Prospectus

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Advanced Topics in Indo-European Phonology

Course
2024-2025

Admission requirements

A solid basis in Indo-European historical grammar, as shown for example by having successfully completed the BA track Comparative Indo-European Linguistics.

Description

In this course, we study fundamental issues of the reconstruction of Proto-Indo-European phonology. Among the topics treated are:

  • the problem of *a and *b;

  • the lengthened grade;

  • the (plain) velar stops;

  • phonotactics.

Special attention will be paid to the difference between phonetics and phonology; the methodology for reconstructing allophony (as for the RUKI rule, for instance); and methods to distinguish between shared and parallel developments.

Course objectives

After this course, students are able to

  • apply the methods of historical linguistics to complex problems of the reconstruction of Proto-Indo-European phonology;

  • clearly represent, both orally and in writing, arguments for and against selected phonological reconstructions;

  • distinguish more profoundly between phonology and phonetics in reconstruction.

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

Seminar

Assessment method

Presentation in class; moderation of a paper presentation; and a final paper

Weighing

The presentation counts for 25%; the moderation for 5%; and the final paper for 70% of the final mark.

The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.

Resit

If the quality of the paper is insufficient, there will be an opportunity to hand in an improved version.

Inspection and feedback

How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.

Reading list

The articles and books to be studied will be communicated through Brightspace.

Registration

Enrolment through My Studymap is mandatory.

General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.

Registration Exchange

For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.

Contact

  • For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.

  • For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Reuvensplaats

Remarks