LinguisticsSubject regulations

Linguistics is the scientific study of language in all its facets. Language is a fundamentally important aspect of human life, and impinges on virtually everything that we do. Thus, Linguistics is a study which shares interests with a very wide range of other disciplines, and usefully complements a variety of other subject areas, such as the language subjects, Philosophy, Education, Sociology, Social Anthropology, Psychology and Artificial Intelligence.

Linguistics is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Linguistics may also be taken as a second major or minor, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Linguistics as a single major for the BA and BSocSc, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Linguistics, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must include ARTSC105, LINGS201 or LINGS202, and LINGS301, LINGS302 and LINGS303.

To complete Linguistics as part of a double major for the BA, BSocSc or other undergraduate degrees, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Linguistics, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must include ARTSC105, LINGS201 or LINGS202, and LINGS302 and LINGS303.

To complete a minor in Linguistics, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Linguistics major, including at least 30 points above 100 level, including either LINGS201 or LINGS202.

Note: It is recommended that students intending to take Linguistics as a major or minor, include a language skills paper in a language other than their first language in their programme of study. Such a paper would not count as a Linguistics paper for the purpose of the degree regulations.

Note:

There will be no new enrolments in the Linguistics major or second major from 2025. The minor in Linguistics will still be available for new enrolments.

It is recommended that students intending to major in Linguistics include ARTSC105 in the first year of their programme of study in order to meet prerequisites for study at 200 level and above.

Other qualifications

Prescriptions for:

A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Linguistics at an advanced level in their first degree.
For further details, contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office.
[1] The GradCert(Ling) and GradDip(Ling) will not be offered in 2025.
The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

Linguistics papers

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
ARTSC105Language in Context Language in Context is an essential paper for students of a broad range of disciplines where language and communication are a focus. Students are...	15	25B (Online)
ARTSC112Music, Sound and Human Communication Every day we communicate using complex linguistic and musical systems. This paper will explore the role of sound and music in human communication and...	15	25B (Online)
COMMS101Communication Competencies This paper introduces students to the significance and meaning associated with our everyday communication choices. From traditional face-to-face...	15	25B (Hamilton)
ENGLI100Telling the Story This paper examines the deep stories which are at the core of the English literary tradition and the wider Western canon, using picturebooks...	15	25A (Hamilton)
INTLC101International Languages and Cultures This paper introduces students to major world cultures and their languages in a comparative context. Students will gain a critical understanding of...	15	25B (Online) & 25G (Online)
MEDIA100Understanding Visual Culture Our lives are dominated by still and moving images and visual technologies. This paper will constitute an important first step in learning to...	15	25A (Hamilton)
WRITE100Writing for Academic Success The paper gives opportunities for undergraduate students to develop their academic literacy skills. It begins with general academic communication and...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online) & 25A (Tauranga) & 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Online) & 25G (Hamilton) & 25JS (Hamilton) & 25JS (Online) & 25JS (Tauranga)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
LINGS201Language Analysis This paper provides a detailed introduction to phonology and morphology. Students develop analytic skills and discuss theoretical issues related to...	15	25A (Hamilton)
LINGS203Language, Society and Culture In this paper, we explore cultural diversity through language. We develop understandings of the way that language both reflects, and is used to...	15	25A (Hamilton)
LINGS204Language of Social Media This paper introduces students to the study of language in the genre of social media, using linguistics theory and concepts.	15	25G (Online)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
LINGS301Research Apprenticeship This paper provides students with an opportunity to pursue an extended research project, in a sub-discipline of linguistics or anthropology (e.g...	15	25B (Hamilton)
LINGS302Comparative Linguistics This paper concerns the study of linguistic diversity, with an emphasis on the morphosyntactic analysis of lesser-known languages. Current...	15	25A (Hamilton)
LINGS303Sociolinguistics This paper teaches major methods and principles of sociolinguistic investigation, including the study of accents and dialects; language variation...	15	25A (Hamilton)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
LINGS800Linguistics MPhil Thesis	120	25X (Hamilton)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
LINGS900Linguistics PhD Thesis	120	25I (Hamilton) & 25J (Hamilton) & 25K (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton)

2025 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 9 Apr 2025 01:00am

LinguisticsSubject regulations

Other qualifications

GradCert(Ling) and GradDip(Ling)[1]

MPhil

PhD

Linguistics papers