#  Linguistics Track 

 



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The Linguistics Track has two options:

- Regular (12 courses; 1 language requirement; no thesis)
- Honors (14 courses (2 additional thesis-writing tutorials); 2 language requirement; thesis)



 

##  Required non-tutorial courses (9 courses) 

- One of the introductory courses:
    - Linguistics 10: Language
    - Linguistics 83: Language, Structure, and Cognition
    - Linguistics 101: The Science of Language: An Introduction
    - Freshman Seminar in linguistics (e.g. 34x: Language and Prehistory; 61Q: the Origins of Meaning)
- Linguistics 102: Sentence Structure
- Linguistics 105: Sounds of Language
- Linguistics 106: Knowledge of Meaning
- One of:
    - Linguistics 104: Word Structure
    - Linguistics 107: Introduction to Indo-European
    - Linguistics 108: Introduction to Historical Linguistics
- 4 additional courses  
    (at least 1 of which must be in linguistics)  
    Courses in Linguistics include any course in the Linguistics Department, or a course on a Linguistics topic in another department. For the other three courses, any course in Linguistics or in a Related Field (e.g. Philosophy of the Mind; Neurobiology of Behavior) will do. Alternatives outside of this domain must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.



 

##  Required tutorials (3 courses) 

**Sophomore: Linguistics 97r (spring)**

- Two consecutive six-week small-group tutorials

**Junior: Linguistics 98a (fall), and Linguistics 98b (spring)**

- Ling 98a: Two consecutive six-week small-group tutorials
- Ling 98b: One-term individual tutorial with a faculty member  
    \[Letter Grade\]

  
\*For non-honors candidates, it is possible to replace Ling 98b with Linguistics 97r (taken twice) or with any other elective course in linguistics.



 

##  Honors Track tutorials (2 courses) 

**Senior: Linguistics 99a (fall), and Linguistics 99b (spring)**

Required for Honors candidates and focused on the research and writing of the senior Honors thesis.  
Group tutorial led by an instructor with the participation of Honors candidates’ thesis advisers.  
\[SAT/UNSAT\]



 

##  Language Requirements 

We value perspectives gained by knowing other languages; non-honors concentrators simply must demonstrate knowledge of one foreign language by the end of the junior year as required by the college (see language requirement in the [Handbook for Students](https://handbook.fas.harvard.edu/book/welcome)).

Honors concentrators must demonstrate knowledge of an additional foreign language by the end of the senior year. This can be done in the following ways:

- by being a native speaker of the language;
- by obtaining at least a B grade in a full-year, first-year language course;
- by passing a Harvard College language placement exam (end of first year);
- in some cases, by passing a special departmental reading exam.
- by taking a class on Language Typology/Universals, Field Methods or ‘Structure of language X’, if not used to satisfy other requirements.

### Language Requirement Notes:

- The same language course cannot count toward both the concentration requirement and the language requirement. But a language course that does not count toward the language requirement can count as an elective linguistics course (i.e. as one of the additional courses in linguistics).
- Native speakers of a foreign language are normally not allowed to take courses of basic instruction in that language. Any such courses taken by a native speaker will not be counted toward the concentration requirement.



 

##  Thesis 

Required for Honors concentrators.

- Refer to [Honors Theses](/pages/honors-theses) page for details.



 

**NOTE:**

- Courses taken Pass/Fail may not be counted for concentration credit.
- Study Abroad: Courses taken abroad that are directly related to Linguistics count towards the relevant requirements. Please discuss your courses with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.