General linguistics

Academic year: 2010-2011 Course code module FLWTL00010 Semester: 1st semester Credits: 6 Study load (hours) 168 Theory (hours): 45,00 Practice/Exercises(hours): Other (hours): Part-time program: 1/2 Instructor(s) Walter De Mulder Language of instruction: Dutch Semester exam information: exam in the 1st semester Contract restriction information: 1. Prerequisites *Algemene competenties None, except knowledge of basic grammatical notions, corresponding to what students have learned at an average Flemish secondary school. *Sequentiality None 2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes) Students - gain insight into the aims and methods of linguistics; - acquire knowledge of the basic notions of the different subfields of linguistics; - get an overview of the different subfields of linguistics and their mutual relationships; - gain insight into the relation of linguistics to other sciences; - acquire basic understanding of the history of linguistics.   3. Course content This course provides a general introduction to linguistics. The introduction offers a definition of general linguistics and tackles general issues such as "The essential properties of human language", "Language families", "Language universals" and "Linguistic relativity". The course then presents an overview of the  core areas of linguistics and their basic concepts: 1) Phonetics and phonology (sounds and sound structure); 2) Morphology (the structure of words); 3) Lexical semantics (the meanings of words and their components); 4) Syntax (constructions and sentence structure); 5) Semantics and pragmatics (the interpretations and uses of sentences and utterances). Each chapter contains short presentations of relevant parts of the history of linguistics.   4. Teaching method Direct contact: Lectures Personal work: Exercises Assignments - individual Assignments - in group Supervised self-study 5. Assessment method Exam: Written, without oral presentation Closed book Open questions 6. Compulsory reading – study material De Mulder, Walter (2010). Algemene Taalkunde. 7. Recommended reading - study material Information about recommended readings will be provided during lectures. Students can also find a list of references in De Mulder (2010). 8. Tutoring Office hours will be posted, but students can also, at any moment, make an appointment with the instructor. laatste aanpassing: last update: 28/09/2010 10:52 walter.demulder