Admission requirements
None.
Description
This course introduces students to the linguistic diversity of the Middle East across space and time, from the earliest attested languages, such as Sumerian and Ancient Egyptian, to modern Turkish and Persian. Throughout this survey, we will focus on how these languages relate to each other, evolve, and go extinct. Students will also be introduced to genetic linguistics and methods of language classification. In addition to this, we will examine relevant socio-linguistic topics, such as the development of language ideologies, the development of communal dialects, socio-, and religiolects, and the connection between language, identity, and ethnicity. Upon completing this course, the student will have a holistic understanding of the linguistic history of the Middle East and will be conversant in historical linguistics.
Course objectives
Students gain an understanding of the linguistic diversity of the Middle East across space and time. They will be able to describe this diversity in historical linguistic terms, and discuss the relevant sociolinguistic issues.
Timetable
Mode of instruction
Lecture
Course load
Lecture: 2 contact hours per week = 13×2: 26 hours
Reading and BB discussion: 62 hours
12 home assignments, 12 x ca. 1 hours: 12 hours
Preparation of each exam: 2×20 hours: 40 hours
Assessment method
2 written examinations:
one multiple choice examination (wm) at the end of the first block (40%)
one written examination with essay questions (we) at the end of the second block (60%).
The individual exams cannot be retaken. If the average of both exams is 5.49 or lower, there is one opportunity for a resit of the entire course (100%).
The course is an integrated whole and must be completed in the same academic year. No partial marks can be carried over into following years
Reading list
- See Blackboard
Registration
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Studeren à la carte
Registration Contractonderwijs
Contact information
Remarks
Students with disabilities
The university is committed to supporting and accommodating students with disabilities as stated in the university protocol (especially pages 3-5). Students should contact Fenestra Disability Centre at least four weeks before the start of their courses to ensure that all necessary academic accomodations can be made in time conform the abovementioned protocol.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to be familiar with Leiden University policies on plagiarism and academic integrity. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you submit any work with your name affixed to it, it is assumed to be your own work with all sources used properly indicated and documented in the text (with quotations and/or citations).