REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR

Selecting a primary advisor
Every linguistics major should have a primary advisor in the Department. An advisor should be chosen during the Fall quarter of the junior year. The Undergraduate Advisor, Arto Anttila will help you in the process.

Courses
Requirements for the A. B. include at least 50 units of course work in linguistics and related fields. No more than 12 of the 50 units may be below 100. No more than two courses, neither of which can be a core course, may be taken on a Credit/No Credit basis.

Of the 50 units for the major, at least 16 come from the five core courses. If only four core courses are taken, Linguistics 1, Introduction to Linguistics, is required for breadth instead of the fifth core course.

The core courses are:

• 110. Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology
• 120. Introduction to Syntax
• 130A. Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics (note: 120 is a prerequisite for this course) OR 130B. Introduction to Lexical Meaning
• 150. Language in Society (WIM course)
• 160. Introduction to Language Change
  (or, in consultation with their adviser, a course in Historical Linguistics or the History of a language)

Of the courses that fulfill the 50 units, one must be Linguistics 197, Introduction to Undergraduate Research, taken in Winter Quarter of the Junior year (for special waivers to take 197 in the senior year, apply to the Undergraduate Studies Committee no no later than the sixth week of Fall quarter of the Junior year). This course introduces students to research methods in linguistics, and prepares them for the junior research requirement (see Research Paper below), and to other opportunities such as honors work, and independent research in the senior year.

Of the courses that fulfill the 50 units, at least two must be 200-hundred level courses, i.e. graduate level courses. If they are cross-listed at the 100 and 200 levels, be sure to enroll at the 200 level if you wish the course to count for this requirement. The requirement is designed to introduce students to advanced work in the area of concentration. In planning their courses, majors should think of the requirement as offering an opportunity for a capstone experience, in many cases including an opportunity to read original articles by leading linguists, and ideally providing a way of synthesizing the various courses taken.

Areas of Concentration--Majors must select an area of concentration or develop one in consultation with an Undergraduate Studies Advisor (for sample courses see Concentrations). Areas of concentrations are: Language and Society, Language Structures, General Linguistics, and Language Specialization. Individually designed concentrations can be developed with an adviser.

Language Requirement--Majors must have competence in at least one language other than English as part of their understanding of the field of linguistics and its study. This is fulfilled by completion of six quarters study of a language or equivalent. The requirement may be fulfilled by taking courses at Stanford, or at a community college, or by certification of proficiency through the Language Center (see University requirements). The Language Center is responsible for certifying whether a student has achieved the requisite proficiency in a foreign language. Native speakers of languages other than English are exempt provided they have both written and spoken competence in their native language. Wherever possible, students should seek to use data from the language in coursework or in research.

Junior Research Paper-- In their junior year, majors must fulfill a primary research paper requirement (usually 10-15 pages). The Junior Research Paper should be submitted June by the end of the junior year. Any alternative arrangements must be approved the Undergraduate Advisor.

"Primary research" typically involves a mix of practical work (analysis of experimental data, corpus data, or fieldwork) in combination with study of secondary sources (library work). The objective of the research paper is to provide an opportunity to learn how to do research and to work closely with a faculty member. It involves:

• developing a research question
• collecting data, introspecting examples, etc.
• presenting results.

Skills developed in this context are useful in any future career, and will also allow you to explore whether or not you wish to apply for honors. If you do, the honors thesis might arise out of the research paper, or it might be on a different topic altogether. In any event, the research skills acquired can be transferred to the task of writing the thesis.

The research paper requirement may be fulfilled in one of the following three ways:

a) Writing a paper reporting the results of a mentored research project carried out with a faculty member. An email will be sent out at the beginning of each quarter with available research opportunities. You are encouraged to select a project and contact the advisor about the possibility of participating in mentored research.

b) Expansion of a research project started in a Linguistics course, e.g.:

• 105/205A. Phonetics
• 110. Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology
• 120. Introduction to Syntax
• 130A. Introduction to Linguistic Meaning
• 130B. Introduction to Lexical Semantics
• 140/240. Language Acquisition I
• 150. Language in Society
• 156. Language and Gender

into a research paper. Typically students choosing this option will sign up for 1 additional unit of 199, Independent Study with a faculty advisor. Note that completing a research paper required in a course listed above does not automatically qualify for completion of the research requirement, since close work with the instructor is expected. Therefore you should plan your research topic as soon as possible with the instructor.

c) Writing a paper in the context of 2 or more units of 199, Independent Study.

The Undergraduate Research Seminar (LINGUIST 197) will provide support for developing the Junior Research Paper. The Junior Research Paper may form the basis of your Honors Thesis Proposal.

A copy of the research paper must be filed with the chair of the Undergraduate Studies Committee, who will pass it on, after review, to the Student Services Officer for filing; it must have the Junior Research Paper Report attached as a cover sheet. Note two copies of the Research Paper will be required, one for the faculty member, and one for the Department.

Copies of sample research papers will be kept in the Linguistics Library.

Sample Program Some students take courses in Linguistics during their freshman and sophomore years, and declare in Spring quarter of the sophomore year. A typical plan for a major under this scenario would include: Freshman and sophomore years:

• An SIS seminar on a linguistic subject
• 1 Introduction to Linguistics
• 146 Language and Gender
• And/or 73 African American Vernacular English
• One or more core courses; 110 Phonetics and Phonology is strongly advised
• Foreign language courses (as needed) Junior Year:
• Remaining core courses, including L150 Language and Society (WIM course)
• Complete junior Research Project Senior Year:
• More advanced courses in the area of concentration
• Two 200-level courses in the area of concentration
• Honors or other senior research project if appropriate

Some students come to Linguistics fairly late because they have discovered it late. Such students have typically become enthusiastic because of an SIS course on a linguistic subject or a couple of courses that can count toward the major. Some transfer from another institution. It requires dedication to do honors in this scenario, but is certainly feasible (and has been done very successfully). A typical plan under this scenario would include:

Freshman and sophomore years:

• Ideally an SIS course, L1 Introduction to Linguistics, or other courses Junior year:
• As many of the five core courses as possible; 110 Phonetics and Phonology and 150 Language and Society (WIM course) are strongly advised
• 197 Introduction to Undergraduate Research
• At least two courses in the area of concentration
• Foreign Language courses (as needed) Senior year:
• Remaining core courses
• Additional advanced courses in the area of concentration
• Two 200-level courses in the area of concentration
• Foreign Language courses (if needed)
• Honors or other senior research project if appropriate