Linguistics and Cognitive Science

Basic Structure of the Program

The program offers two different majors: The Linguistics major and the Cognitive Science major.
A prerequisite for the Linguistics major is solid competency in a foreign language
The Cognitive Science major brings together courses from Computer Science, Linguistics, Psychology, Philosophy, and Biology that deal with issues in information processing and the mind/brain. Most courses for the Cognitive Science major are taken in those departments.
Linguistics 1: Introductory Linguistics, is the entrée into the Linguistics major.
Cognitive Science 2: Cognition, is a prerequisite to the Cognitive Science major, though it is not prerequisite to most major courses.
Linguistics and Cognitive Science jointly sponsors an FSP to New Zealand with the Anthropology department in the winter term. Prerequisites include LING 1 and one other Linguistics course in the 20s. Those concentrating on Linguistics on the FSP will take a course on the Maori language while in New Zealand. See the Off-Campus Programs Office for information and application.

Linguistics
- LING 1: Introductory Linguistics
- LING 17: Sociolinguistics
- LING 18: History of the English Language (=ENGL 18)
Cognitive Science
- COGS 2: Cognition (=PSYC 28, PSYC 1 or COSC 5 is prerequisite)
- PHIL 26: Philosophy and Computers
- PSYC 40: Introduction to Computational Neuroscience

LING 1: Introductory Linguistics, is the best introduction to the field of Linguistics, and is a prerequisite for the major.
Solid competency in a foreign language is also a prerequisite for the major. This requirement may be met by taking two courses in a language beyond the first-year level.
Linguistics majors are encouraged to study a second language not closely related to the first.

COGS 2: Cognition (=PSYC 28), is a prerequisite to the major.
COSC 5: Introduction to Computer Science, is a core course in the major curriculum.
PHIL 26: Philosophy and Computers, is also a core course in the major curriculum, and is offered without prerequisites.
PSYC 10: Experimental Design, Methodology, and Data Analysis Procedures, is also a prerequisite for the major.
Because this is a smaller program, courses are offered with less frequency and thus students must plan ahead carefully. Exceptions may be allowed, particularly to accommodate conflicts necessitated by the D-Plan.