Linguistics Inter-departmental Minor

What is linguistics?

Linguistics is the scientific study of language. Unlike the study of particular languages like German or Chinese, linguistics focuses on how language functions as a system, both internally (e.g., the structure of a system for communicating meaning) and externally (e.g., how the use of language reflects and reinforces the structure of a society).

Linguistics deals with such questions as whether the ability to use language—which defines humans as a species—is innate; how languages are born, develop, compete, and die, or change into other languages; what meanings and effects are produced through the use of language varieties; what features are universal among the several thousand languages of our planet; how computers can be taught to use human language.

Where can linguistics lead?

Language is a component of nearly all human undertaking. A good knowledge of linguistics is particularly helpful in such fields as education, language teaching, literary analysis, the media, advertising, communications, law, international business, anthropology, psychology, travel, computer science, philosophy, and a number of emerging fields.

To learn more about linguistics, go to the website of the Linguistic Society of America. Under “Frequently Asked Questions,” click on “Why should I major in linguistics?” and on “Want to know more? Click here …”

What is Hunter’s program in linguistics?

Hunter offers an inter-departmental minor in linguistics. Any student may be a linguistics minor (e.g., Anthropology majors, English majors, etc.). Although the exact course requirements for the minor are determined by the department in which students pursue their major, it generally consists of four 3-credit linguistics courses.

Linguistics courses the minor should include:

ANTHC 151 Introduction to Linguistics

And three other linguistics courses. Below are some sample courses:
(Please be aware that there may be prerequisites for some of these courses.)

Africana and Puerto Rican/Latino Studies
AFPRL 370 Sociolinguistic Fieldwork in Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Speech Communities

Anthropology
ANTHC 320 Language, Sex and Gender
ANTHC 351 Language in Culture and Society
ANTHC 353 Phonological Analysis and Theory
ANTHC 354 Grammatical Analysis and Theory

Classics
CLA 110 The Greek and Latin Roots of English

Education
SEDC 212 Methods I: Foundations of Literacy, Language and Learning in the Foreign/Heritage Language Classroom, Grades 7-12

English
ENGL 331 Structure of Modern English
ENGL 332 History of the English Language
ENGL 333 Advanced Topics in Language and Linguistics (e.g., Language and Ethnicity; Language in the USA; Sociolinguistics; Words and Meaning)

Philosophy
PHIL 171 Introduction to Symbolic Logic
PHIL 364 Philosophy of Language

Psychology
PSYC 270 Cognitive Processes
PSYC 322 Problems in Psycholinguistics

Advanced grammar courses in languages other than English
FREN 311 Advanced French Grammar
HEBR 351 Hebrew Grammar and Composition
ITAL 311 Advanced Italian Grammar
RUSS 314 Advanced Russian Grammar
SPAN 311 Structure of Modern Spanish

Linguistics faculty

Edward Bendix
Professor Emeritus, Anthropology
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Martin Chodorow
Professor, Psychology
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Webpage:

Ignasi Clemente
Assistant Professor, Anthropology
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Karen Greenberg
Professor, English
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Harriet Luria
Associate Professor, English
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Kate Parry
Professor, English
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Angela Reyes
Associate Professor, English
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Trudy Smoke
Professor, English
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For further information about Hunter’s program in linguistics, please contact:

Angela Reyes (contact information above), or the Department of English (212) 772-5070, or the Department of Anthropology (212) 772-5410

Last updated September 2008

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