The Linguistics Major in CAS
Printable Brochures
You can download printable versions of
- Requirements for the current Linguistics major
- Requirements in effect for students who declared their Linguistics major prior to September 2011. (Students who wish to do so may convert to the new requirements by informing the CAS Records Office and their advisor.)
Major Requirements
The Linguistics major consists of 12 courses: 8 in Linguistics and 4 in foreign languages, as listed below. In addition to the requirements for the major, students must also satisfy general requirements of the College of Arts & Sciences. An advisor can assist you in designing your program of study.
Eight Linguistics courses
Introductory linguistics course
The following course, to be taken before the other linguistics courses:
- CAS LX 250 Foundations of Language (offered every semester)
Courses in linguistic theory
The following three courses in linguistic theory are required:
- CAS LX 502 Semantics I (normally offered both semesters)
- CAS LX 510 Phonetics (usually offered in the Fall)
- CAS LX 522 Syntax I (normally offered both semesters)
Linguistic analysis of a specific language
One course in the linguistic analysis of a specific language:
Offered in English
- CAS LX 406 The Linguistics of Contemporary English
- CAS LX 500 Topics: The Linguistics of Contemporary English (Spring 2012, 2013 only)
- CAS LX 501 Linguistic Field Methods
- CAS EN 513 Modern English Grammar
- CAS EN 515 History of the English Language I
- CAS EN 516 History of the English Language II
- CAS EN 518 Linguistic Problems in the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language
- CAS LX 505 Structure of African Languages
- CAS LX 533 The Structure of Creole Languages
- SED DE 672 Structure of American Sign Language
Knowledge of the language a prerequisite
- CAS LF 500 French Phonetics and Diction
- CAS LF 502 The Structure of French: Syntax
- CAS LF 503 The Structure of French: Phonology
- CAS LF 504 The History of the French Language
- CAS LF/LX 506 Topics in French Linguistics
- CAS LJ 410 History of the Japanese Language
- CAS LJ 510 The Structure of the Japanese Language
- CAS LS/LX 420 Spanish in the United States
- CAS LS 504 History of the Spanish Language
- CAS LS 505 Topics in Spanish Linguistics
- CAS LS/LX 507 Sounds of Spanish
- CAS LS/LX 508 Structure of Spanish
Two additional Linguistics courses
Two additional linguistics courses, including at most one at the 200 level, from the following:
- CAS LX 235 Language in the Contemporary World: Technology, Society & the Law
- CAS LX 240 Great Linguists
- CAS LX 245 Language and Mind
- CAS LX 320 Language, Race & Gender
- CAS LX 340 Language Myths
- CAS LX 400 Second Language Acquisition
- CAS LX 500 Topics in Linguistics
- CAS LX 503 Semantics II
- CAS LX 504 Topics in Pragmatics
- CAS LX 513 Introduction to Phonology
- CAS LX 518 Focus
- CAS LX 519 Questions
- CAS LX 521 Morphology
- CAS LX 523 Syntax II
- CAS LX 525 Prosody
- CAS LX 535 Historical and Comparative Linguistics
- CAS LX 540 Acquisition of Syntax
- CAS AN 521 Sociolinguistics
One additional elective
One additional course chosen from among those listed under "Additional Linguistics courses" or "Linguistic analysis of a specific language" plus those listed below (or another related course, with approval of the major advisor).
Logic and philosophy of language
- CAS PH 160 Reasoning and Argumentation
- CAS PH 261 Puzzles and Paradoxes
- CAS PH 360 Symbolic Logic
- CAS PH 421 Frege, Moore, and Russell
- CAS PH 463 Philosophy of Language
- CAS PH 486 Topics in Knowledge, Language, and Logic
Language, culture, and society
- CAS AN 351 Language, Culture, and Society
- CAS AN 524 Seminar: Language and Culture Contacts in Contemporary Africa
- CAS AR 208 Lost Languages and Decipherment
Language acquisition and development
- CAS PS 544 Developmental Neuropsychology
- SAR SH 505 Introduction to Phonological Disorders
- SAR SH 523 Introduction to Speech Science
- SAR SH 524 Language Acquisition
- SAR SH 531 Introduction to Communication Disorders
Independent study
- CAS LX 491/492 Directed Study
Four courses in foreign languages
These four courses, at or above the 3rd semester level, must include at least two different non-native languages. (American Sign Language, taught through the School of Education, may count toward this requirement, as may any language taught by the Department of Romance Studies, the Department of Modern Languages and Comparative Literature, or the Department of Classical Studies.)
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Click here for a list of languages offered at BU
or other information related to foreign language advising.
Declare your major or minor
To declare a Linguistics major or a minor in CAS, submit this form to the CAS Records Office; see below. The code for Linguistics is 1505.
New Location for CAS Advising and Records Office
- CAS Academic Advising (includes Records)
Room 401, 100 Bay State Road, Boston MA, 02215
Phone 617-353-2400, Fax 617–353-1859
Honors program
Follow this link for details on the Linguistics Honors Program, or click here for a printable description of that program.