The study of linguistics at Seattle Pacific University focuses on the nature of language and on humans as creators and users of language. If you’re preparing to enter a professional field such as teaching, speech pathology, or linguistic research, you’ll want to consider this program.
Two items to note for this quarter:
Students who need LIN 4899, Linguistics Capstone, should sign up for LIN 4900 Independent Study for three credits. Please see Dr. Nemtchinova for details.
The upper-division Linguistics Course for this quarter is LIN 4950, Special Topics: Computational Linguistics, taught by Prof. Martin Horn.
Benefits
This program in SPU’s Department of Languages, Cultures, and Linguistics explores several aspects of the study of linguistics, including:
- Language universals and linguistic creativity
- Systems of sound and meaning, and phrase and sentence structure
- Linguistic diversity
- Child and adult language acquisition and learning
- This historical development of language families
This major or minor could be ideal if you are preparing to enter fields such as anthropology, global development, global and urban ministries, sociology, or specific languages.
You will receive a thorough grounding in general linguistic theory, as well as an opportunity for work in more specific sub-fields such as sociolinguistics or second-language acquisition.
Career opportunities
- Business
- Civil service or diplomacy
- Communications
- Education
- Linguistic research
- Missions
- Speech pathology
- Speech recognition and recreation
- Teaching English as a second language
Courses and degree requirements
This major requires you to have a minimum competency through the second-year sequence of a language.
You are required to write a senior paper and present it in conjunction with the Capstone Seminar.
The Linguistics and Cultural Studies major also includes a Study Abroad requirement and, prior to graduation, an oral proficiency interview conducted by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
Entering the Major or Minor in Linguistics and Cultural Studies
You may enter the major or minor during your first quarter at SPU. Entrance after your first quarter requires only good academic standing (2.0 or higher SPU cumulative GPA). Consult the undergraduate catalog
for complete information on how and when to enter and what you must do to complete the program.