Master
2020/2021
Introduction to Linguistics
Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'
Type:
Bridging course (Linguistic Theory and Language Description)
Area of studies:
Fundamental and Applied Linguistics
Delivered by:
School of Linguistics
Where:
Faculty of Humanities
When:
1 year, 2 module
Mode of studies:
distance learning
Master’s programme:
Linguistic Theory and Language Description
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
4
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Everywhere, every day, everybody uses language. There is no human society, no matter how small or how isolated, which does not employ a language that is rich and diverse. This course introduces you to linguistics, featuring interviews with well-known linguists and with speakers of many different languages. Join us to explore the miracles of human language! The Miracles of Human Language introduces you to the many-faceted study of languages, which has amazed humans since the beginning of history. Together with speakers of many other languages around the world, as well as with famous linguists such as Noam Chomsky and Adele Goldberg, you will learn to understand and analyse how your native tongue is at the same time similar and different from many other languages. You will learn the basic concepts of linguistics, get to know some of the key features of big and small languages and get insight into what linguists do. This course gives an introduction into the study of languages, the field of linguistics. With the support of the basic linguistic terminology that is offered in the course, you will soon be able to comment both on variety between languages, as well as on a single language’s internal structure. Anyone who wishes to understand how languages work, and how they can give us insight into the human mind is very welcome to join. The course is useful if you want to get a fairly quick introduction into linguistics, for instance because you are considering studying it further, or because you are interested in a neighbouring discipline such as psychology, computer science or anthropology. Furthermore, the course will help you develop analytical skills.
Learning Objectives
- introduction to key notions of modern linguistics
- acquaintance with goals and methods of modern linguistics
- introduction to main theories of modern linguistics
Expected Learning Outcomes
- understands the main concepts and terms of modern linguistics
- understands the key principles of language research within modern linguistics
- is able to read and critically assess current linguistics literature
- is able to make empirical observations and theoretical generalizations (in English)
Course Contents
- Main concepts of modern phonetics
- Main concepts of modern morphology
- Main concepts of modern syntax
- Main concepts of modern semantics
Interim Assessment
- Interim assessment (2 module)0.4 * Exam + 0.3 * Home assignments + 0.3 * Participation
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Velupillai, V. (2012). An Introduction to Linguistic Typology. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=473816
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Timberlake, A., Nichols, J., Peterson, D. A., Bickel, B., & Grenoble, L. A. (2013). Language Typology and Historical Contingency : In Honor of Johanna Nichols. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=668042