Declaration and Orientation

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Declaration and Orientation

It is essential that students formally declare the major (or minor) early in their academic career, so that they will have access to the advising resources they need to complete the program in a measured and maximally beneficial way. The best way to make sure that you will be able to complete the requirements for your degree in the time allotted is to work out a comprehensive plan as soon as you have chosen to major in Linguistics or in Language Studies. The best way to do this, in turn, is to officially declare the major, a process designed to ensure that your schedule is the result of good planning.

The declaration process works as follows:

1. Print a declaration form off your portal, and meet with an academic preceptor in your college to fill out and sign off on the first section of the form.
2. The next step is to attend one of the department's Declaration and Orientation Meetings (sign-up sheets for these meetings are posted regularly outside the department office).
3. Arrive at the meeting with your signed declaration form and a draft of your quarterly schedule. The Major Declaration Worksheets (see the side menu for downloadable versions) will help you in this process. Staff and peer advisors will then help you to fine-tune your quarterly schedule, talk to you about any special problems or challenges, and sign off on your declaration form.

Tips for Planning Your Program

Here are three rules of thumb to keep in mind when embarking on your major in Linguistics or Language Studies:

• Determine how many language courses you need in order to fulfill your language requirement. (Linguistics majors can opt to satisfy the math requirement instead.) Begin any necessary language instruction as soon as possible.
• Take at least one introductory linguistics course in your first year, and plan to take at least syntax and phonology in your second year. If linguistics is not for you, you should find this out early, in order to consider a change in your plans.
• Plan to complete the bulk of your general education requirements early on. The sophomore, junior, and senior years can fill up quickly with major requirements (even more so if you are planning to study abroad). Also, as GE's are often lower division courses, it can be frustrating to have to take them in the final quarters of your career, when you would like to take more advanced courses.

Declaration and Orientation Meetings for Fall 2009

Please note that students must sign up in advance for these meetings. Up to 10 students can be accommodated on each occasion. Sign-up sheets are posted on the bulletin board outside 241 Stevenson (Ashley's office).