Program: Linguistics Minor - University of Southern Maine

Apr 03, 2025

2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog

Language plays a crucial role in almost every aspect of human life; it is fundamental to commerce, government, education, science, technology, the arts, and the mass media. The field of linguistics is devoted to the study of language, its nature, its uses, and its limitations. Because of its wide relevance, undergraduate study in linguistics can be a springboard to careers in many areas, from education to computer science.

Program Requirements

Minimum number of credits required for the minor: 18

Note: Students majoring in general Linguistics or in Linguistics with concentrations in Speech and Language Science, French Linguistics, or Spanish Linguistics may not complete the Linguistics minor. Students majoring in Linguistics with concentrations in ASL Linguistics or in ASL/English Interpreting may complete the Linguistics minor, but they need to complete at least three courses in the minor that do not overlap with requirements for the major.

Required Coursework

Note: Some of these courses have prerequisites; see course descriptions.

LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics Credits: 3
One three-credit LIN course at any level (excluding courses focused on interpreting)
or
ASL 416 - ASL Linguistics in ASL Credits: 3
One 400-level three-credit LIN course (excluding courses focused on interpreting)

Three of the following courses:

LIN 310 - Signs of Language in the Brain Credits: 3
LIN 311 - Phonetics Credits: 3
LIN 312 - Phonology and Morphology Credits: 3
LIN 313 - Syntax Credits: 3
LIN 316 - Language Variation Credits: 3
LIN 317 - Two Languages, One Mind: Introduction to Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism Credits: 3