Linguistics

The Linguistics program at Rice University offers a comprehensive exploration of the scientific study of language, focusing on the structure, use, and cognition of human language. This interdisciplinary major combines insights from various fields such as psychology, anthropology, computer science, and philosophy to provide students with a robust understanding of how languages work, how they are learned, and how they evolve over time. Students will engage with core areas including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in analyzing linguistic data. The program emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and research methodologies, preparing graduates for diverse careers in academia, technology, education, professional communication, and language-related fields. Alongside coursework, students have opportunities to participate in research projects, internships, and language labs, fostering hands-on experience. The curriculum is designed to be flexible, allowing students to tailor their studies to specific interests such as sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, computational linguistics, or language acquisition. Faculty members are renowned experts dedicated to mentoring students and advancing linguistic research. With its vibrant academic community and proximity to Houston’s diverse linguistic landscape, Rice University’s Linguistics program offers an enriching environment for students passionate about understanding the intricacies of human language and exploring its role in culture and society. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to contribute to advancements in language technology, improve language education, and conduct impactful linguistic research across various sectors.

Students pursuing the BA degree with a major in Linguistics (LING) must complete:

• A minimum of 12 courses (36 credit hours) to satisfy major requirements.
• A minimum of 120 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
• A minimum of 9 courses (27 credit hours) at the 300-level or above.

Because human language is a multifaceted object of study, linguistics is, by its nature, an interdisciplinary field. The undergraduate major provides both an in-depth grounding in the field as well as cross-disciplinary breadth. Students interested in careers in medically-oriented fields or speech technology are encouraged to meet with the undergraduate advisor to discuss the course most appropriate to their future plans.

CORE REQUIREMENTS 
Students must complete a total of 8 courses (24 credit hours) as listed below to satisfy the Linguistics major's Core Requirements.

Core Courses 
Students must complete a total of 6 courses (18 credit hours) as listed below.

• LING/ANTH 200 Introduction to the Study of Language [ 3 credit hours ]  
• LING 300/ANTH 300 Linguistic Analysis [ 3 credit hours ] 
• LING 301/ANTH 301 Phonetics [ 3 credit hours ]  
• LING 304 Introduction to Syntax [ 3 credit hours ] 
      or LING 311/ANTH 323 Introduction to Phonology [ 3 credit hours ]  
• LING 305/ANTH 305 Historical Linguistics [ 3 credit hours ]
      or LING 315/PSYC 315 Introduction to Semantics [ 3 credit hours ]
      or LING 416 Language Universals and Typology [3 credit hours]  
• LING 415/SWGS 415 Sociolinguistics [ 3 credit hours ]
      or LING 405 Discourse [ 3 credit hours ]   

Language Requirement
Students must complete 2 courses (6 credit hours) in a foreign language at the 200-level or above or, for non-European languages, at the 100-level or above.

European Languages 
If students choose to complete the language requirement in European Languages, 2 courses (6 credit hours) must be completed at the 200-level or above from the following departmental course offerings:

• French (FREN)
• German (GERM)
• Greek (GREE)
• Italian (ITAL)
• Latin (LATI)
• Portuguese (PORT)
• Russian (RUSS)
• Spanish (SPAN)

Non-European Languages 
If students choose to complete the language requirement in the Non-European Languages, 2 courses (6 credit hours) must be completed at the 100-level or above from the following departmental course offerings: 

• Arabic (ARAB)
• Chinese (CHIN)
• Hebrew (HEBR)
• Hindi (HIND)
• Japanese (JAPA)
• Korean (KORE)
• Tibetan (TIBT)

ELECTIVES
To fulfill the remaining Linguistics major requirements, students must complete a total of 4 additional courses (12 credit hours) from departmental (LING) course offerings at the 300-level or above. Courses listed in the Core Requirements that were not applied toward the Core Requirements may be applied towards the Elective requirement. No more than one Independent Study course may be applied toward the Linguistics major requirements.

• The Coalition Application, or theCommon Application and Rice Writing Supplement, or the Universal College Application and the Rice Supplement
• $75 nonrefundable application fee orfee waiver
• Official high school transcript. Transcripts must be submitted by your high school and will not be accepted by fax or email.
• Official Test Scores: either the SAT and two Subject Tests related to your proposed area of study, or the ACT.
• School Report (counselor recommendation)
• One Teacher Evaluation (teacher recommendation)
• Midyear Report (to be submitted when senior midyear grades become available)
• The Rice International Student Financial Statement
• If English is not your first language or your language of instruction in school, you must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Scholarships

Rice University will offer need-based financial aid to a limited number of international undergraduate applicants entering Fall 2017. Citizens of foreign countries who apply under Early Decision or Regular Decision and request need-based aid will be reviewed as a separate group.

The Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics at Rice University offers students a comprehensive exploration of language structure, use, and evolution. The program provides a strong foundation in the core areas of linguistic theory, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Students have the opportunity to study different languages and delve into the comparison of linguistic systems, fostering a deep understanding of how languages function and vary across cultures.

Rice’s linguistics curriculum emphasizes both theoretical and applied aspects of the field. Students can engage in research projects, linguistic fieldwork, and data analysis, preparing them for careers in academia, technology, education, translation, and language policy. The program encourages interdisciplinary approaches, connecting linguistics with cognitive science, computer science, anthropology, and psychology.

The faculty members are active researchers who publish in prominent journals and contribute to advances in understanding language development, bilingualism, phonetics, and syntax. Students benefit from access to modern laboratories equipped for phonetic analysis and data collection. The program also offers courses on language and society, language acquisition, and computational linguistics, reflecting the dynamic and evolving nature of the discipline.

Rice University promotes a collaborative learning environment, with small class sizes encouraging personalized instruction and active student participation. The program includes opportunities for undergraduate research, internships, and participation in linguistic societies. Students are encouraged to attend conferences and workshops, and some may have the chance to publish their work.

The Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics at Rice prepares graduates for diverse career paths, including graduate studies, speech-language pathology, computational linguistics, language technology, and more. The program aims to develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and a nuanced understanding of human language, making its graduates well-equipped for further academic pursuits or professional endeavors in language-related fields.