Applied Linguistics Minor

About the Minor

The minor in Applied Linguistics emphasizes language acquisition and language use in foreign and second-language settings. Applied Linguistics is concerned with increasing the understanding of the role of language in human affairs and thereby with providing the knowledge necessary for those who are responsible for making language-related decisions, whether the need arises in the healthcare setting, courtroom, classroom, or laboratory. Students learn to evaluate theory and research in different areas of the field, including second-language studies and sociolinguistics. Required introductory courses provide the necessary foundation for advanced classes. Courses at all levels include the critical analysis of different theories, conceptual models, and research methodologies. Students of Applied Linguistics may engage in international or domestic studies that involve research projects with faculty members from Public Health, Global Studies, Law, Business, Anthropology, Education and Engineering. 

Specifically, the minor in Applied Linguistics at Washington University meets the increasing domestic and international demand for positions that involve linguistically and culturally diverse people in the United States and around the world. The minor is suitable for students who wish to pursue graduate studies or advanced degrees in Public Health, Medicine, Law, Business, Engineering, Applied Linguistics, Global Studies, Psychological & Brain Sciences, Education, and more.

 

Cindy Brantmeier at the National Strategic Language Initiative

A short video featuring Cindy Brantmeier's work as a plenary for Urdu, Pashtu, Persian and Chinese for the National Strategic Language Initiative.

Missour-ee or Missour-uh? Talking about talking in St. Louis and beyond

Minor Requirements and Courses

Units required: 15

All students participating in the minor must have a declared primary major. 

Minors must receive a grade of C+ or higher in all Applied Linguistics courses; all courses taken for APL credit must be taken for a letter grade, including language courses.

Required courses (courses taught in English unless otherwise indicated); 6 credits total:

Linguistics and Language Learning (APL 4111)
Introduction to Linguistics (LING 1600)

Courses on language acquisition (choose one); 3 credits:  

Second Language Acquisition & Technology (APL 4023)
Reading Across Languages and Cultures: Theory, Research and Practice (APL 4692)
Global Health and Language (GLOBAL 3006)
Second-Language Acquisition (LING 4062)
Debating Cultures. How Spanish Works (SPAN 3202)
Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics (course taught in Spanish) (SPAN 370)
Advanced Grammar and Syntax (SPAN 4110) [taught in Spanish]
Grammar and Vocabulary Acquisition (SPAN 4670)

Courses on language use (choose one); 3 credits:

The Linguistic Legacy of the African Slave Trade in Interdisciplinary Perspective (AFAS 2050)
Emerging Africa: Language, Identity and Social Change (AFAS 3385)
Language, Culture and Society (ANTHRO 3386)
World-wide Translation: Language, Culture, Technology (COMPLIT 3203)
Global Health and Language (GLOBAL 3006)
Intercultural Communication (GLOBAL 3248)
Children of Immigrants: Identity and Acculturation (GLOBAL 4036)
Linguistics for Legal Purposes(LING 2225)
Introduction to Sociolinguistics (LING 3075)
Linguistic Diversity in the United States (LING 3185)

Electives (choose one. Courses may be taken from above lists or from the list below); 3 credits:

Independent Research Study (APL 3900)
Independent Research Study (APL 4900)
Educational Psychology (EDUC 3040)
History of Education in the United States (EDUC 4450)
History of the English Language (ELIT 4154)
"Model Minority": The Asian American Experience (GLOBAL 3512)
Phonetics (LING 3050)
Introduction to Computational Linguistics (LING 3250)
Introduction to Semantics (LING 3450)
Introduction to Social Psychology (PSYCH 3150)
Language Acquisition (PSYCH 3580)
Cognitive Psychology Applied to Education (PSYCH 4302)
Psychology of Language (PSYCH 4330)
The Development of Social Cognition (PSYCH 4591)
Spanish Phonetics, Phonology and Dialectology (SPAN 4170)

**Under certain circumstances, students may count toward their minor a limited number of relevant classes not listed above. Such circumstances include study abroad. Students are required to complete both LING 1600 and APL 4111 prior to applying for study abroad. Select study abroad programs are approved for the APL minor. A specific plan of study must be worked out in advance with the advisor in the Applied Linguistics program.

Use the WORKSHEET to track your progress!

I graduated in 2018 with dual degrees in Applied Linguistics and Spanish, and was also pre-med. I will spend the next year as an English Teaching Assistant in Aguascalientes, AGS, Mexico through the Fulbright-García Robles Fellowship Program. My academic background has helped me develop a practical understanding of how language and culture affect relationships, which will be an invaluable asset to me in my future career as a physician.

―Stephanie Peres-da-SilvaAB '18