The Majors
Last updated: Spring 2024
The department offers a Linguistics major, and six interdisciplinary majors: Computational Linguistics, Linguistics and Japanese, Linguistics and Philosophy, Linguistics and Portuguese, Linguistics and Psychology and Linguistics and Spanish.
Common Requirements for All majors:
All majors must complete 12 courses (36 credits minimum). Majors must complete the Junior Year Writing requirement. The departmental website, www.umass.edu/linguistics, lists courses that satisfy the requirement. All majors must also fulfill College of Humanities and Fine Arts requirements and the Integrative Experience requirement.
Linguistics
Required core:
LINGUIST 201 How Language Works: Introduction to Linguistic Theory
LINGUIST 301 Introduction to Syntax
LINGUIST 302 Fundamental of Speech Sounds
One of: {LINGUIST 402 Speech, Sounds and Structure, LINGUIST 414 Introductory Phonetics for Linguists, LINGUIST 470 Sounds of Englishes}
LINGUIST 510 Introduction to Semantics
Electives:
Students must take seven electives besides the required core courses. Any linguistics course can be an elective, although no more than one 100-level linguistics course can be so used. Up to four linguistically-oriented electives can be taken outside the linguistics department. See your Academic Requirements Report for a complete listing. Note that the two courses taken to fulfill the Junior Year Writing requirement and Integrative Experience requirement also counta as two of the seven electives.
Computational Linguistics
Linguistics courses (8 courses, 26-27 credits):
LINGUIST 305 Junior Year Writing 93 cr)
LINGUIST 429H Computational Linguistics: Use and Meaning (3 cr) [prereq LING 409]
LINGUIST 409 Introduction to Computational Linguistics (3 cr) [prereq LING 201 and CICS 110 or COMPSCI 119 or permission of instructor]
LINGUIST 201 How Language Works: Introduction to Linguistic Theory (4 cr)
LINGUIST 301 Introduction to Syntax (3 cr) [prereq LING 201]
LINGUIST 302 Fundamental of Speech Sounds (3 cr) [prereq LING 201]
LINGUIST 510 Introduction to Semantics (4 cr) [prereq LING 201, 301]
One of: LINGUIST 394BI Language and Cognition (IE) (3 cr) [prereq LING 201] OR LINGUIST 412 Language Processing and the Brain (IE) 93 cr) [prereq LING 201]
Computer Science (5 courses, 18-19 credits)
CICS 110 Foundations of Programming (4 cr) [prereq Math R1]
CICS 160 Object Oriented Programming (4 cr) [prereq CICS 110]
CICS 210 Data Structures (4 cr) [prereq CICS 160]
CS 485 Applications of Natural Language Processing (3 cr) [prereq LING 429H (or CS 240 and 220/230)]
One additional 200+ COMPSCI course (3-4 cr)
Math Background (2 courses, 6 credits):
MATH 131 Calculus I (3 cr)
MATH 132 Calculus II (3 cr) [prereq MATH 131]
One floating elective (3-4 credits)
Industry Practicum, Linguistics 400+ course, or CS 200+ course
Linguistics and Japanese
The successful completion of four courses in Japanese (24 credits): JAPANESE 126, 246, 326 and 327 (or the equivalent). 12 courses (36 credits minimum) distributed between Japanese and Linguistics, as follows:
Linguistics courses:
LINGUIST 201 How Language Works: Introduction to Linguistic Theory
LINGUIST 301 Introduction to Syntax
LINGUIST 302 Fundamentals of Speech Sounds
Three of the following:
LINGUIST 404 Field Methods
LINGUIST 411 Introduction to Language Acquisition
LINGUIST 412 Language Processing and the Brain
LINGUIST 414 Introductory Phonetics for Linguists
LINGUIST 503 Intermediate Syntax
LINGUIST 505 Introduction to Historical Linguistics
LINGUIST 510 Introduction to Semantics
Japanese courses
Group I. Three of the following:
JAPANESE 375 Introduction to Japanese Linguistics
JAPANESE 556 Introduction to Classical Japanese I
JAPANESE 557 Introduction to Classical Japanese I
JAPANESE 580 Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language
Group II. Two of the following (6 credits):
JAPANESE 436 Contemporary Japanese I
JAPANESE 437 Contemporary Japanese II
JAPANESE 532 Media Japanese I
JAPANESE 536 Advanced Modern Japanese I
JAPANESE 537 Advanced Modern Japanese II
JAPANESE 490STA Problems and Methods of Translation
JAPANESE 597F Business Japanese
Group III. One of the following:
JAPANESE 135 Japanese Art and Culture
JAPANESE 143 Literature: Classical and Medieval
JAPANESE 144 Literature: Modern
JAPANESE 145 Postwar Japanese Literature
Junior Year Writing Requirement:
The Junior Year Writing requirement is met by taking LINGUIST 305 or Japanese 381.
