Spanish & French Studies

Linguistics

Linguistics is the study of language: how languages are constructed and why, where they came from, and how they got that way.

It delineates the breadth and limitations of the use of language, straddling the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. It is highly useful to anyone learning another language, intending to teach English or other languages, or studying other cultures, human cognition, or child development. Linguistics at Oxy is an interdisciplinary minor that combines classes in linguistics with courses in various departments including East Asian Languages and Cultures, Cognitive Science, Education, Psychology, and Spanish & French Studies.

LINGUISTICS MINOR: Students pursuing a minor in Linguistics are required to take Linguistics 301. Subsequently, they must take a second course in linguistics. This course may be a second course listed under linguistics in the catalog, a Spanish linguistics course, or a linguistics course via transfer or study abroad (with approval of the linguistics faculty). All students must take one semester of a foreign language from one of the following categories: 1) Greek or Latin, 2) Spanish or French, 3) German or Russian, 4) Arabic, Chinese, or Japanese. This course must be in addition to and in a different category from the language used to fulfill the Core language requirement. Students must also choose two additional courses with a language focus in consultation with the linguistics faculty. These courses may include one more foreign language course, a course in Spanish linguistics, Cognitive Science 330, Philosophy 370, Education 205, or a linguistics course via transfer or study abroad (with approval of the linguistics faculty).

GROUP LANGUAGE MAJOR: Students may combine linguistics with Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian or Spanish to form a Group Language major. Please see the Group Language entry in the catalog for details.

  • Phone: (323) 259-1306
  • Fax: (323) 341-4940
  • Email: jacquely@oxy.edu