Undergraduate Degrees

The Linguistics Department emphasizes the study of language both as an abstract system and in its psychological and social contexts. In addition to introductory linguistics and courses in linguistic analysis, students take courses in psycholinguistics (language acquisition and processing) and/or sociolinguistics (language and society). The undergraduate major in linguistics focuses on how the human mind structures, processes and acquires language as well as how similar communication goals are met by diverse means in the languages of the world. Students are encouraged to pursue combined majors in Linguistics/Philosophy, Linguistics/Psychology, Linguistics/Anthropology and Linguistics/Sociology, as well as double majors with computer science or a language. Please contact the department advisor for more information.

Department Major Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts

For the lower division, LING 210 is required. For the upper division, the following courses are required: LING 401ab, 402ab and 480; a course in psycholinguistics (LING 395, 396 or 408) or in sociolinguistics (LING 315 or 375); and in addition three upper division courses in linguistics or a related field to be chosen in consultation with the department advisor.

Linguistics Major with Honors

The linguistics major with honors requires the student to complete the requirements for the major with a GPA of 3.5 or above and to complete in addition LING 497x Honors Thesis with a grade of B or better. Intent to complete the linguistics major with honors should be registered with the undergraduate advisor no later than the second semester of the junior year.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts with a Combined Major in Linguistics and Philosophy

For the lower division, LING 210 is required. For the upper division the following courses are required: LING 401a and 402a; PHIL 350 and 465; three courses selected from LING 401b, 402b, 408 and 480; and three courses selected from PHIL 450, 460, 462 and 470.

Combined Major in Linguistics and Philosophy with Honors

The combined major in linguistics and philosophy with honors requires the student to complete the requirements for the major with a GPA of 3.5 or above and to complete in addition LING 497x Honors Thesis or PHIL 494 Senior Thesis with a grade of B or better. Intent to complete the major with honors should be registered with the undergraduate advisor no later than the second semester of the junior year.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts with a Combined Major in Linguistics and Psychology

For the lower division: LING 210, PSYC 100 and PSYC 274 are required. For the upper division the following courses are required: LING 401a and 402a; PSYC 314L or 318L; three courses selected from LING 395, 396, 401b, 402b, 480, 485, LING 408/PSYC 406; three additional courses selected from PSYC 301L, 326, 336L, 337L, 348, 424, 433, PSYC 406/LING 408.

Combined Major in Linguistics and Psychology with Honors

The combined major in linguistics and psychology with honors requires the student to complete the requirements for the major with a GPA of 3.5 or above and to complete in addition either LING 497x Honors Thesis or PSYC 380 Junior Honors Seminar and PSYC 480 Senior Honors Seminar, with a grade of B or better. Intent to complete the major with honors should be registered with the undergraduate advisor no later than the second semester of the junior year.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts with a Combined Major in Linguistics and Anthropology

For the lower division, LING 210 and ANTH 201 are required. For the upper division, the following courses are required: LING 401a, 402a and 380, and ANTH 410a and 440; LING 485 or ANTH 410b; two additional courses selected from LING 315, 375, 401b, 402b, 412, 480, 485; one or two additional courses selected from ANTH 320, 345, 355, 360, 370, 372, 375, 380, 385.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts with a Combined Major in Linguistics and Sociology

For the lower division: LING 210 is required. For the upper division, the following courses are required: LING 401a and 402a; SOCI 313 or 314; SOCI 320, 345 or 370; three courses selected from LING 315, 375, 401b, 402b, 412, 480, 485; two additional courses selected from SOCI 303, 320, 340, 342, 345, 360, 422, 425, 435, 475, 492.

Department Minor Requirements

Lower division: LING 210. Upper division: LING 401a and 402b, one course in psycholinguistics (LING 395, 396 or 408) or in sociolinguistics (LING 315 or 375), and one additional upper division course.

Next Section

Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
Joye Day
day@mizar.usc.edu