Linguistics (General Linguistics, Linguistics & Languages)

College: Arts and Sciences
Degree: BA/BS
Specialized Admission: No

Description of Major

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

Linguistics is a comprehensive discipline that refers to the scientific study of language. Students in the linguistics program analyze and engage with the structure and evolution of human language through both formal (syntax, phonology) and applied (language acquisition, psycholinguistics and sociolinguistics) methodologies. The program includes a diverse range of courses, both in general linguistics and the linguistics of specific languages and language families.

This newly established program prepares students for in-demand careers in a variety of business sectors at national and international levels where an understanding of language structure and usage or programming is valuable. The curriculum leads to a B.A. degree by default, but students interested in pursuing more quantitative and advanced studies in graduate school may pursue a B.S.

Prerequisite Coursework

Six (6) to twelve (12) semester hours of an approved language or demonstration of proficiency by testing or completion of intermediate level is required.

It is recommended that the lower-level courses be taken during the freshman and sophomore years.

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Requirements

Requirements for graduation in the College of Arts and Sciences include:
The College of Arts and Sciences requires proficiency in a foreign language through the intermediate (2220 or equivalent) level or sign language through the advanced (2614 or equivalent) level.

Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major:
Students must complete at least 52 hours of credit with a minimum grade point average of 2.00, at least half the required General Education hours, including English composition and mathematics, or an A.A. Degree.

Major Programs of Studies at FSU: (30 hours)

The program requires 30 hours of coursework. After taking two mandatory introductory courses in the field of linguistics (6 credits), students will take one course in each of the following four core areas of linguistics (12 credits): Phonetics/phonology, syntax, psycholinguistics of bilingualism and sociolinguistics. The remaining 12 credits will come from elective courses in formal and/or applied linguistics, taught in English, or in another language (Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, or Spanish), with a few electives in other departments. The specific set of elective courses taken will allow the students to choose between two different majors in linguistics: General Linguistics, which consists of regular courses in linguistics; and Linguistics and Languages, which combines linguistics courses with additional language courses.

Core Linguistics courses:
LIN 3041 Introduction to Linguistics I
LIN 3042 Introduction to Linguistics II
LIN 4201 Sounds of the World’s Languages
LIN 4512 Introduction to Syntax
LIN 4623 Psycholinguistics of Bilingualism
LIN 4600 Sociolinguistics

General Linguistics Majors
General Linguistics majors must take four linguistics electives, of which at least one must be at the 4000 level.

Linguistics and Languages Majors
Linguistics and Languages majors must take two linguistic electives and complete two semesters of a language course beyond or different from the language courses used to satisfy the Arts and Sciences language requirement.

B.S. Degree:
At least two of the electives in year 3 and 4 must be from the following list:
LIN 4XXX Research Methods
LIN 4716 Child Language Acquisition
LIN 4XXX Second Language Acquisition
LIN 4XXX Programming for Linguists
LIN 4XXX Introduction to Computational Linguistics
LIN 4XXX Topics in Computational Linguistics
CGS 3465 Introduction to Programming using Python
MAC 2311 Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1
MAD 2104 Discrete Mathematics
STA 2122 Introduction to Applied Statistics (or equivalent)

B.A. Degree:
Students are recommended to take at least two electives from the list below:
ARA 4XXX Introduction to Arabic Linguistics
EXP 4640 Psychology of Language
LIN 3108 Introduction to East Asian Linguistics
LIN 4030 Introduction to Historical Linguistics
LIN 4040 Introduction to Descriptive Linguistics
LIN 4716 Child Language Acquisition
LIN 4XXX Second Language Acquisition
LIN 4XXX Research Methods
LIN 4XXX Introduction to Computational Linguistics
LIN 4XXX Topics in Computational Linguistics
LIN 4XXX Discourse and Pragmatics
LIN 4811 The Semiotics of Emojis
ITA 4930 Historical Romance Linguistics
LIN 4930r Topics in Linguistics
LIN 4905 Directed Individual Study
PHI 3220 Introduction to Philosophy of Language
RUS 4840 History of the Russian Literary Language
SPN 4700 Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
SPN 4701 Spanish Second Language Acquisition
SPN 4810 Bilingualism in the Spanish-speaking World
SPN 4840 History of the Spanish Language

Minor Requirements
Majors are required to complete 12-15 hours in an approved minor (more if required by minor department). If a second foreign language is selected as the minor, the 12-15 semester hours must be earned in language courses numbered above 1999. All courses must be taken for a letter grade, and a minimum of a C minus must be earned.

Digital Literacy: (3 hours)
CGS 2060 (3) Computer Fluency or CGS 2100 (3) Microcomputer Applications for Business/Economics will fulfill this requirement for the major.

Oral Communication Competency: (0-3 hours)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met with a University approved college-level course.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36
Major Coursework 30
Minor Coursework 12-15
Arts and Sciences Foreign Language requirement 0-12, depending on placement
Digital Literacy 3
Oral Competency 0-3
Electives to bring total hours to 120

Mapping

Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for these majors at www.academic- guide.fsu.edu/.

Remarks

1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. Students who plan to earn the B. A. degree must complete both a foreign language through the intermediate (2200 or equivalent) level and nine additional hours in the fields of history and humanities.

Employment Information

Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Elementary and middle school teacher, Postsecondary teacher (colleges, universities, professional schools), Interpreter, Translator, Intelligence Specialist, Diplomat, Travel Agent, International Flight Attendant, Foreign Travel Escort Officer, International Relations Specialist, Linguist in tech companies such as Google, Amazon and Duolingo, some companies in the service industry, and media and communication studies, Customs Official, Business Representative.

Representative Employers: School Boards, Travel Agencies, Airlines, Libraries, Museums, Colleges or Universities, Departments of Justice, State or Defense, United Nations, Publishers, ACTION, Peace Corps, International Business, CIA, FBI, USIA, AID, Social Service Agencies, State Governments, Tech companies such as Google, Amazon and Duolingo, some companies in the service industry, and media and communication studies.