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.

Requirements for the Major

Students must earn minimum grades of C within two attempts in a minimum of 33 credits.

Required Coursework

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Linguistics Core Courses		9
LIN 2011	Introduction to Linguistics
LIN 3201	The Sounds of Human Language
LIN 3460	The Structure of Human Language
Linguistics Major Electives		24
Linguistics electives (3000/4000 level)
Quest 3/Experiential Learning Academic Requirement 1
Approved electives from a combination of the following options (see lists below:)
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 2
Total Credits		33

¹

Students should enroll in an experience for 3 credit hours but may opt for 0-2 credit hours if needed, although the student effort during the semester will remain the equivalent of 3 credit hours. For students who complete a Quest 3/ELAR for 0-2 credits, they will need an additional Linguistics elective to earn the required 24 credits of Linguistics Major Electives. To fulfill the Quest 3/UF Experiential Learning Academic Requirement (Q3/ELAR), students will pursue experiential learning in the form of internships or co-ops, global engagement/study abroad, community/public service, undergraduate research, or design competitions. Students should consult with department faculty to learn more about opportunities available to Linguistics students.

²

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

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
LIN 2011	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

Course List

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 4760	Field Methods	3
LIN 4761C	Methods in Language Documentation	3
LIN 4770C	Introduction to Computational Linguistics	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

Course List

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
CHI 4850	Structure of Chinese	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

Course List

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 2730	Introduction to Intercultural Communication (W and O)	3
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, and Yoruba.

Combination Degree Program

Linguistics offers a combination-degree program that allows students to obtain a BA and an MA in five years.

Students enroll in four graduate courses in their senior year that count toward both the BA and MA degrees:

Course List

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.

Course Details

Linguistics offers a variety of courses and students are free to pick any combination.

Suggested Specializations

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

Language Acquisition and Teaching

Dealing with how people acquire a second language and how teachers can teach second languages.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
LIN 3680	Modern English Structure	3
LIN 4136	Introduction to Data-driven Learning	3
LIN 4721	Second Language Acquisition	3
TSL 3360	Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language	3
TSL 3378	Pronunciation for Teaching English as a Second Language	3

Corpus/Computational Linguistics

Dealing with how computers can be used to analyze language use.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
LIN 4071	Intro to Corpus Linguistics	3
LIN 4770C	Introduction to Computational Linguistics	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 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

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete 1 foreign language or linguistics course (LIN 2011 recommended) with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete 1 additional foreign language or linguistics course with a 2.75 critical-tracking GPA
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

• Complete LIN 2011 and maintain a 2.75 critical-tracking GPA
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

• Complete  LIN 3201 or LIN 3460
• Complete at least 3 of the remaining LIN 3000/4000 required courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 7

• Complete one of the following: LIN 3201 or LIN 3460
• Complete at least 3 LIN department electives or approved linguistics-related electives
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 8

• Complete all remaining LIN department electives, approved linguistics-related electives, and Quest 3/Experiential Learning Academic Requirement
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Students are expected to complete the Writing, Civic Literacy, summer enrollment, and Quest requirements while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S) as part of the CLAS Basic Distribution requirements. One of the two general education mathematics courses must be a pure math course.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences allows students additional flexibility in its Distribution Requirements. Students may count a maximum of 6 credits TOTAL from the CLAS Distribution course lists towards Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, or Biological and Physical Sciences, with no more than 3 credits of Humanities, 3 credits of Social and Behavioral Sciences, or 6 credits of Biological or Physical Sciences.

The full list of major-specific requirements for this major can be found on the Overview tab. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree requirements can be found on the College’s degree requirements page.

Approved Language Related Courses at the 3000 level or above may count towards the 3000 level or above electives outside of the major.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester One		Credits
CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement (Critical Tracking; non-Romance or non-Germanic recommended) 1		4-5
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement		3
State Core Gen Ed Mathematics, (with a math prefix)		3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences		3
	Credits	13-14
Semester Two
Quest 1		3
State Core Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences		3
CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement (Critical Tracking; non-Romance or non-Germanic recommended) 1		3-5
Electives		7
	Credits	16-18
Semester Three
LIN 2011	Introduction to Linguistics (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Humanities)	3
Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences (area not taken in semester two)		3
Natural Science Laboratory 2		1
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences		3
Elective (or non-Romance or non-Germanic CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement if 4-3-3 language option) 1		3
Elective		3
	Credits	16
Semester Four
Quest 2		3
Gen Ed Biological Sciences		3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement		3
Gen Ed Mathematics (PHI 2100 or STA 2023 recommended)		3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences		3
	Credits	15
Semester Five
LIN 3201 or LIN 3460	The Sounds of Human Language (Critical Tracking) or The Structure of Human Language	3
Quest 3/Experiential Learning Academic Requirement 3		3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)		9
	Credits	15
Semester Six
LIN 3201 or LIN 3460	The Sounds of Human Language (Critical Tracking) or The Structure of Human Language	3
Linguistics or linguistics-related course (Critical Tracking; 3000 level or above)		3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities		3
Gen Ed Physical Sciences		3
Elective (3000 level or above, not in major)		3
	Credits	15
Semester Seven
Linguistics Major elective (Critical Tracking; 3000 level or above)		3
Linguistics or Linguistics-related Major electives (Critical Tracking; 3000 level or above, 4000 level recommended)		6
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major)		6
	Credits	15
Semester Eight
Linguistics Major electives (Critical Tracking; 3000 level or above, 4000 level recommended)		9
Electives (or Gen Ed Humanities, if needed)		3
Elective		3
	Credits	15
	Total Credits	120

¹

CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement

²

Degree Requirements

³

Students should enroll in an experience for 3 credit hours but may opt for 0-2 credit hours if needed, although the student effort during the semester will remain the equivalent of 3 credit hours. Students who complete the Quest 3/ELAR requirement for 0-2 credits will need an additional Linguistics elective to earn the required 24 credits of Linguistics Major Electives.

---

The Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics provides students with the ability to analyze language structure and use on multiple levels and to apply knowledge, concepts and skills developed from previous research. The major emphasizes students' ability to analyze patterns in language in terms of the sound system (phonetics and phonology) and word and sentence structure (morphology and syntax), to present and justify these analyses and to apply linguistic knowledge and analytical skills to the study of language use, learning, teaching, processing, and change.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Achieve a minimum grade of C on the critical assignment from LIN 3201, graded according to department rubric.
• Achieve a minimum grade of C on critical assignments from LIN 3460, graded according to department rubric.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

1. Identify, describe and explain the concepts related to phonetics and phonology (sounds and sound systems).
2. Examine and explain the concepts related to morphology and syntax (word and sentence structures).

Critical Thinking

3. Analyze linguistic data by applying concepts and knowledge from phonetics and phonology.
4. Analyze linguistic data by applying concepts and knowledge from morphology and syntax.

Communication

5. Articulate research results clearly and effectively in an accepted style of presentation.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Academic Learning Compact 5

Courses	SLO 1	SLO 2	SLO 3	SLO 4	SLO 5
LIN 3010	I, R	I, R	I, R	I, R	I, R
LIN 3201	R, A		R, A		R, A
LIN 3460		R, A		R, A	R, A

Assessment Types

• Exams
• Language project

---