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Linguistics

The two primary goals of the Department of Linguistics and Language Development (LLD) are understanding how the languages of the world work and addressing the English language needs of our culturally diverse society.

The BA in Linguistics undertakes the scientific study of the nature, structure, and function of language. Linguistics studies the origins of language, the meaning and history of words, what language tells us about the workings of the human mind, and the practical aspects of language, including intercultural communication, language learning and teaching, and language as a conveyor of information in profound human arenas, such as medicine and law. Linguistics is also a central discipline that is involved in communicating with machines using natural language (i.e., the areas of artificial intelligence and machine recognition and synthesis of speech). The program offers state-of-the-art equipment for the acoustic and perceptual study of speech. The major provides excellent preparation for advanced studies in linguistics as well as anthropology, communications, education, and speech and hearing. Students with knowledge of more than one language have an excellent background for the study of linguistics.

Silicon Valley provides a concentration of computer companies that regularly launch projects in such linguistically-related fields as artificial intelligence, speech recognition and speech synthesis. A concentration of English as a Second Language programs are found in the area's numerous community colleges, adult schools, non-profit organizations, private language schools and workplace literacy programs. Students in LLD's programs benefit from both practical experience and internships within these programs. In addition, limited opportunities to serve as paid tutors and research assistants are available within the department.

Among the department's many distinguished alumni are Amy Tan, author of The Joy Luck Club; Lily-Wong-Fillmore, an internationally known expert in second language acquisition, and Susan Crandall, an attorney who regularly uses linguistic evidence in the courtroom.

BA - Linguistics

Lower division preparation

The Linguistics and Language Development Department offers a BA - Linguistics, and a BA - Linguistics, Preparation for Teaching. Listed below are the lower division courses recommended or required for these degree programs.

GE basic skills requirements must be completed prior to taking courses in the major. The following courses offered by the Linguistics & Language Development Department fulfill specific GE basic skills requirements and are highly recommended.

Recommended but not required:

LING 020 Nature of Language
LING 021 Language and Thinking

Language requirement:

One year of a college level language other than the student's native language or one year of college level American Sign Language or demonstrated equivalent competence. For students for whom English is not the native language, one year of college level English may fulfill this requirement.

For students seeking a BA Linguistics, with Preparation for Teaching, then also take these courses:

ENGL 056A English Literature to the Late 18th Century
   OR
ENGL 056B English Literature Late 18th Century to Present
ENGL 068A American Literature to 1865
   OR
ENGL 068B American Literature 1865 to Present

All students must satisfy the following prerequisite (or equivalent) prior to registering for the WST and 100W courses at SJSU {Academic Senate policy S05-8}:

ENGL 001B Composition 2
A "C" or better is required in English 1B (a "C-" is not acceptable).
or
Second Semester English Composition Equivalent Course
A course articulated to SJSU's English 1B is recommended, however any course approved for the IGETC second semester composition area would be accepted to meet this requirement (a grade of "C" or better is required).