Minor Requirements

Linguistics at Richmond is an interdisciplinary minor that studies the system of language as a medium of cognition and perception as well as a social institution. Engaging in linguistic analysis enables students to view culture through the lens of language. Language can be studied at multiple levels: phonetics and phonology (sounds), morphology (words), syntax (sentences), and semantics and pragmatics (meaning). Faculty at Richmond investigate each of these levels in courses that take different analytical perspectives: applied linguistics, computational linguistics, generative linguistics, historical linguistics, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, and theoretical linguistics. These courses address a variety of topics, including language change, language and cognition, and language and society (gender, class, race/ethnicity).

The Linguistics Minor

Note: The grade point average of the coursework comprising the minor must be no less than 2.00.

Six units, including:

  • LING203 Introductory Linguistics

  • Five units of elective chosen from the following:

  • Up to three units in a language other than English.

    • These cannot all be in the same language. You may apply one unit at the advanced (300 or 400) level, and this may be in addition to any of the courses listed above. You may also apply up to two units in a language other than the language of the advanced level course. These may be at any level. Please note: the application of language courses to the minor is normally done senior year during senior audit.

    • Students may apply Self Directed Language Courses to the minor (SDLC 110, 111, 112, 113). Offered through the Global Studio, these are courses in any language not taught at UR, e.g., Korean, Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, etc. Department approval is required for enrollment. Contact Michael Marsh-Soloway for additional details.

Selected topics courses in linguistics are applied to the minor on a case-by-case basis.

Students are expected to fulfill all prerequisites necessary for courses within the minor. Prerequisites do not count toward the minor unless otherwise noted. Coursework in phonetics, syntax, morphology and other related topics taken during study abroad may fulfill some minor requirements. Study abroad in consultation with advisor is strongly encouraged.