The English major with a concentration in linguistics allows students to explore the scientific study of language. This concentration is recommended for anyone interested in understanding the principles that underlie language. As language scientists, linguists study how people turn thoughts into sentences. They explore such diverse topics as grammar, dialects, language history, sound systems, language acquisition, and language and the brain, among other areas. Linguistics is quite interdisciplinary, having ties to anthropology, cognitive science, education, foreign language, philosophy, and psychology. Completing the English major with a concentration in linguistics can make a student uniquely suited for a number of different professions—for example, law, medicine, education, writing, government service (such as the FBI), professional translation, or diplomacy. Linguistics majors have entered diverse fields upon graduation: speech therapy, technical writing, language-related software development, law, and neurological medicine.

Requirements

Beginning Fall 2010, the English department is offering a new set of requirements for graduation. The result is that there are two catalogs in effect and thus two sets of graduation requirements: the "old" catalog (2009-2010) and the "new" catalog (2010-2011). Students who declared as English majors before Fall 2010 are governed by the terms of  the “old” catalog unless they notify the Arts & Sciences Academic Advisors that they wish to switch from old to new.  Both catalogs offer equally viable routes to graduation. Current students may choose to remain under the old catalog or elect to switch to the new one, depending on their preferences and on how each catalog will affect their progress toward degree.

'Old' catalog (2009-2010):

To earn a major in English with a concentration in linguistics under the 2009-2010 catalog, a student must complete a total of at least 42 credit hours in addition to EH101 and 102 and other UAB core requirements. These hours should include:

• Two courses (6 hours) from EH 221, 222, 223, 224
• EH 301
• One course (3 hours) from EH 365 or 366
• EH 476
• One course (3 hours) in non-Shakespearean British literature produced before 1660
• One course (3 hours) at the 400-level in British literature produced after 1660
• One course (3 hours) in American literature at the 400 level
• One course (3 hours) in the study of English as a language OR two courses (6 hours) in linguistics at the 200 or 300 levels, thereby increasing the total number of hours required for the major to 45
• Five additional courses (15 hours) in linguistics, at least three (9 hours) of which must be at the 400 level

Students majoring in English with a concentration in linguistics must achieve a grade of C or higher in all courses applied toward the major and concentration, and at least 15 hours of English courses at the 300 and 400 levels must be taken at UAB. Since linguistics is interdisciplinary, students will find that these 15 hours can be selected from any EH linguistics course, LING course, or ANTH or CS course cross-listed with LING.

For a complete listing of which EH courses count toward each of the above categories, see the 2009 catalog. Students majoring in English must achieve a grade of C or higher in all courses applied toward the major requirement, and at least 15 hours of English courses at the 300 and 400 levels must be taken at UAB. A single course may not count toward more than one departmental requirement.

"New" catalog (2010-2011)

To earn a major in English with a concentration in linguistics under the 2010-2011 catalog, a student must complete a total of at least 42 credit hours in addition to EH101 and 102 and other UAB core requirements. These hours should include:

• A two-course literary survey sequence (6 hours) in World (EH 217 and 218), British (EH 221 and 222), or American (EH 223 and 224) Literature
• EH 301
• EH 350/LING 350
• One 300- or 400-level course (3 hours) in African, African-American, or African-Diasporic literature
• One 300- or 400 level courses (3 hours) in literature produced before 1700
• One 300- or 400-level course (3 hours) in literature produced 1700-1900
• One 300- or 400 level course (3 hours) in literature produced post-1900
• One 300- or 400-level course (3 hours) in the study of English as a language
• Three 300- or 400-level electives (12 hours) in Linguistics. Note: students may petition the Director of Linguistics to have one relevant, non-Linguistics course in English or another discipline count toward this requirement.
• One English elective (3 hours; see catalog for approved courses)
• One Capstone course (3 hours): EH 411 (Capstone Internship), EH 495 (Capstone Honors Thesis) or EH 496 (Capstone seminar)

For a complete listing of which EH courses count toward each of the above categories, see the 2010-2011 catalog. Students majoring in English must achieve a grade of C or higher in all courses applied toward the major requirement, and at least 15 hours of English courses at the 300 and 400 levels must be taken at UAB. A single course may not count toward more than one departmental requirement. Also, at least 21 semester hours in English must be at the 400 level.

If You Have Questions

• Academic Advisors for the College of Arts and Sciences can guide you toward your degree in English; their offices are located in Heritage Hall 510, and their phone number is (205) 975-0097.
• For course offerings, check the online class schedules.
• For other questions, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Director of Linguistics, Humanities Building 213A, (205) 934-8588, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Director of Undergraduate Studies, Humanities Building room 207G, (205) 934-8570.