Integrative Experience requirement:
Can be met with one of the IE courses in Linguistics or Japanese, including:
LING 389 Intro to African American English
LING 394 BI Language and Cognition
LING 404 Field Methods
LING 412 Language Processing and the Brain
JAPANESE 494SI Shinbun: Newspapers as Modern Culture
JAPANESE 494RI Communicating in Japanese
Linguistics and Philosophy
At least 42 credits in courses distributed between Linguistics and Philosophy, including those listed below:
Required Linguistics courses (20 credits):
LINGUIST 201 How Language Works: Introduction to Linguistic Theory
LINGUIST 301 Introduction to Syntax
LINGUIST 302 Fundamentals of Speech Sounds
LINGUIST 411 Introduction to Language Acquisition
LINGUIST 394BI Language and Cognition OR LINGUIST 412 Language Processing and the Brain (IE course)
LINGUIST 510 Introduction to Semantics [prereq LING 301]
Required Philosophy courses:
PHIL 310 Intermediate Logic
PHIL 542 Topics in Epistemology or 551 Metaphysics
PHIL 341 Introduction to Metaphysics or PHIL 342 Introduction to Epistemology
One of the Logic following:
PHIL 511 Modal Logic
PHIL 512 Philosophy and Logic
PHIL 513 Mathematical Logic I
PHIL 514 Mathematical Logic II
One of the following electives:
PHIL 335 Contemporary Analytic Philosophy
PHIL 346 Instroduction to Philosophy of Language
PHIL 350 Introduction to Philosophy of Science
PHIL 546 Topics in the Philosophy of Language
PHIL 553 Topics in the Philosophy of Science
PHIL 555 Topics in the Philosophy of Mind
Junior Year Writing Requirement:
The Junior Year Writing requirement (JYW) is met by taking LINGUIST 305, LINGUIST 350 or PHIL 400.
Last updated: Spring 2024
Linguistics and Portuguese
The successful completion of four courses in Portuguese (12 credits): 110, 120, 230, 240 (First and second year Portuguese or equivalent proficiency demonstrated by testing or high school work). 12 courses (36 credits minimum) distributed between Linguistics and Portuguese as follows:
Linguistics Courses:
LINGUIST 201 How Language Works: Introduction to Linguistic Theory
LINGUIST 401 Introduction to Syntax
LINGUIST 402 Speech Sounds and Structure
Three courses chosen from the following:
LINGUIST 101 People and Their Language
LINGUIST 389 Introduction to African American English
LINGUIST 394BI Language and Cognition
LINGUIST 404 Field Methods
LINGUIST 509 Introduction to Computational Linguistics
LINGUIST 414 Introductory Phonetics for Linguists
LINGUIST 503 Intermediate Syntax
LINGUIST 505 Introduction to Historical Linguistics
LINGUIST 510 Introduction to Semantics
Portuguese Courses:
PORTUG 301 Conversational Portuguese
PORTUG 311 Advanced Grammar
PORTUG 312 Advanced Composition
One of the following:
PORTUG 320 Introduction to Portuguese Literature I
PORTUG 321 Introduction to Portuguese Literature II
PORTUG 322 Introduction to Brazilian Literature
One Portuguese or Brazilian culture courses:
PORTUG 315 Portuguese Civilization
PORTUG 316 Brazil
PORTUG 497B ST-Brazilian Culture
PORTUG 697B ST-Brazilian Culture
One elective course in Portuguese at the 400 level or above
Linguistics and Psychology
12 courses (36 credits minimum) distributed between Linguistics and Psychology as indicated below. A senior thesis may contribute up to six credits toward this requirement.
