Linguistics - Duke University

Linguistics from Duke University is a Campus Bachelor Linguistics degree that prepares you for a Liberal Arts career. The mission of the Duke University undergraduate program in Linguistics is to provide students with a multifaceted learning experience founded on the application and development of complex forms of reasoning and analysis. This learning experience is intended to confer a strong basis of knowledge in the study of theoretical and applied linguistics and the world's languages. Also, it will imbue each student with the ability to integrate, evaluate and apply this knowledge in written and oral genres. The Duke Linguistics Program is committed to close collaboration between faculty and students within the program for individual student research projects and more generally the creation and dissemination of knowledge. The central topic areas that lead to the A.B. degree include: (1) historical and comparative linguistics, (2) cognitive and neurolinguistics, (3) sociolinguistics, (4) structural, post-structural and semiotic approaches to first and second language acquisition, (5) bilingualism and multilingualism, and (6) discourse analysis. This unique program requires all students to complete 3 core courses, including a capstone seminar in theoretical linguistics , course work in theory, course work in a related sub disciplinary concentration, and course work in a language at the advanced level. Goals/Objectives for undergraduate education in Linguistics: In order to fulfill the mission stated above, Linguistics provides one major track leading to the A.B. degree and one minor track. Goal 1: Students will possess knowledge of diachronic and synchronic approaches in theoretical linguistics . Students develop a comprehensive intellectual foundation in the discipline of linguistics through the study of theory courses presented from a variety of perspectives, including historical, comparative, structural, generative, semiotic, sociolinguistics and cognitive neurolinguistics. Goal 2: Students will have advanced-level proficiency in a foreign language. Students will acquire an advanced-level of proficiency in foreign language requiring the completion of at least two courses at the 100-level or above in a language. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of learning experiences (in-country) on a variety of Duke and non-Duke study abroad programs. Proficiency will be measured based on best practices found within the corresponding Duke departments that teach the languages selected by linguistics majors. Currently, many Duke departments involved in teaching languages require performance and placement testing; proficiency testing using national and international instruments does occur but is not mandatory. Goal 3: Students will develop competence in the evaluation and continuance of research in theoretical linguistics. All majors are required to complete research-oriented coursework within the major itself, and are encouraged to produce larger independent research projects under the rubric of the honors thesis program. A large percentage of first majors in Linguistics successfully undertake the honors thesis; this is one of the consequences of the goals of the capstone experience. Goal 4: Students will demonstrate the ability to use empirical methods for cross-cultural comparative research Students will acquire the ability to understand and critically apply appropriate social science and natural science empirical research methods to data collection in language and languages. This ability is demonstrated in linguistic theory courses with an R curricular designation. Goal 5: Career preparation Students achieving the A.B. degree in Linguistics will be successful in their pursuit of graduate degrees in a variety of fields, including those related to the study of theoretical linguistics , speech pathology, speech recognition technologies, cryptography, lexicography, computer programming, forensic linguistics, market analysis, law and medicine. View more details on Duke University . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Linguistics courses.