Admission requirements
Previous knowledge of Indo-European linguistics and reading proficiency in German.
Description
We shall be reading a set of articles in English and German dedicated to a central problem of Indo-European reconstruction, viz. the question of where the Indo-European homeland was located, in which period, and when and in which way the different branches of Indo-European separated and migrated to their ultimate destinations. The discussion surrounding this issue has come under renewed interest from linguists and other scientists, and the results are of interest to the general public as much as to scientists. In this couse, we will pay attention, first of all, to the argumentation of the authors of the articles, and to the validity of their arguments. Secondly, we will discuss the formal organisation of the articles: how are the facts presented, how explicit is the argumentation, how does the author use references and footnotes, etc.
Course objectives
The main objective of the course is to teach students how to critically read scientific publications and how to write them.
Timetable
The timetable will be available by June 1st on the website.
Mode of instruction
Students are expected to attend the weekly seminars of the BA course Readings in Indo-European Linguistics (551XXX).
Reading list, which includes the articles read in the BA course but comprises additional reading each week.
A one-hour weekly tutorial in order to discuss the additional reading.
Course Load
time spent on attending seminars: 26 hours
time preparation of the classes: 104 hours
time to prepare for the final paper: 150 hours
Assessment Method
Final paper, containing a critical comparison of two different approaches to a problem of Indo-European reconstruction 100%
Blackboard
This course is supported by Blackboard.
Reading list
Articles to be read and supplementary literature will be distributed during the course.
Registration
Students should register through uSis. If you have any questions, please contact the departmental office, tel. 071 5272144 or mail: ma-linguistics@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Studeren à la carte via: www.hum.leidenuniv.nl/onderwijs/alacarte
Registration Contractonderwijs via: http://www.hum.leidenuniv.nl/onderwijs/contractonderwijs/
Contact
MA Linguistics departmental office, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 102C. Tel. 071 5272144; mail:ma-linguistics@hum.leidenuniv.nl