Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Linguistics and Philosophy, visiting scholars and research fellows personnel records

Classes in linguistics were offered within the Department of Modern Languages at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in linguistics was first offered by that department in 1961-62. In 1965 the Department of Modern Languages became the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics and in 1969, the Department of Foreign Languages and Linguistics. Prior to 1964 philosophy was taught in the Department of Humanities. The Philosophy Section was formed when a Ph.D. program in philosophy was established in July 1971. In 1976 the curriculum in foreign languages and literatures became part of the responsibility of the Department of Humanities while the curriculum in linguistics became part of the Department of Philosophy to form the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy, Course XXIV. The merger of linguistics and philosophy established a center for the study of language and related cognitive areas. The heads of the departments which preceded the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy included: William F. Bottiglia, 1965 1969, Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics; William F. Bottiglia, 1969 1973, and James W. Harris, 1973 1976, Department of Foreign Literatures and Linguistics; and Richard L. Cartwright, 1971 1976, Department of Philosophy. The heads of the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy include: Morris Halle, acting head, 1976 1977; Samuel Jay Keyser, 1977 1985; Richard L. Cartwright, 1985 1989; Wayne O'Neil, acting head, 1989 1990, and head, 1990 present (as of 1995).