Linguistics

Linguistics investigates all aspects of spoken and written human language. It is especially concerned with the general principles of language structure, its use and acquisition, with the structure and history of particular languages and groups of languages, with the role of language in human experience, and with the techniques employed in analyzing and describing language. The concentration in Linguistics is intended to provide an understanding of human language and its systematic study, as well as provide the opportunity to explore the importance of language in all areas of human life.

The general field of linguistics includes several subfields. Phonetics and phonology are especially concerned with the sounds of speech. Phonetics emphasizes the physical characteristics of speech sounds, and phonology deals with the way in which speech sounds are organized in languages. Syntax examines the way in which smaller units of language, such as words, are organized into the complex structure of phrases and sentences. Semantics seeks to understand how the forms of language are used to express meaning. Historical and comparative linguistics is   concerned with the ways in which languages change through time, with the variations in language from place to place, and with the possible relationship among languages. Historical linguistics also includes the study of the history of specific languages and language groups, and the reconstruction of pre-historic languages.

In addition to these subfields of linguistics, several other sub-disciplines relate linguistics to other fields of study. Psycholinguistics treats language in its psychological aspects and is especially concerned with the ways in which cultural patterns and values relate to language structure, use, and change. Sociolinguistics deals with the interrelationship of language and society and with the covariation of language and social form. Computational linguistics is concerned with the utilization of computational techniques in the analysis of language.

Some areas in which the findings of linguistics have found application include: translation, the design and documentation of computer software, language and national policy, speech pathology and speech therapy, the development of writing systems for previously unwritten languages, the teaching of first language skills such as reading and writing, and the teaching of second languages.

The Linguistics major requires a total of 30 credits at the 300 level or higher, subject to the constraints below. 

A. Required Core Courses (12 credits). All majors are required to take the following four courses. The coursework in LING 313, 315, and 316 should be completed as soon as possible, to ensure that all students gain a solid understanding of Linguistics before electing further courses, especially 497.

1. LING 313 – Sound Patterns. This course explores two fundamental aspects of the sounds of the world’s languages: speech sounds as physical entities (phonetics) and speech sounds as linguistic units (phonology).
2. LING 315 – Introduction to Syntax. This course examines the rule systems whereby words are organized into phrases and phrases into sentences in natural languages.
3. LING 316 – Aspects of Meaning. This course introduces students to the study of meaning in language.
4. LING 497 – Capstone Seminar. This seminar brings previous coursework, particularly the other required courses, to bear on a specific topic that may vary by term.  LING 313, 315, and 316 are prerequisites for 497, but may be taken concurrently.

In extraordinary circumstances, with permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, an advanced course in the area of phonetics/phonology, semantics, or syntax could satisfy the LING 313, 315, or 316 requirement.

B. Electives (18 credits). Beyond the four core courses, majors are encouraged to fill out their program of 30 total credits, in consultation with a Linguistics advisor, using courses from the categories below.

1. Regular Linguistics Classroom Courses (at least 6 additional credits).  Majors must complete at least 18 total credits of traditional classroom courses offered by the Department of Linguistics.  (The core courses account for 12 of these 18 credits.)  Note that cross-listed courses count towards this category whether or not students enroll under the LING number, but meet-together courses only count when registered under the LING number.
2. Independent Study Courses (at most 6 credits).  At most 6 credits of independent study or independent reading courses may count towards the major.
3. Experiential Practice Courses (at most 6 credits).  At most 6 credits of experiential practice courses may count towards the major. (Note that this is calculated separately from the limit on independent studies; a student might theoretically take 6 credits of each.)
4. Cognate and Transfer Courses.  Subject to the limits above, approved cognate courses offered by another program or department and/or approved transfer credits from another institution may count towards the major.  Each term, the Linguistics Department posts a list of cognates on its website that are pre-approved for the major.  Students may also request that courses not on this list (including transfer credit) count towards the major; these requests must be individually approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Double Major

Because the study of language is quite often interdisciplinary, a major in Linguistics can be designed to integrate very well with other academic fields. As a result, it is very common for Linguistics majors to also major in a second field.  An LSA double major requires satisfying all of the requirements for the major of both programs.  However, neither LSA nor the Department of Linguistics imposes any limit on "double-counting" courses between majors, allowing students to double-major with substantially fewer than 60 total major credits.  (Check with an advisor in the second major, though, to confirm their policy on jointly counted courses.)

Honors Plan

The Honors major in Linguistics requires completion of the requirements for the major and, in addition, a senior Honors project leading to an Honors thesis. The thesis must be written under the supervision of a faculty member of the Department of Linguistics and with permission of a department advisor. Students may elect LING 495 and 496 when writing the Honors thesis (but are not required to do so).  Finally, LSA requires students in an Honors major to maintain a GPA of 3.4 or higher overall (not just in Linguistics).

1. You must apply via The Common Application, and submit the University of Michigan Questions. International students are not eligible for application fee waivers.
2. All undergraduate first-year applicants are required to submit test results from either the SAT with writing or the ACT with writing.
3. Submit the School Report.
4. Submit one Teacher Evaluation (academic teacher).
5. Submit a Counselor Recommendation (encouraged, but not required).
6. Submit your high school transcript. An official English translation is required to accompany the transcript if the transcript is not issued in English by the school. (Students who have already completed high school, including university transfer applicants, should be sure to have final high school transcript submitted showing the graduation date. Also provide a detailed explanation of any educational gaps.)
7. If you are a speaker of English as a second language, you will need to submit your MELAB, TOEFL, or IELTS scores.
8. Please note that international students on temporary visas are not eligible for financial aid, and should expect to pay the full cost of attendance. Scholarships are generally not available.   

Do not submit any extra documents unless specifically requested, as this may only delay your decision.