Admission requirements
Introductory (BA-level) courses in generative linguistics.
Description
Our focus in this course is on the internal structure of words. We start with the following question: “What exactly is a word?” We will try to find an answer to this question by examining a selection of unrelated languages. Furthermore, we will analyse a wide range of possible word-formation processes. Which aspects pose a challenge for linguistic analyses and how do current morphological theories contribute to a better underdstanding of what human language actually is?
Course objectives
Insight into a number of recent developments in theoretical linguistics.
Insight into the importance of data in morphological theorising.
Insight into the structural aspects of word-formation processes.
Timetable
The timetable is available on the MA Linguistics website
Mode of instruction
Weekly two-hour seminar.
Course Load
Total course load: 130 hours
Time spent on attending seminars: 6 x 2 = 12 hours
Time spent on studying the compulsory literature: 68 hours
Time spent on preparing the presentation and final essay: 50 hours
Assessment method
Assessment
Presentation, in-term assignments, classroom participation (20%)
Final essay (80%)
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. In order to pass the course, a minimum of a 5.5 is required for the final essay.
Resit
If the mark for the essay is a 5.49 or lower, a resit essay must be submitted during the resit exam period, with a new topic. There is no resit for presentations and in-term assignments.
Inspection and feedback
Students are entitled to view their marked essay within a period of 30 days, following publication of the results.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for general information pertaining to the course, e.g. the course programme, the presentation schedule, in-term assignments, etc.
Reading list
Mark Aronoff & Kirsten Fudeman (2011). What is Morphology? (2nd edition). Blackwell.
Additional reading material (to be made available)
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable
Contact
Please contact Student administration van Eyckhof for questions.
The coordinator of studies is Else van Dijk
Remarks
All other information.