Program Overview
Linguists study the nature of language—what it is and how it works. Students who major in linguistics analyze the structure of sounds, words, and sentences, how meaning is expressed and understood, and how language is used in different contexts and communities. They also pursue applied study in areas like the structures of English, second language acquisition, and bilingualism, and they may choose electives in areas like language and culture or machine learning (the basis of AI). The linguistics major also includes a requirement for language study, which many students complete through study abroad. In the senior seminar, students pursue their own linguistics projects, presenting their work to fellow students and faculty in the program.
Program Highlights
Study Linguistics in a Distinctive Program
Join one of the few linguistics majors offered by a private college—and the only program of its kind in Wisconsin.
Explore Language Across Disciplines
Learn from faculty in languages, philosophy, data science, anthropology, education, and other fields to understand language from multiple perspectives.
Build a Path Around Your Interests
Combine linguistics with areas such as language and culture, mathematics, computer science, data science, anthropology, psychology, or music.
Learn Language Through Immersion
Study abroad in a place where your chosen language is spoken and deepen your cultural understanding through firsthand experience.
Spotlight
Student Perspective
“When you’re [in Jordan], you’re constantly pushing yourself, constantly extending yourself in new situations, extending yourself to communicate. I learned to trust the progress I had made. … I can communicate using this language more than I thought I could.”
Sela Dombrower ’24, Student
Linguistics
Boulder, Colorado
Types of Degrees
Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts with a major or minor in Linguistics. The Linguistics program also offers a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language, which can be completed with any major, including Linguistics. The Teaching ESL minor prepares students to teach English to language learners in the U.S. and other countries.
Advising
At Lawrence, academic advising helps you shape an educational experience that reflects your interests, goals, and aspirations. Your faculty advisor will support you as you plan your path, connect with campus resources and communities, and make informed decisions that prepare you for a meaningful and fulfilling future.
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Faculty
Engage deeply and collaboratively with professors who are experts in their field and committed to supporting your education.
Chairs
Bob Williams
Professor of Education, Director of Teacher Education, Director of the Linguistics Program
robert.f.williams@lawrence.edu
I'm a cognitive scientist who studies how people construct meaning in interaction, with a focus on how we use our hands to express thoughts and guide the thinking of others. …
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Akimi Adler (She/her)
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Japanese
Courses I teach: 1st-year Japanese (CHJA111 Beginning Japanese I, CHJA112 – Beginning Japanese II, CHJA211 Beginning Intermediate Japanese)Intro to Japanese Language & Culture (CHJA-/EAST-/LING265) The History of Japanese Language (CHJA-/ LING365/EAST377)Second…
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Cecile C. Despres-Berry (she/her)
Instructor in English as a Second Language and Director of the Waseda Program
cecile.c.despres-berry@lawrence.edu
As the Director of ESL and the Waseda and Pathway Programs I work with multilingual students who wish to develop any English skill. I teach University courses focused on the…
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Scott Dixon (he)
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Areas of Research and Teaching: Metaphysics, Logic, Philosophies of Language, Mathematics, Music, and Religion.Recent Publications: "Accessibility and Relative Fundamentality", Philosophical Studies (2026); "Plural Expression and Converse Relations, Analysis (2025); "How…
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Alexandra Galambosh
Visiting Assistant Professor of French
alexandra.galambosh@lawrence.edu
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Victor Garre Leon
Assistant Professor of Spanish
I am an applied linguist who specializes in the areas of Pragmatics and Second Language Acquisition, particularly in the context of interaction. My research explores the development of second language…
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Mark Phelan
Professor of Philosophy
Areas of Research and Teaching: Epistemology, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Language (Production and Comprehension), Cognitive Science, and Social Philosophy. Recent Publications: "Attribution functionalism" Mind and Language (2026); "Norm manipulation as…
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Kuo-ming Sung (he)
Wendy and K.K. Tse Professor of East Asian Studies and Professor of Chinese and Linguistics
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