Information for Undergraduate Students
Linguistics at the University of Florida has links with Anthropology, English, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Education, Psychology, and foreign language departments teaching Akan, American Sign Language (SPA 1612-14), Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Japanese, Koren, Polish, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, Vietnamese, Wolof, Xhosa, and Yoruba. Linguists at the University of Florida investigate not only the structure of various languages, but how languages work in a variety of interpersonal and intercultural contexts. They are also interested in second language acquisition and language change. Linguistics at the University of Florida focuses on finding practical applications for theoretical issues. Teaching English as a Second Language is also a major interest.
For further information contact the undergraduate advisor, Dr. Edith Kaan.
- Linguistics Major (catalog year 2006 and forward)
- Linguistics Major (catalog year 2005 and earlier)
- Linguistics Minor
- TESOL Minor
- Honors Thesis
- Combined Degree
- Academic Learning Compact for Linguistics
Linguistics Major (catalog year 2005 and earlier)
Linguistics involves the study of language in many domains and from multiple perspectives. The core courses analyze sounds, words, and the structure of language(s). The discipline also covers old and new languages; speech in ordinary conversation, the workplace, and the classroom. Child acquisition of languages and adult acquisition of secondary language are important topics. Linguists also study language in relation to gender, culture, the brain, as well as the interrelationship of languages and dialects. Linguists analyze and contribute to mass communication, they testify about language meaning and use in the courtroom, and they analyze natural language processing. Their expertise helps people in all walks of life to communicate more effectively: patients and doctors, spouses and partners, students and teachers. Finally, linguists teach non-native speakers to speak, read, write, and comprehend English.
The Linguistics major consists of 33 semester hours distributed as detailed below. Students must maintain a 2.5 UF GPA on all critical tracking coursework in semester 3 and a 2.75 GPA in semesters 4 and 5 (2.5 for catalog year 2004 and earlier).
Required Courses: (18 hours - 6 classes):
Students that began year 2005 and prior must take all of the following:
- LIN 3010
Introduction to Linguistics
- LIN 3201
Sounds of Human Language (Prereq: LIN 3010) - LIN 3460
The Structure of Human Language (Prereq: LIN 3010)
Students must take three of the following:
- LIN 4033
Roots of English (Prereq: LIN 3010) - LIN 4205
Phonetics (Prereq: LIN 3010, 3201) - LIN 4320
Phonology (Prereq: LIN 3010, 3201) - LIN 4400
Morphology (Prereq: LIN 3010, 3460) - LIN 4500
Syntax (Prereq: LIN 3460) - LIN 4600
Sociolinguistics (Prereq: LIN 3010) - LIN 4656
Gender and Language (Prereq: LIN 3010) - LIN 4701
Psycholinguistics (Prereq: LIN 3010) - LIN 4702C
Methods of Psycholinguistics (Prereq: LIN 4701; STA 2023 or Instructor's permission)
- LIN 4721
Second Language Acquisition (Prereq: LIN 3010) - LIN 4784
Writing Systems - LIN 4790
Brain and Language (Prereq: LIN 3010 or SPA 4004) - LIN 4803
Semantics (Prereq: LIN 3010, 3460) - LIN 4850
Formal Semantics (Prereq: LIN 4803) - LIN 4930
Special Topics in Linguistics
Electives: Language Courses (9-15 hours - 3-5 classes)
- Linguistics Courses
- LIN 3611
Languages and Dialect (Prereq: LIN 3010) - LIN 3680
Modern English Structure - LIN 4127
Old English - 4000 level
LIN course listed above - LIN 4605
World Englishes - LIN 4905
Individual Studies - LIN 4970
Senior Thesis - TSL 3360
Introduction to TESL
- LIN 3611
- Language Courses from Other Departments:
- ARA 3840
History of the Arabic Language (LLC) - ARA 4820
Structure of an Arabic Dialect (LLC) - ARA 4850
Structure of Standard Arabic (LLC) - CHI 4850
Structure of Chinese (LLC) - ENG 4060
