The Department of Linguistics at the University of Chicago is the oldest in the country. Founded in the 1930s, the department is committed to interdisciplinary and interdepartmental study, while still maintaining its distinctive investment in theory and the empirical study of language. In addition to linguistics courses, language courses in American Sign Language, Basque, Modern Greek, and Swahili are taught through the department. MAPH students interested in linguistics may take the bulk of their elective coursework through the department, but they may also be interested in coursework in Comparative Literature, East Asian Languages and Civilizations, and Language Study.
Selected Faculty
Sample Courses
Language in Society (LING 36002) Autumn 2026
This course is an introduction to sociolinguistics, the study of language in its social context. We will look at variation at all levels of language and how this variation constructs and is constructed by identity and culture, including relationships between language and social class, language and gender, and language and ethnicity. We will also discuss language attitudes and ideologies, as well as some of the educational, political, and social repercussions of language variation and standardization. (Anna-Marie Sprengerg)
Sociophonetics (LING 31720) Winter 2027
Variation is a ubiquitous feature of speech, yet much of the variation observed is non-random. This class will examine this type of structured heterogeneity (Weinreich et al., 1968) from the point of view of sociophonetics. We will focus on the interrelationships between phonetic/phonological form and social factors such as speaking style and the background of the speaker, with a particular interest in explaining the origins and transmission of linguistic change. Our goals will be to (a) acquire the phonetic and phonological foundation necessary to conduct sociophonetic research through practical exercises; (b) survey new sociolinguistic research that addresses issues in phonetic and phonological theories and (c) locate and explain phonetic variation in its social context while drawing on current approaches to the relationship between language and society. (Melissa Baese-Berk)
The Language of Deception and Humor (LING 33920) Spring 2027
In this course we will examine the language of deception and humor from a variety of perspectives: historical, developmental, neurological, and cross-cultural, and in a variety of contexts: fiction, advertising, politics, courtship, and everyday conversation. We will focus on the (linguistic) knowledge and skills that underlie the use of humor and deception and on what sorts of things they are used to communicate. (Jason Riggle)
A complete listing of offerings is available at the Department’s course page.
Linguistics Specialization
The Linguistics Specialization allows students to structure their coursework and thesis around the study of Linguistics within MAPH. Students who complete the following requirements will receive a Linguistics transcript notation:
- MAPH Core Course (Foundations of Interpretive Theory)
- 5 graduate-level courses in Linguistics, 3 of which must come from the list of the grad foundational courses in Linguistics
- For any grad/undergrad cross-listed courses, students need to consult with the DGS whether the course will count towards their specialization
Please direct any questions you may have about specializing in Linguistics to maph-support@uchicago.edu.
Recent Linguistics Thesis Projects
"A Crosslinguistic Investigation of Multiple Wh-Fronting: Toward a Unified Analysis"
Azuri Lorig, MAPH '26
Advisor: Erik Zyman
"The Construction of Identity in Computer-Mediated Communication, a Case Study of r/AskMen"
Lourdes Benencia Courreges, MAPH '26
Advisor: Constantine Nakassis
"Financing Femininity: A Linguistic and Semiotic Analysis of Girl Math"
Kira McComb, MAPH '26
Advisor: Constantine Nakassis