linguistics electives (3000/4000 level) | 15 | |
| Select 9 credits from approved electives from a combination of the following options: | 9 | |
Additional Linguistics electives at the 3000/4000-level | ||
Linguistics electives offered by other departments | ||
Language-related courses OR a two-semester sequence of a non-Romance or non-Germanic language 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 33 |
- 1
Up to 6 of the 9 credits may come from language-related courses OR a two-semester sequence of a non-Romance or non-Germanic language. (No more than six 6 language credits will apply to the major.)
Consult the undergraduate coordinator or program director for emphasis areas and electives. Courses must be completed at UF; if taken at another accredited university, they must be approved by the department.
Required Core Courses | 9 Credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LIN 3010 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| LIN 3201 | The Sounds of Human Language | 3 |
| LIN 3460 | The Structure of Human Language | 3 |
Linguistics Electives | 15-24 Credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LIN 3677 | World Englishes | 3 |
| LIN 3680 | Modern English Structure | 3 |
| LIN 4005 | Stats for Linguists | 3 |
| LIN 4071 | Intro to Corpus Linguistics | 3 |
| LIN 4124 | Historical Linguistics | 3 |
| LIN 4136 | Introduction to Data-driven Learning | 3 |
| LIN 4205 | Fundamentals of Phonetics | 3 |
| LIN 4320 | Introduction to Phonology | 3 |
| LIN 4400 | Introduction to Morphology | 3 |
| LIN 4500 | Introduction to Syntax | 3 |
| LIN 4600 | Survey of Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| LIN 4656 | Gender and Language | 3 |
| LIN 4701 | Psycholinguistics | 3 |
| LIN 4702C | Methods in Psycholinguistics | 3 |
| LIN 4721 | Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| LIN 4784 | Writing Systems | 3 |
| LIN 4790 | Brain and Language | 3 |
| LIN 4803 | Introduction to Semantics | 3 |
| LIN 4820 | Meaning and Use | 3 |
| LIN 4850 | Formal Semantics | 3 |
| LIN 4905 | Individual Study in Linguistics | 3 |
| LIN 4930 | Special Topics in Linguistics | 3-9 |
| LIN 4970 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| TSL 3360 | Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| TSL 3378 | Pronunciation for Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
Linguistics Electives Offered by Other Departments | Up to 9 Credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARA 4850 | Structure of Standard Arabic (LLC) | 3 |
| ARA 4822 | Arabic Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| ARA 4930 | Special Topics (LLC, with LIN approval) | 3 |
| COM 4706 | Language and Power | 3 |
| FRE 4780 | Introduction to French Phonetics and Phonology (LLC) | 3 |
| FRE 4822 | Sociolinguistics of French (LLC) | 3 |
| FRE 4850 | Introduction to the Structure of French (LLC) | 3 |
| GEW 4930 | Seminar in Germanic Languages and Literatures (LLC, with LIN approval) | 3 |
| HAT 3700 | Introduction to Haitian Creole Linguistics (LLC) | 3 |
| JPN 3730 | Language in Japanese Society (LLC) | 3 |
| JPN 4850 | Structure of Japanese (LLC) | 3 |
| RUS 4700 | Structure of the Russian Language (LLC) | 3 |
| SPN 4780 | The Spanish Sound System: Phonetics and Phonology (S and P) | 3 |
| SPN 4822 | Sociolinguistics of the Spanish-Speaking World (S and P) | 3 |
| SPN 4830 | Introduction to Spanish and Spanish American Dialectology (S and P) | 3 |
| SPN 4840 | Introduction to the History of the Spanish Language (S and P) | 3 |
| SPN 4850 | Introduction to Spanish Syntax (S and P) | 3 |
| SPN 4930 | Revolving Topics in Linguistics and Culture (S and P, with LIN approval) | 3 |
| SSA 3730 | Language in African Society (LLC) | 3 |
Language-Related or Foreign Language Courses
Up to 6 Credits May Apply to Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select up to 6 credits of one of the following: | 6 | |
| Language-Related Courses | ||
ANT 3620 | Language and Culture (ANT ) | |
DEP 3053 | Developmental Psychology (PSY) | |
DEP 4163 | Cognitive Development (PSY) | |
DEP 4930 | Revolving Topics in Developmental Psychology (Psychology of Language Development) (PSY) | |
EXP 3604 | Cognitive Psychology (PSY) | |
PHI 4220 | Philosophy of Language (PPY) | |
SPA 3011 | Speech Acoustics (SLHS) | |
SPA 3032 | Fundamentals of Hearing (SLHS) | |
SPA 4004 | Language Development (SLHS) | |
SPA 4104 | Neural Basis of Communication (SLHS) | |
SPC 3331 | Nonverbal Communication (W and O) | |
SPC 4425 | Small Group Communication (W and O) | |
SPC 4710 | Patterns of Intercultural Communication (W and O) | |
| OR | ||
| Foreign Language Courses | ||
A two-semester sequence of a non-Romance/non-Germanic language. 1 |
- 1
Students must complete two consecutive semesters of the same language for the courses to count towards the major. Appropriate languages include: Akan, American Sign Language, Amharic, Arabic, Czech, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Lingala, Polish, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, Vietnamese, Wolof, Xhosa, and Yoruba.
Combination Degree Program
Linguistics offers a combination-degree program that allows students to obtain a B.A. and an M.A. in five years.
Students enroll in four graduate courses in their senior year that count toward both the B.A. and M.A. degrees:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LIN 6084 | Introduction to Graduate Research | 3 |
| LIN 6323 | Phonology 1 | 3 |
| LIN 6402 | Morphology 1 | 3 |
| LIN 6501 | Syntax 1 | 3 |
Students need to apply by February 15 of the spring semester of their junior year.
- Combination Degrees
Course Details
Linguistics offers a variety of courses and students are free to pick any combination. Suggested specializations within the major include:
- Theoretical linguistics, covering the theory of sounds (phonology), word structure (morphology), sentences (syntax), and meaning (semantics):
Course List Code Title Credits LIN 4320 Introduction to Phonology 3 LIN 4400 Introduction to Morphology 3 LIN 4500 Introduction to Syntax 3 LIN 4803 Introduction to Semantics 3 LIN 4850 Formal Semantics 3 - Human language processing, dealing with how language is processed in the mind and brain:
Course List Code Title Credits LIN 4701 Psycholinguistics 3 LIN 4205 Fundamentals of Phonetics 3 LIN 4702C Methods in Psycholinguistics 3 LIN 4790 Brain and Language 3 - Sociolinguistics, dealing with how language works in society:
Course List Code Title Credits LIN 4600 Survey of Sociolinguistics 3 LIN 4656 Gender and Language 3
Overseas Studies
Some study abroad programs that offer linguistics courses are the University of Mannheim (Germany), University of Haifa (Israel), University of Madrid (Spain), and the University of Utrecht (The Netherlands). For more information and programs, contact the linguistics undergraduate advisor.
Relevant Minors and/or Certificates
Linguistics students may want to consider a minor or certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language.
More Info
Research
Students are encouraged to engage in individual study with a faculty member or to volunteer in a laboratory.
More Info