Lawrence University Course Catalog

What is language, and how does it work? Linguistics is the field of study that explores the nature and structure of language, how it develops and changes, and how it is used to express and evoke meaning. At Lawrence, linguistics is an interdisciplinary program taught by faculty members from multiple departments, affording students the opportunity to examine language-related questions from varied perspectives.

Core areas of linguistics are the study of sound patterns in language (phonology), the formation of words (morphology), and the structure of phrases and sentences (syntax), and how these relate to language meaning (semantics) and use (pragmatics). Beyond the core are applied fields that examine language types and variations, how people acquire their first and second languages, how people use language to perform acts in the world, how computers analyze or use language (such as in large language models or AI), and much more. These are represented by electives that give students the opportunity to explore topics of interest.

In addition to the core and applied areas, the major in linguistics requires language study beyond the general education requirements, which many students complete in a study abroad program. The major culminates in a capstone seminar, in which seniors apply their linguistics knowledge and skills to a research project of their own choosing and present their work to students and faculty in the program.

For students seeking to teach English as a second language, whether in the U.S. or abroad, the program offers a separate minor in Teaching ESL, which may be done on its own or together with the linguistics major or minor.

A student who completes the major in linguistics will be able to describe the structures of language using appropriate linguistic terms and concepts, to articulate relations between language structure and meaning or use, and to contrast how their native language and another language accomplish similar functions.

The student will also be able to discuss how linguistic concepts relate to language acquisition, language use within communities, or applications in related fields.

In the Senior Experience, students will refine and demonstrate their ability to conduct original inquiry and present work using the theories, methods, and conventions of linguistics as a field of study.

The major in linguistics requires the following:

1. LING 150: Introduction to Linguistics
2. The following core courses in language structures:
   • LING 340: Syntax
   • LING 350: Phonology
   • Either LING 380: Morphology or LING 335: Lexical Semantics
3. One of the following courses that emphasizes language meaning (semantics) or use (pragmatics):
   • LING 400: Philosophy of Language
   • LING 405: How to Do Things With Words
   • LING 470: Cognitive Linguistics
4. One of the following courses in applied linguistics:
   • LING 360: Second Language Acquisition
   • LING 362: The Structures of English
   • LING 407: Spanish in the U.S.
   • LING 542: Bilingualism in the Spanish-Speaking World
5. Two elective courses in linguistics, which could include additional courses from #2, 3 or 4 above.
6. One of the following language studies:
   • Study of two languages other than English, each for three terms (the equivalent of first-year level)
   • Completion of the fifth term of one language other than English (the equivalent of second-year level)
   • Study of one language other than English for four terms and completion of an off-campus language program
7. LING 650: Senior Seminar

Students satisfy the Senior Experience requirement by participating in LING 650: Senior Seminar, a speaking-intensive course in which they gain hands-on experience in conducting and presenting their research in linguistics. Students identify a research question on a topic of interest, critically review relevant literature, engage with linguistic data, and develop a well-conceived research proposal. A focus of the course is classroom discussion of work in progress (peer-to-peer learning) and student presentations. Following the end of the seminar, students present their work to other students and faculty in the linguistics program.

1. LING 150: Introduction to Linguistics
2. Two of the following core courses in language structures:
   • LING 340: Syntax
   • LING 350: Phonology
   • Either LING 380: Morphology or LING 335: Lexical Semantics
3. One of the following courses in language meaning (semantics) or use (pragmatics):
   • LING 400: Philosophy of Language
   • LING 405: How to Do Things with Words
   • LING 470: Cognitive Linguistics
4. Two elective courses in linguistics, which could include additional courses from #2 or 3.

1. LING 150: Introduction to Linguistics
2. Two courses in applied linguistics:
   1. LING 360: Second Language Acquisition
   2. LING 362: The Structures of English
3. Two courses in education studies and teaching methods:
   1. EDST 350: Ethnicity, Cultural Diversity, and Education
   2. EDUC 565: Methods in Teaching English Learners

Students pursuing teacher certification in English as a second language should consult the Education section of the catalog for additional certification requirements.