LINGUIST 201 How Language Works: Introduction to Linguistic Theory
LINGUIST 401 Introduction to Syntax
LINGUIST 402 Speech Sounds and Structure
PSYCH 100 Elementary Psychology
PSYCH 240 Statistics in Psychology
PSYCH 241 Methods of Inquiry in Psychology
One of the following:
LINGUIST 411 Introduction to Language Acquisition
LINGUIST 509 Introduction to Computational Linguistics
LINGUIST 510 Introduction to Semantics
Two of the following:
PSYCH 315 Cognitive Psychology
PSYCH 330 Introduction to Neuroscience
PSYCH 350 Developmental Psychology
One of the following:
LINGUIST 412 Language Processing and the Brain
PSYCH 318 Psychology of Language
Two electives 300-level or above, or a senior thesis.
Linguistics and Russian
Successful completion of four courses in Russian: RUSSIAN 110, 120, 230 and 240 (or equivalent). 10 courses (30 credits minimum) distributed between Linguistics and Russian, as follows:
Linguistics courses:
LINGUIST 201 How Language Works: Introduction to Linguistic Theory
LINGUIST 401 Introduction to Syntax
LINGUIST 402 Speech Sounds and Structure or LINGUIST 370 The Sounds of Englishes
LINGUIST 411 Introduction to Language Acquisition
LINGUIST 414 Introduction to Phonetics for Linguists
Russian courses:
RUSSIAN 301 Advanced Russian I
RUSSIAN 302 Advanced Russian II
RUSSIAN 560 Russian Phonetics
RUSSIAN 561 Structure of Russian
RUSSIAN 563 Contrastive Structures of Russian and English
Currently, students can take Elementary and Intermediate Russian, as well as Heritage Russian, at the University. Advanced level Russian courses are offered through the Five Colleges https://www.fivecolleges.edu/academics/russian-east-european-and-eurasian-studies-reees#courses. It may be possible to arrange for coursework by special arrangement with individual faculty, or by study abroad. For more information, contact the Undergraduate Advisor.
Additional courses may be selected from the offerings of the Slavic languages departments in the Five Colleges.
Linguistics and Spanish
The successful completion of four courses in Spanish (12 credits): 110, 120, 230, 240 (First and second year Spanish or equivalent proficiency demonstrated by testing or high school work). 12 courses (36 credits minimum) distributed between Linguistics and Spanish as follows:
Linguistics Courses:
LINGUIST 201 How Language Works: Introduction to Linguistic Theory
LINGUIST 401 Introduction to Syntax
LINGUIST 402 Speech Sounds and Structure
Three courses chosen from the following:
LINGUIST 101 People and Their Language
LINGUIST 370 The Sounds of Englishes
LINGUIST 389 Introduction to African American English
LINGUIST 394BI Language and Cognition
LINGUIST 402 Speech Sounds and Structure
LINGUIST 404 Field Methods
LINGUIST 414 Introduction to Phonetics for Linguists
LINGUIST 503 Intermediate Syntax
LINGUIST 505 Introduction to Historical Linguistics
LINGUIST 509 Introduction to Computational Linguistics
LINGUIST 510 Introduction to Semantics
Spanish Courses:
SPANISH 311 Advanced Grammar (SPANISH 354 recommended for native speakers)
SPANISH 378 Spanish Phonetics
SPANISH 470 General View of Hispanic Linguistics
One of the following:
SPANISH 320 Literary Currents-Spain I (to 1700)
SPANISH 321 Literary Currents-Spain II (1700 to present)
SPANISH 322 Introduction to Spanish-American Literature I (to end of Romantic period)
SPANISH 323 Introduction to Spanish-American Literature II (end of Romantic period to present)
One of the following:
SPANISH 415 Culture and Civilization of Spain
SPANISH 417 Culture and Civilization of Spanish America
One of the following:
SPANISH 471 Linguistic Varieties and Pluralism
SPANISH 472 Phonological Evolution: Latin to Spanish
SPANISH 473 Contrastive Analysis Spanish English
SPANISH 475 LLC: The Story of Romance Language
SPANISH 497SX Spanish Syntax
SPANISH 512 Spanish Language Minority in the US
SPANISH 579 Structure of Modern Spanish
SPANISH 595FF Introduction to Spanish Phonetics/Phonology
SPANISH 597AP Applied Linguistics
or any Special Topics in Hispanic Linguistics course
NOTE: LINGUIST 370 can substitute for LINGUIST 402