Fact Sheet 07: Linguistics

Revised June 2007

Linguistics

Linguistics, an interdisciplinary program at West Chester University, is designed for students who enjoy exploring the intrigues and intricacies of language and language-related behavior. It is of special relevance to students whose academic and career interests are rooted in an understanding of language and language behavior.

The linguistics program provides you, as a student, with opportunities to examine the systematic knowledge that people have of the elements and processes of language. The program also engages you in examining how language is related to other aspects of human behavior: social, psychological, philosophical, cultural, and historical.

Career Opportunities

If you are preparing to enter fields such as psychology, law, and computer science, which depend on one's ability to approach language analytically and precisely, you may find linguistics a valuable minor by enhancing your ability to grasp and apply basic concepts in these fields. Other fields where linguistics is useful include anthropology, communication studies, communicative disorders, computer science, education, English, foreign languages, philosophy, psychology, and sociology.

The minor in linguistics also gives you the option and the opportunity to go on to graduate study in fields requiring analytical approaches to language, such as linguistics, foreign languages, and the increasingly important area of English as a second language.

Program Offered

Minor in Linguistics. Course work for this interdisciplinary program includes 18 semester hours: three required courses and three electives from approximately 25 courses in six different departments.

Typical Courses

Introduction to Linguistics
Introduction to Meaning
Language, Thought, and Behavior
Sociolinguistic Aspects of English
Spanish Phonetics
Speech and Language Development
Structure of Modern English

Related Student Activities

Linguistics Club

For More Information

Dr. Dennis Godfrey
Program Coordinator
538 Main Hall
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2269