Linguistics
AA Degree World Languages & Global Studies · Mt. San Antonio College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Humanities and Social Sciences Division
World Languages Department
The goal of the Associate of Arts in Linguistics is to provide students with a strong foundation in the study of language. Students in this program will examine aspects of language structure, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics, and will explore topics stemming from sociolinguistics and historical linguistics in order to evaluate language variation and change. Overall, the program imparts comprehensive knowledge of core linguistic principles and encourages the appreciation of linguistic and cultural diversity.
The degree will integrate with the study of foreign languages, the humanities, ethnic studies, and social justice, allowing students to embrace a broader understanding of language and its socio-cultural significance. Appreciating the human experience of language and acknowledging the political forces that drive its development will provide students with cultural competencies vital for succeeding in an ever-evolving, diverse, and global society. Finally, the study of linguistics promotes awareness of how language shapes identity and social dynamics, fostering inclusivity and effective communication in multicultural societies.
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| LING 1 | Introduction to Linguistic Analysis | 3 |
| LING 4 | Introduction to World Languages | 3 |
| Select 8 Units of Sequential Courses in One Language: | 8 | |
| ARAB 1 | Elementary Arabic | |
| ARAB 2 | Continuing Elementary Arabic | |
| CHIN 1 | Elementary Chinese | |
| CHIN 2 | Continuing Elementary Chinese | |
| CHIN 3 | Intermediate Chinese | |
| CHIN 4 | Continuing Intermediate Chinese | |
| FRCH 1 | Elementary French | |
| FRCH 2 | Continuing Elementary French | |
| FRCH 3 | Intermediate French | |
| FRCH 4 | Continuing Intermediate French | |
| GERM 1 | Elementary German | |
| GERM 2 | Continuing Elementary German | |
| GERM 3 | Intermediate German | |
| ITAL 1 | Elementary Italian | |
| ITAL 2 | Continuing Elementary Italian | |
| ITAL 3 | Intermediate Italian | |
| ITAL 4 | Continuing Intermediate Italian | |
| KORE 1 | Elementary Korean | |
| KORE 2 | Continuing Elementary Korean | |
| KORE 3 | Intermediate Korean | |
| KORE 4 | Continuing Intermediate Korean | |
| LATN 1 | Elementary Latin | |
| orLATN 1H | Elementary Latin - Honors | |
| LATN 2 | Continuing Elementary Latin | |
| orLATN 2H | Continuing Elementary Latin - Honors | |
| JAPN 1 | Elementary Japanese | |
| JAPN 2 | Continuing Elementary Japanese | |
| JAPN 3 | Intermediate Japanese | |
| JAPN 4 | Continuing Intermediate Japanese | |
| JAPN 5 | Advanced Japanese | |
| SIGN 101 | American Sign Language 1 | |
| orSIGN 101H | American Sign Language 1 - Honors | |
| SIGN 102 | American Sign Language 2 | |
| SIGN 103 | American Sign Language 3 | |
| SIGN 104 | American Sign Language 4 | |
| SIGN 105 | American Sign Language 5 | |
| SPAN 1 | Elementary Spanish | |
| orSPAN 1S | Spanish for the Spanish Speaking | |
| SPAN 2 | Continuing Elementary Spanish | |
| orSPAN 2S | Continuing Spanish for the Spanish Speaking | |
| SPAN 3 | Intermediate Spanish | |
| SPAN 4 | Continuing Intermediate Spanish | |
| Select Six Units from the following List: | 6 | |
| LING 2 | Languages, Gender, and Power | |
| LING 3 | Languages, Cultures, and Writing in East Asia | |
| LING 5 | Language, Context, and Data | |
| LING 6 | Latin and Greek in Modern Language and Science | |
| PHIL 3 | Introduction to Logic | |
| orPHIL 3H | Introduction to Logic - Honors | |
| Total Units | 20 | |
Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program students should be able to:
- Identify the phonological, morphological, syntactic, and semantic components of language. Students will recognize and apply linguistic notions pertaining to sounds, words, grammar, and meaning.
- Examine language change and linguistic reconstruction of language families. Students will illustrate principles of linguistic change and apply the comparative method to reconstruct language families.
- Assess the significance of context and culture in relation to language. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of pragmatics and culture as it pertains to language.
- Evaluate the role and use of language in society. Students will examine social aspects of language, analyzing the role played by politics, education, gender, and group identity.
- Interrogate the correlation between language, cognition, and environment. Students will explore interdisciplinary approaches to the origin of language, language acquisition, and the human nature of languages.
Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.