History of the English Language (English) - FRE 4780
Introduction of French Phonetics and Phonology (LLC) - FRE 4850
Introduction to the Structure of French (LLC) - GER 4450
German Phonetics and Pronunciation (LLC) - GER 4840
History of the German Language (LLC) - GER 4850
The Structure and Stylistics of German (LLC) - GER 4930
Seminar in Germanic Languages and Literatures (LLC) - GEW 4930
Seminar in Germanic Languages and Literatures (LLC) - HEB 3130
Biblical Hebrew (LLC) - JPN 4850
Structure of Japanese (LLC) - POR 4770
Portuguese Phonetics and Phonology (LLC) - POR 4840
History of Portuguese Language (LLC) - RUS 4700
Structure of Russian (LLC) - RUS 4840
History of the Russian Language (LLC) - SPN 4780
Spanish Phonetics (LLC) - SPN 4822
Introduction to Sociolinguistics of Spain and Spanish America (LLC) - SPN 4830
Introduction to Spanish and Spanish American Dialectology (RLL) - SPN 4840
Introduction to the History of the Spanish Language (LLC) -
SPN 4850
Structure of Spanish (LLC) -
SPN 4930
Special Topics in Spanish Language and Linguistics (LLC) (if about language) -
SSA 3730
Language in African Society (LLC) -
SSA 4750
Structure of an African Language (LLC) -
Linguistically Related Courses (0-6 hours; 0-2 courses)
-
ANT 3620
Language and Culture (Anthropology) -
DEP 3053
Developmental Psychology (PSY) -
DEP 4163
Cognitive Development (PSY) -
DEP 4930
Psychology of Language Development (PSY) -
EXP 3604
Cognitive Psychology (PSY) -
PHI 4220
Philosophy of Language (Philosophy) -
SPA 3002
Survey of Communication Disorders (CSD) -
SPA 3011
Speech Acoustics (CSD) -
SPA 3032
Fundamentals of Hearing (CSD) -
SPA 3101
Speech Anatomy and Physiology (CSD) -
SPA 4004
Language Developments (CSD) -
SPA 4104
Neural Basis of Communication (CSD) -
SPA 4402
Language Development and Disorders (CSD) -
SPC 3331
Nonverbal Communications (CSD) -
SPC 4301
Advanced Interpersonal Communication (Writing and Oral Communication) -
SPC 4441
Small Group Communication (CSD) -
SPC 4710
Patterns of Intercultural Communication (W&O) -
Or two semesters of one non-Romance and non-Germanic language, see under Foreign Language Recommendation
Foreign Language Recommendation
To help you develop your linguistics sense of how languages work, we suggest that you take two semesters of a non-Romance, non-Germanic language. This is especially important if you plan to continue your study of linguistics in graduate school.
The following are currently available at the University of Florida: Akan, American Sign Language (SPA 1612-14), Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, Vietnamese, Wolof, Xhosa, and Yoruba.
Honors
To graduate cum laude, a student must have 3.5 overall junior-/senior-level average. To graduate magna cum laude or summa cum laude, the student must have an overall junior-/senior-level 3.5 GPA and, in addition, submit a thesis, a research project or other creative work. Upon evaluation by the department or other responsible group, the student will be recommended for magna cum laude or summa cum laude recognition. One copy of the thesis and an abstract must be delivered to the graduation coordinator in the Academic Advising Center (AAC) by the last day of classes for the term of graduation. Postbaccalaureate students are not eligible to receive honors recognition.
Please review Linguistics Honors Thesis Guidelines
Linguistics Minor
To be granted a Minor in Linguistics a student must complete, with a 2.0 average, 15 credits- (5 classes) with a minimum 2.75 overall GPA.
Required Core Courses
9 hours (same as major) with grades of C or higher
-
LIN 3010
Introduction to Linguistics -
LIN 3201
Sounds of Human Language (Prereq: LIN 3010) -
LIN 3460
The Structure of Human Language (Prereq: LIN 3010)
Electives
-
Any two (2) LIN 4000 level courses or one (1) LIN 4000 level course and two semesters of one non-Romance and non-Germanic language.
Undergraduate advisor
Dr. Edith Kaan
4131 Turlington Hall
PO Box 115454
Gainesville, FL 32611
Telephone: 352-392-0639 x229
email
Have a Question? Contact us.
