2025-2026 General Catalog
Source: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/linguistics/linguistics-ab/ Parent: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/#programsanddegreestext
Linguistics is the systematic study of human language. It focuses on theories of language structure, variation, and use, description of contemporary languages, and the examination of language change through time. Because of the pervasive influence of language in our everyday lives, work in linguistics interacts in important ways with studies carried out in many other fields, including psychology, anthropology, neuroscience, philosophy, computer science, sociology, literature, language teaching, communication and education.
The Program
An introductory lower division course provides students with basic concepts and some of the methods needed to analyze language in a systematic way. Upper division courses probe more deeply into specific aspects of language structure, language use, and the relationship of language to other realms of human activity.
Career Alternatives
Majors in linguistics find practical outlets for their linguistic training in a variety of fields: the computer science industry (software development); teaching English as a second language; foreign language teaching; elementary and secondary level bilingual-bicultural programs; language-oriented missionary work; bilingual-bicultural curriculum development (e.g., for publishing houses); legal work; speech therapy; lexicography (preparation of dictionaries). All of these types of employment share an interest in persons skilled in the analysis of language, spoken and/or written. Linguistics equips students with just such skills.
Grading Recommendation
Though not required, it is recommended that all courses offered in satisfaction of the Linguistics major be taken for a letter grade.
Faculty Advisor
Contact the Department of Linguistics.
Honors & Honors Program
The honors program consists of 6 units of 194H credit normally taken in the fall and winter quarters of the senior year. Completion of the program is a prerequisite for High or Highest Honors at graduation. Specific eligibility criteria may be obtained from the major advisor. For general information regarding graduation with honors and Dean’s Honors Lists, please see Academic Information.
Graduate Study
The Department of Linguistics offers a program of study leading to M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. More detailed information may be obtained from the Graduate Advisor or from the Chairperson of the Linguistics Department.
Graduate Advisor
Contact the Department of Linguistics.
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