Linguistics

Linguistics is the scientific study of patterns in natural human languages. The Linguistics Program, part of the Center for Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Culture, is rather small (only one full-time professor), but there are a variety of courses available, and it's even possible to create a Contract Major focused on Linguistics. Linguistics offers an interesting, and often surprising, perspective on language, and its interdisciplinary nature makes it suitable for people with a broad range of interests. In particular, though Linguistics is categorized as Div.I, many people find the abstract thinking in many branches of Linguistics to be more like Div.III.