Linguistics Minor
Program Overview
WHAT IS A LINGUISTICS MINOR?
Linguistics is the scientific study of language – the capacity to express one’s thoughts and emotions via a system of spoken, gestured or written symbols. Often, this ability is taken for granted, since its acquisition is an unconscious process. The ability to produce language has arguably been the most important development in our species, and it is vital to our survival. At Furman, a linguistics minor will allow you to complement your major with an interdisciplinary course of study that fully explores a central part of the human experience.
Why study linguistics at Furman?
As a linguistics minor at Furman, you will examine the multifaceted nature of human language. While enhancing your critical thinking, analytical and research skills, you will dive into the social aspects of language, studying the nuances that affect communication among diverse cultures and social groups. As a private liberal arts and sciences university, Furman provides an exceptional environment for multidisciplinary studies, allowing you to find connections between multiple areas of interest. Small class sizes mean that you benefit from individual attention from faculty who are among the best in their fields. Plan a visit or start your application today.
How will you learn?
The linguistics minor is designed to engage students in meaningful discussions and quests of inquiry related to the nature of language, leading to better communication and understanding among different languages, cultures and disciplines. Linguistics inherently connects with numerous other fields, including psychology, biology, computer science, education and history. Choose the courses that best suit your scholarly curiosity and mold your own unique interdisciplinary path. Our focus on high–impact engaged learning experiences leverages our strong undergraduate research, internship and study away opportunities. Small class sizes allow you to work closely with renowned professors committed to mentorship and dedicated to building a scholarly community that will help you feel a sense of belonging. Visit our campus or request information to learn more.
Careers for linguistics minors
The linguistics minor prepares students for a world beyond Furman, in which an understanding of linguistic diversity is increasingly important. You’ll develop transferrable skills that are invaluable for pursuing graduate studies as well as careers such as:
- Research linguist
- Forensic linguist
- Language teacher
- Speech pathologist
- Lexicographer
- Technical writer
- Translator or interpreter
- Accent coach
- Analyst for government agencies
- Data analyst
- Natural language processing analyst
Featured linguistics courses
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26linguistics minors at Furman
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59%linguistics minors participating in undergraduate research with faculty
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99%placement rate for all students six months after graduating (employed or in graduate school)
Alexander Francis-Ratte
Stephanie Knouse
Like declaring a major, students meet with the minor chair to work out the details.
There is no limit to the number of minors a student may declare.
A minor program is an excellent way to explore further interests, gain additional skills to attract future employers, and discover connections between different subjects that interest you. Many students find that taking on a minor makes for a more well–rounded and complete educational experience.
An understanding of linguistic diversity is becoming increasingly important, and studying linguistics can help prepare you for post–collegiate life with transferrable skills you can use in graduate school or the professional world. Linguistics is a relevant subject for students pursuing careers such as research linguistics, language teaching and speech pathology, as well as those seeking advanced degrees.
The Furman linguistics minor includes specializations in bilingualism and language contact; language acquisition; cognitive processing of language; language attributes and ideologies; language evolution and historical linguistics; language–specific linguistics systems; pragmatics and intercultural communication; phonetics, phonology and sound change; and sociolinguistics, language evolution and historical linguistics.
