Skip to main content
Panoramic collage of university campus architecture

BA(Hons) Linguistics

Western Washington University, United States
Save

Course Overview

The BA(Hons) Linguistics program at Western Washington University provides students with a comprehensive understanding of language structure, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. The program explores the scientific study of language, including the cognitive and social aspects of language use, as well as the historical and cultural contexts of linguistic variation. Students will gain hands-on experience in analyzing and interpreting linguistic data, conducting original research, and presenting their findings in academic forums. The program also offers opportunities for students to engage in experiential learning, such as language teaching and community outreach, to apply their knowledge of linguistics in real-world settings.

Additional Information

The BA(Hons) Linguistics program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the principles of linguistics, as well as practical skills in language analysis and interpretation. The program is ideal for students who are interested in pursuing careers in language teaching, translation, or language documentation, as well as those who want to further their understanding of language structure and use.

Discover the Science of Language at Western Washington University

Western Washington University offers a unique and comprehensive linguistics program that provides students with the opportunity to study language from a scientific and cultural perspective. The university's location in Bellingham, Washington, offers easy access to diverse language communities and cultural resources, providing students with a rich environment for language learning and research. Additionally, the university's strong emphasis on experiential learning and community engagement provides students with valuable opportunities to apply their knowledge of linguistics in real-world settings.

Why You Should Study This Course

Linguistics, the science of language, is an interdisciplinary field which relates to the diversity of the cultures and languages of the world. It is an integral part of most serious pursuits dealing with aspects of language study and analysis. As the boundaries of the world change, an understanding of individual languages and cultures becomes increasingly important. Communication in this complex society requires knowledge of the workings of languages, as well as their interrelationship with their respective cultures.

Why Consider a Linguistics Major?

All linguistics majors are expected to acquire knowledge of the functions of language at various levels and knowledge of the techniques and methods used in language analysis. A student of linguistics will thereby significantly advance their appreciation of linguistic and cultural diversity. Students who major in linguistics acquire valuable intellectual skills, including analytic reasoning and argumentation, and learn how to study language scientifically. This means making insightful observations, formulating and testing clear hypotheses, making arguments and drawing conclusions, and communicating findings to a wider community. Linguistics majors are therefore well equipped for a variety of jobs and graduate-level programs.

General Eligibility

Academic Requirements for freshman students:

The admission requirements for undergraduate courses are given as follows:

  • Completed application form

  • Academic Transcripts(certified english translations if necessary)

  • Relevant High school degree/Grade Report/Certificates

  • SAT or ACT Scores (Optional)

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.0

  • Personal Statement or essay

  • One letter of recommendation

  • List of extracurricular activities(if any)

  • Portfolio

What You'll Study

1 Four courses from

LING 302 - Topics in Linguistics Credits: 5 (Repeatable with different topics up to a maximum of 10 credits, including original course, but only 5 credits can count for major requirements.)

LING 305 - Experimental Methods in Language Sciences Credits: 5

LING 315 - Cognitive Neuroscience of Language Credits: 5

LING 336 - The Structure of English Credits: 5

LING 370 - Linguistics, Education, and Social Justice Credits: 5

LING 402 - Advanced Topics in Linguistics Credits: 5 (Repeatable with different topics up to a maximum of 15 credits, including original course)

LING 411 - Topics in Phonetics and Phonology Credits: 5

LING 415 - Neurophysiology of Language Credits: 5

LING 421 - Topics in Morphology and Syntax Credits: 5

LING 431 - Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics Credits: 5

LING 441 - Field Methods Credits: 5

2 Major Core

❑ Non-Indo-European language study (Chinese 102 and 103; or Japanese 102 and 103; or Arabic 102 and 103; or others under advisement) or Indo-European language study (Spanish 202 and 203; or French 202 and 203; or German 202 and 203; or Russian 202 and 203; or Greek 202 and 203; or Latin 202 or 203; or others under advisement) is required. The language requirement may be waived in some circumstances for native or fluent speakers/signers of non-English languages, in which case the required credits for the major will come from additional upper division linguistics classes under advisement.

❑ One course from:

ANTH 247 - Intro to Linguistic Anthropology Credits: 5

HNRS 217 - Colloquium in Linguistics Credits: 5

LING 201 - Introduction to Language and Linguistics Credits: 5

❑ One course from:

LING 204 - Language and Society Credits: 5

LING 207 - Language and Brain Credits: 5

❑ LING 310 - Introduction to Linguistic Analysis Credits: 5

❑ LING 311 - Phonetics and Phonology Credits: 5

❑ LING 321 - Morphology and Syntax Credits: 5

❑ LING 331 - Semantics and Pragmatics Credits: 5

Language Requirement

  • IELTS6.5
  • TOEFL93
  • PTE65
  • Duolingo89

Minimun IELTS Score 6.5 overall.

Ready to get started?

For any enquiries or further details, please don't hesitate to contact us. Let's take the next step in your academic journey together.

Contact Us
Call
WhatsApp
Email