The minor in Linguistics at Rhodes, as it trains students to examine language as a vehicle for cognition, expression, and transmission of knowledge, has two components. First, it offers students a grounding in contemporary linguistic theory and its constituent domains of phonology (sound structure), morphology (word structure), syntax (phrase and sentence structure), semantics (the structure of meaning), and pragmatics (meaning in context). Second, the interdisciplinary nature of linguistics, enables students to synthesize multiple disciplines in the study of language and bring that synthesis to bear on other disciplines, such as anthropology, cognitive science, computer science, neuroscience, education (including bilingual education and ESL), languages and literatures, philosophy, psychology, sociology, area studies and women/ethnic/gender studies. 

The minor in linguistics will allow students to complement various related majors with interdisciplinary courses of study that explore important parts of human experience -- language and cognition -- in a fuller and more nuanced way.

Alexandra (Sasha) Kostina, program coordinator, Modern Languages and Literatures

Lori Garner, English

Eric Henager, Modern Languages and Literatures

Erin Hillis, Education

Brian Larkins, Computer Science

Jared Millson, Philosophy

A total of twenty (20) credits as follows:

1. LANG 280: Introduction to General Linguistics or PHIL 210: Symbolic Logic and Formal Languages 
2. Eight credits of Primary Linguistics Electives (Category A) 
3. Eight credits of Supporting Linguistics Electives (Category B)
4. At least one of the courses should be at the 300+ level
5. The combination of courses to satisfy the minor should come from at least 2 different programs of study

Category A: Primary. Courses with majority linguistic content:

• COMP 350: Theory of Computation
• EDUC 160* and 161*: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
• EDUC 370: Elementary Literacy
• ENGL 315: History of the English Language**
• ENGL 316: Advanced Grammar**
• FREN 340: Introduction to Translation
• LANG 240: Language Acquisition and Pedagogy
• LANG 280: Introduction into General Linguistics
• PHIL 210: Symbolic Logic and Formal Languages
• PHIL 311: Philosophy of Language
• PSYC 306: Psycholinguistics
• SPAN 316: Variation and Contact in Literature and Media of the Americas

*The TEFL courses are 2 credits each.

**The English Department allows LANG 280 to count as a prerequisite in place of a 200-level literature class.

Category B: Supporting. Courses which support or have a direct bearing on language as an instrument of thought, or content featuring linguistics in applied settings:

• ANSO 365: Topics. Language, Culture, and Power
• ANSO 375: Anthropology and the Written Word       
• COMP 360: Programming Languages
• EDUC 310: Reading and Writing in Urban Schools
• HLEQ 415: Intercultural Communication
• NEUR 270: Neuroscience
• PHIL 219: Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
• PHIL 312: Philosophy of the Cognitive Sciences
• PSYC 327: Cognitive Processes
• INTD 265: Special Topics