The undergraduate concentration in linguistics is designed to provide students with an introduction to the formal analysis of language with respect to its phonetic, phonological, syntactic, and semantic properties. Further course work explores the computational nature of linguistic systems, how language is learned by children and perceived by adults, how languages vary, and how they change over time. Course work in the Department of Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences may be complemented with related courses in English, anthropology, philosophy, computer science, and various languages.
Concentration Advisor: Katherine Demuth, x1053, Katherine_Demuth@brown.edu
The concentration in linguistics requires a total of ten courses in linguistics or related disciplines, including the following:
Prerequisite: CG 41 (may be waived in special instances).
1. CG 121 (Introduction to Phonology)
2. CG 131 (Introduction to Syntax)
3. At least one course in phonetics, phonology, syntax, or semantics
CG 0111 Introduction to Semantics
CG 0124 The Production, Perception, and Analysis of Speech
CG 0164 Topics in Syntax and Semantics
4. At least one course in psycholinguistics
CG 0142 Syntactic Theory and Syntactic Processing
CG 0143 Child Language Acquisition
CG 0145 Laboratory in Psycholinguistics
CG 0147 Language Learning Disorders
CG 0148 Language and the Brain
CG 0174 Topics in Language Acquisition
The remaining five courses may be drawn from any of those listed above, or from the following courses in linguistics and related disciplines; with the restriction that only 2 may be below 100 level courses:
CG 0007 Language, Truth, and Advertising
CG 0032 The Biology and Evolution of Language
CG 0136 Introduction to Computational Linguistics
CG 0172 Introduction to Mathematical Linguistics
AN 0180 Sociolinguistics, Discourse and Dialogue
EL 0121 History of the English Language
EL 0136 Seminar in Old English
EL 0190 Literature and the Structure of English
PL 0085 Philosophy of Language
Courses above the 100 level from other departments dealing with the history and structure of language may also qualify with the consent of the advisor. At least three of these courses must be at the 100 level or above. Other courses may be substituted at the discretion of the concetration advisor.
Foreign language courses will generally not count towards the concentration requirements, except those which focus on the structure or history of the language. Students are, however, advised to gain familiarity with a foreign language, and are encouraged to take at least one course which deals with the structure of a language other than English.
It is strongly recommended that students take CG 121 and CG 131 before Semester 7.
Candidates for honors in linguistics will take a minimum of twelve courses for the concentration which will consist of all requirements for the standard program plus two additional courses in linguistics or related disciplines. One of these courses may be an independent study project upon which the thesis is based. Honors candidates should formalize their projects in consultation with their advisors by the end of Semester 6. Honors students will give an oral presentation of their work.
Although no specific grade-point average has been set for acceptance into the Honors Program, only students with a good record and an advisor willing to work with them will be allowed into the Honors Program. The Department of Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences will make the final decision.
Independent study is encouraged for the A.B. degree. Students should sign up for CG 198 with a faculty advisor who is a member of the Department of Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences. Arrangements should be made in Semester 6 for students expecting to do independent study during Semesters 7 and/or 8.
Page last updated in April, 2006.