Admission requirements
BA in linguistics or a language. Knowledge of basic linguistic terminology is required. Assumed background: an introduction to linguistic typology, e.g. Velupillai, Viveka (2012), An Introduction to Linguistic Typology. Amsterdam: Benjamins.
Description
In this course, languages exhibiting typological differences and similarities will be studied from a cross-linguistic perspective. Some major current approaches to language universals and typology will be discussed.
Course objectives
- To learn about how methods for comparing languages have developed during the last 100+ years.
- To acquire overviews of advances in the understanding of cross-linguistic diversity in different areas of language structure, such as phonological inventories, the noun phrase, alignment, word order, and complex sentences.
- To learn methods of making typological samples and carrying out quantitative analyses them.
- To get to understand the importance of diachronic processes for the worldwide distribution of linguistic features.
Timetable
The timetable is available on the MA Linguistics website
Mode of instruction
Lecture and seminar
Course Load
time spent on attending lectures: 28 hours
time for studying the compulsory literature: 112 hours
time for completing assignments: 20 hours
time to write a paper (including reading/research): 120 hours
Assessment Method
During the course the students hand do two oral presentations of literature studied 30%; Final essay 70%
Blackboard
Course materials will be distributed using Blackboard
Reading list
Song, Jae Jung (2001) Linguistic Typology: Morphology and Syntax. London and New York: Routledge.
Many additional articles and book chapters will be made available through Blackboard.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available in [English])http://hum.leiden.edu/students/study-administration/usis-english.html) and Dutch
When registering, students that are registered for the specialisation that this course belongs to, or the Research Master, take priority. The deadline for registration is August 15. All other students should contact the “coordinator of studies”:http://hum.leiden.edu/linguistics/advice-linguistics/.
Students other than MA Linguistics need permission from the coordinator of studies before enrolling.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable
Contact
Please contact Student administration van Eyckhof for questions.