Linguistics is the scientific study of language, including language structure, language variation, language change, the development of language and the psychology and biology of language.

The Department of Linguistics prides itself on maintaining strong links between teaching and research, with emphasis on data-driven, theoretically informed inquiry into Indigenous languages, language variation and change and language acquisition. Students are trained in linguistic scholarship through active engagement in primary research, supported by unique and extensive in-house data archives, broad library holdings and state-of-the-art labs and analytical tools. Strong relations with robust local speech communities enhance our research and our teaching. Memorial University of Newfoundland's Department of Linguistics is the only department of Linguistics in Atlantic Canada, and the largest department east of Quebec City.

The following undergraduate programs are offered in the Department of Linguistics:

1. Major in Linguistics

2. Minor in Linguistics

3. Honours in Linguistics

4. Joint Honours in Linguistics information is under Honours in Linguistics.

In addition to meeting the regulations below, a student must also meet University Regulations (Undergraduate).

Linguistics course descriptions are found at the end of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences section under Course Descriptions, Linguistics and are designated by LING.

The Bachelor of Arts requires the successful completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours. A student must meet the requirements for a departmental Major, Minor, or Honours program and also meet the Program Regulations – General and Honours Degrees for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. A student is therefore advised to consult with the Admission to the Bachelor of Arts General Degree Programs regulations, the Program Regulations - General and Honours Degrees which also includes the Bachelor of Arts General Degree Components, The Major Program, and The Minor Program regulations. Information regarding honours programs is available at Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree Regulations as well as under each department’s regulations.

A student is strongly encouraged to consult with an academic advisor to discuss available programs and requirements in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences including the Core Requirements, The Major Program, The Minor Program, and the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree Regulations. A student is advised to declare a program of study, including a Major and a Minor, before completing the first 45 credit hours of study. Information about declaring a Major and Minor in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is available at www.mun.ca/hss/programs/undergraduate/ideclare.php. Information regarding advisors for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is available at www.mun.ca/hss/about/contact/liaisons.php.

The General Major in Linguistics requires twelve courses, 36 credit hours. When planning the program of study, a student is encouraged to follow the pattern outlined in Suggested Course Sequence for Major in Linguistics in order to proceed smoothly in the program.

1. Students majoring in Linguistics must complete 36 credit hours in Linguistics, which must include either Linguistics 1100 or 2800 (or the former 1155) and the 12 credit hours 1103, 1104, 3100, 3201 plus 21 credit hours in courses chosen from Linguistics 1100, 1105, 2060, 2120 (or the former 3155) 2210, 2212, 2220, 2300, 2800 (or the former 1155), 3000, 3104, 3105, 3150, 3210, 3302, 3310, 3311, 3500, 3850, 3950-3960, 4010-4091, 4100, 4110, 4120 (or the former 4150), 4151, 4203, 4204, 4210, the former 4400, 4420, 4421, 4500, 4700, 4750, 4751, 4752, 4753, 4754, 4900, 4901, 4956, 4950-4960. Of these 21 credit hours, 9 must be at the 4000 level.

2. Designated Language Study courses offered in Linguistics may not be used towards a Major in Linguistics.

3. In addition to meeting the Major in Linguistics requirements students must also meet the Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements.

A student is encouraged to consider the Honours or Joint Honours in Linguistics outlined under Honours in Linguistics.

With the exception of LING 1100 all other Linguistics courses are offered, other than language courses, during the Fall and Winter semesters only.

The General Minor in Linguistics requires eight courses, 24 credit hours. When planning the program of study, a student is encouraged to follow the pattern outlined in Suggested Course Sequence for Minor in Linguistics in order to proceed smoothly in the program.

1. Students minoring in Linguistics must complete 24 credit hours in Linguistics, which must include: either Linguistics 1100 or 2800 (or the former 1155), and both of 1103 and 1104; any 6 credit hours from the following list: Linguistics 3000, 3100, 3104, 3201, 3500, 3850; and an additional 9 credit hours selected from: the former Linguistics 1101, 1105, 2060, 2120 (or the former 3155), 2210, 2212, 2220, 2300, 2800 (or the former 1155), 3000, 3100, 3104, 3105, 3150, 3201, 3210, 3302, 3310, 3311, 3500, 3850, 3950-3960, 4010-4091, 4100, 4110, 4120 (or the former 4150), 4151, 4203, 4204, 4210, the former 4400, 4420, 4421, 4500, 4700, 4750, 4751, 4752, 4753, 4754, 4900, 4901, 4956, 4950-4960.

2. Designated Language Study courses offered in Linguistics may not be used towards a Minor in Linguistics.

3. In addition to meeting the Minor in Linguistics requirements students must also meet the Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements.

A student is encouraged to consider the Major or Honours in Linguistics outlined under Major in Linguistics and Honours in Linguistics.

With the exception of LING 1100 all other Linguistics courses are offered, other than language courses, during the Fall and Winter semesters only.

The Honours in Linguistics requires twenty courses, 60 credit hours and the joint Honours requires sixteen courses, 48 credit hours. When planning the program of study, a student is encouraged to follow the pattern outlined in Suggested Course Sequence for Honours in Linguistics in order to proceed smoothly in the program.

1. In addition to meeting the requirements below students must also meet the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Honours regulations outlined under Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree Regulations.

2. An Honours degree in Linguistics must include 60 credit hours in Linguistics courses, including at least 36 credit hours at the 3000-level or above, of which the following are required: either Linguistics 1100 or 2800 (or the former 1155), and 1103, 1104, 2210, 3000, 3100, 3201, 3210, 3500, 3850, 4100 (or 4110), 4203 (or 4204), 4999, and at least one of Linguistics 4010-4091, 4120 (or the former 4150), 4151,4210, 4500, 4700, 4750, 4751, 4752, 4753, 4754, 4900, 4901, 4950-4960. Of the remaining 18 credits hours, 6 credit hours must be taken at the 3000 level or above, with the remaining 12 credit hours taken at any level. Students may substitute Psychology 2910 for one of these remaining 12 credit hours at any level. Students should choose courses in consultation with their Honours Essay supervisor, to ensure that the needs and interests of the individual student are met, and to take into account the availability of courses which the Department is able to offer.

3. Designated Language Study courses offered in Linguistics may not be used towards a Honours in Linguistics.

4. Linguistics may also be combined with another subject or subjects to constitute a Joint Honours degree. The required courses listed above for the Honours degree, except for Linguistics 4999, are also required for any Joint Honours degree in Linguistics. A total of 48 credit hours in Linguistics, which may include Linguistics 4999, is required for Joint Honours in Linguistics. Students should consult their Department of Linguistics advisor to ensure that they select courses which complement their other Honours Subject of Specialization.

5. In addition to meeting the Honours in Linguistics requirements students must also meet the Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements.

With the exception of LING 1100 all other Linguistics courses are offered, other than language courses, during the Fall and Winter semesters only.

In addition to completing the normal requirements for a Bachelor of Arts and one of a Joint Honours, Honours, Major or Minor in Linguistics, students may elect to complete requirements for the International Bachelor of Arts (iBA). As part of the minimum 120 credit hours, a student may use eligible credit hours in Linguistics to jointly satisfy other requirements of the iBA degree. When selecting courses, a student is encouraged to consult with an academic advisor early in the program and to consider Possible Course Sequencing for the First 45 credit hours of the Bachelor of Arts.