Linguistics

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The Linguistics Department emphasizes the study of language both as an abstract system and in its psychological and social contexts. In addition to introductory linguistics and courses in linguistic analysis, students take courses in psycholinguistics (language acquisition, processing and language disorders) and/or sociolinguistics (language and society). The undergraduate major in linguistics focuses on how the human mind structures, processes and acquires language as well as how similar communication goals are met by diverse means in the languages of the world. The major in Computational Linguistics introduces students to the emerging interdisciplinary field of Computational Linguistics, which provides the theoretical basis of many new technologies, such as speech recognition and dialog systems. Students are encouraged to pursue combined majors in Linguistics and Philosophy, Linguistics and Psychology, Linguistics and East Asian Languages and Cultures, and Computational Linguistics. A linguistics minor is also available and can be combined with other majors. Please contact the department adviser for more information. The Linguistics Department also offers graduate PhD programs. A wide range of courses allows students to study syntax, morphology, phonology, semantics, phonetics, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, universals and typology, speech therapy, and computational linguistics.

Grace Ford Salvatori 301
(213) 740-2986
FAX: (213) 740-9306
Email: lingdept@dornsife.usc.edu
dornsife.usc.edu/ling

Chair: Andrew Simpson, PhD

Faculty

Niki and Max Nikias Chair in Engineering and Andrew Viterbi Professor of Engineering, Professor of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Linguistics and Psychology: Shrikanth (Shri) Narayanan, PhD (Engineering)

Professors: Dani Byrd, PhD; Louis Goldstein, PhD; Audrey Li, PhD; Barry Schein, PhD; Andrew Simpson, PhD; Rachel Walker, PhD; Maria Luisa Zubizarreta, PhD; Bruce Zuckerman, PhD (Religion)

Associate Professors: Hajime Hoji, PhD; Khalil Iskarous, PhD; Elsi Kaiser, PhD; Toben Mintz, PhD (Psychology); Roumyana Pancheva, PhD; Jason Zevin, PhD (Psychology)

Assistant Professors: Stefan Keine, PhD; Stephanie Shih, PhD

Associate Professor (Teaching): Sandra Disner, PhD

Lecturer: Mary Byram Washburn, PhD

Emeritus Professor: Edward Finegan, PhD*

*Recipient of university-wide or college teaching award.

Graduate Degrees

The graduate program in linguistics trains individuals to engage in the scientific study of human language. Course work emphasizes the structural aspects of language. Students work closely with faculty members on problems in linguistic theory, the description of particular languages, and variation across different users and contexts, focusing on their implications for understanding cognitive structures relating to language.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the graduate program are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in linguistics or other appropriate field. Other requirements for admission include: a detailed statement of purpose with specific information about interests and goals, scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), and at least three letters of recommendation from academic sources.

Degree Requirements

These degrees are under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduation section and The Graduate School section of this catalogue for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degrees must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

Combined Major

Minor

Linguistics Minor

Master’s Degree

Linguistics (MA)

Doctoral Degree

Courses

Linguistics

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