University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

English (Language and Linguistics Specialization), B.A.


The faculty in the Language and Linguistics program of the English Department train students in the formal study and analysis of the many facets of language. This major prepares students for graduate work in linguistics, foreign languages or medieval studies, or for careers in which a full awareness of the nature and characteristics of language is necessary, such as law, education, speech pathology, or information technology. We offer classes in general linguistics, phonetics and phonology, syntax, sociolinguistics, language and gender, the history of the language and Old English, as well as courses in medieval language and literature such as Beowulf and Chaucer. Students will also develop their skills in writing and literary analysis, and are free to take additional courses in literature or writing as electives. Many of our students find that their study of linguistics is complemented by a second major or a minor in Anthropology, Computer Science or a foreign language. Students majoring in Literature or Writing may minor in Linguistics or TESOL. Students majoring in Linguistics may minor in Literature or Writing. No course may simultaneously fulfill requirements in major and minor.

Student Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to:

  • demonstrate (In all courses) by clear writing and discussion an understanding of the core areas of linguistics: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics.
  • demonstrate by formula analysis and writing the detailed interactions of phonetics and phonology as they are manifested in English and other typologically organized phonetic and phonological systems.
  • demonstrate by tree analysis, phrase structure rule analysis, transformational analysis and writing a detailed understanding of the principles and parameters approach to syntactic description and explanatory theory as these apply to at least SVO, SOV, and VSO languages.
  • demonstrate in speech and through writing a firm grasp of the impact of cultural and historical events on the development of the language; and demonstrate through linguistic analytical methods and writing a detailed understanding of phonetic, phonological, morphological, syntactic and orthographic changes in the major periods of the history of the English language.
  • demonstrate understanding of the major components of the methods and fieldwork techniques commonly used in linguistic research; articulate through data analysis and writing the interaction of language and society as theorized in sociolinguistics, gender studies and discourse analysis.

Contact Information


122A Frandsen Humanities
(775) 784-6689

College of Liberal Arts Advising: http://www.unr.edu/liberal-arts/student-resources/academic-advising

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno


Use the transfer agreement  and the degree planner (available by clicking Print degree planner icon at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.

If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement  if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.

Graduation Requirements


  • Total Units | 120
  • Cumulative GPA | 2.0
  • University GPA | 2.0
  • Major GPA | 2.0
  • Residency Requirement | 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
  • Major Residency Requirement | 15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR
  • Upper-Division Requirement | 42 Upper-Division Units
  • Half Program Units/4 Year Institution | 60 Units

I. Core General Education Requirements (24-27 units)


NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy  .”

Students must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course description.

A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3


B. Quantitative Reasoning (3 units minimum) - CO2


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO2 courses .

C. Physical & Natural Phenomena (6 units minimum) - CO4, CO4L


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO4/CO4L courses .

D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO6 courses .

E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO7 courses .

F. History & Culture; Constitution (6 units) - CO5, CO8


Refer to the Core Curriculum   chapter in this catalog.

II. Additional Core Requirements (15 units maximum)


Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV), and at least one course used to satisfy a Major Requirement must satisfy a Core Objective. If students do not use the following recommended courses to satisfy the additional Core requirements, they must take appropriate courses in other departments. Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog for appropriate courses.

A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO9 courses .

B. Diversity & Equity - CO10


C. Global Context - CO11


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO11 courses .

D. Ethics - CO12


E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13


Choose one course:

F. Application - CO14


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO14 courses .

III. Additional College Requirements (6-20 units)


Units may vary depending on initial course placement in foreign language coursework.

A. Foreign Language (0-14 units)


Successful completion of the foreign language requirement may be accomplished through one of four options:

  1. complete a fourth semester college course in a foreign language or in American Sign Language;
  2. demonstrate proficiency through placement examination or other means determined by the Department of World Languages and Literatures, including minimum CBAPE, SAT II, or IB scores;
  3. show transcript evidence of successful completion of four years of high school coursework in the same foreign language; or
  4. participate in a Studies Abroad program pre-approved by the college to meet the foreign language requirement.

B. College Breadth Requirement (6 units)


Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree in the college shall be required to take, within the College of Liberal Arts, 6 units that are outside the departments in which they major or minor, and that exclude courses taken to fulfill the Core General Education requirements (Core Objectives 1 through 8).

IV. Major Requirements, Language and Linguistics Specialization (36 units)


Recommended electives include:


V. Minor Requirements (18-21 unit)


The English Department accepts any minor approved by the College of Liberal Arts.

VI. Electives (1-21 units)


VII. Recommended Schedule


First Year


Fall Semester (16-18 units)


  • Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information Prerequisite (3-5 units) *
  • Quantitative Reasoning (3 units) CO2 *
  • Foreign Language 111 (4 units)
  • Cultures, Societies & Individuals (3 units) CO6
  • Artistic Composition, Interpretation & Expression (3 units) CO7

* English and Math course placement is based on test scores. Please consult the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

Spring Semester (16-17 units)


  • (3 units) CO1, CO3 *
  • Physical & Natural Phenomena (3-4 units) CO4 or CO4L **
  • Foreign Language 112 (4 units)
  • General Elective (3 units)
  • College Breadth Requirement (3 units)
  • * English and Math course placement is based on test scores. Please consult the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

    ** Complete at least one CO4L course.

Second Year


Fall Semester (15-16 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


Third Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


  • 400-Level ENG (6 units)
  • Global Contexts (3 units) CO11 
  • 300-400 Level Minor (3 units)
  • Ethics (3 units) CO12

Fourth Year


Fall Semester (12-15 units)


  • 400-Level ENG (6 units)
  • Capstone Integration & Synthesis (3 units) CO13
  • 300-400 Level Minor (3 units)
  • General Elective (0-3 units) 

Spring Semester (12-13 units)


  • 400-Level ENG (6 units)
  • Application (3 units) CO14
  • General Elective (0-1 units) 
  • 300-400 Level Minor (3 units)