B.A. Programs in the Department of Foreign Literatures and Linguistics
The Department of Foreign Literatures and Linguistics offers B.A. studies -- conducted entirely in English -- in two main fields: English Literature and Linguistics. Students may study either field independently or combine the two. The schedules of the two programs are coordinated so that students who choose this combination can complete both without course conflicts.
Students in all departmental study programs are exempt from the university English-language requirement, provided that they complete their departmental degree requirements. The exemption is updated upon completion of the department’s requirements, normally by the end of the first semester of the third year.
English Literature
The English Literature program focuses on literary texts written in English, especially British and American literature. The program helps students develop familiarity with the history of English literature, acquire tools for analyzing and interpreting literary texts, and understand literature in relation to other fields. The program offers courses in interdisciplinary approaches to literary studies, literary genres and traditions, and literary theory. Students also encounter a wide range of theoretical perspectives, including feminism, queer theory, gender studies, postcolonial studies, race and Indigenous studies, psychoanalysis, disability studies, translation studies, ecocriticism, performance and theater studies, cultural studies, critical pedagogy, and more.
Programs & Structure
Students in this program combine 54 credits in English Literature with 54 credits in another department or program. This framework provides a strong B.A.-level foundation in English Literature while allowing students to develop expertise in another field.
The department especially recommends combinations that allow students to connect literary study with broader humanistic and social-scientific questions, such as English Literature with Psychology, Politics and Government, Sociology and Anthropology, History, or Philosophy. Students may also combine English Literature with relevant minors and programs, such as Gender Studies or Communication
First Year:
- Prose fiction
- Poetry
- Drama
- Academic writing
- The Western literary tradition
- English-language skills
Second Year:
- Historical surveys of English and American literature
- Literary theory
- Elective courses
Third Year:
- Advanced literary courses
- Seminars & seminar papers
Students in this program take English Literature as their major field and combine it with a 28 credits minor. The minor may be taken in another department or program, according to faculty regulations and the requirements of the relevant unit.
First Year:
Foundational courses which introduce students to central literary genres and provide tools for close reading, academic writing, and literary analysis.
- Introduction to Prose Fiction
- Academic Writing
- Introduction to Poetry
- Introduction to Drama
- Roots of the Western Literary Tradition
- English Skills Workshop
Second Year:
- Surveys of English and American literature
- Literary theory
- Elective courses
Third year:
- Two seminars, each requiring a seminar paper
- The required survey of twentieth-century literature
- Additional electives, according to the program requirements
The 28 credits minor is intended for students whose main degree program is in another department but who wish to gain a solid foundation in English Literature. This program is especially suitable for students who want to add literary and cultural study to another field of specialization.
Students take:
- Required introductory courses
- Elective courses
These courses introduce students to:
- Literary genres
- Literary traditions
- Methods of literary analysis
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. The B.A. program in Linguistics provides students with a foundation in theoretical and applied linguistics. Students study areas such as syntax, semantics, and phonology, language acquisition, psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, computational linguistics, and more. The program is especially suitable for students interested in how language is structured and processed, and in how the study of language contributes to understanding human cognition.
Programs & Structure
Students in this program combine 54 credits in Linguistics with 54 creditsts in another department or program. This framework provides a strong foundation in linguistics at the B.A. level while allowing students to specialize in an additional field.
The program is particularly appropriate for students interested in combining language study with fields such as psychology, philosophy, cognitive science, computer science, education, or English literature.A recommended two-department combination is Linguistics and Psychology. This combination is intended for students interested in the cognitive aspects of language use, including language acquisition.
Linguistics is also part of the cluster of fields connected with cognitive science. Students may combine Linguistics with Brain and Cognitive Sciences according to the relevant program requirements.
Students begin with introductory courses in core areas, such as:
- Syntax
- Semantics
Students then continue with:
- Required courses
- Advanced courses
- Electives
- Seminars
Students in this program take Linguistics as their major field and combine it with a 28 credits minor. The minor may be taken in another department or program, according to faculty regulations and the requirements of the relevant unit. The program includes the following stages:
First year:
Students begin with foundational courses in linguistics, including:
- Introduction to Linguistics
- Introduction to Syntax
- Introduction to Semantics
- English skills workshop
Second and third years:
Students continue with core courses in syntax, semantics, and phonology. In the third year, students take:
- Advanced courses
- Seminars & seminar work
Admission to the 80 credits major in Linguistics is possible after successful completion of the first year, subject to the required grade average in the introductory courses and the approval of the departmental teaching committee
The 28 credits minor in Linguistics is designed for students whose main field is in another department but who wish to acquire a basic foundation in the scientific study of language.
The minor is especially suitable for students in fields that connect naturally with language and cognition, such as psychology, philosophy, computer science, cognitive science, education, or literature.
Students take:
- Introductory courses in linguistics
- Courses in syntax
- Courses in semantics
- Advanced core courses
- A seminar
Preparation for a Teaching Certificate in English
The Department of Foreign Literatures and Linguistics is responsible for the linguistic and language-related component of the teaching certificate program for teachers of English. Students who are interested in pursuing a teaching certificate are advised to study the two-department programs in English Literature and Linguistics.
Students who complete relevant departmental courses may receive exemptions from corresponding teaching-certificate requirements, according to the requirements published for that year.
