Saint-Louis University - Bruxelles
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GERM1221 - English: Linguistics II



ECTS - Credits : 3,5

Lecturer :
Mode of delivery :
Face-to-face , first and second term, 60 hours of theory.

Timetable :
Language of instruction :
The course is taught in English.

Learning outcomes :
On the one hand, the course aims to introduce students to the different aspects of English linguistics in general (brief overview of the various fields and basic terminology) and, on the other hand, to enable students to develop a thorough knowledge in the field of English syntax (an essentially synchronic approach). The course also aims to introduce students to the reading of scientific linguistics articles and to train them to be able to draft scholarly texts in that field.

Prerequisites and co-requisites / Recommended optional programme components :
To be in second year BAC.

Course contents :
After a brief overview of the various fields of English linguistics and an introduction to the terminology used in linguistics, the course covers the basic notions of English syntax (grammatical categories, syntactic functions, syntagms, sentences, etc). The course also deals with the representation of syntax in teaching lexicography, phenomena related to word order (fronting, dislocation, etc) as well as grammatical characteristics of various registers of contemporary English (conversation, academic writings, written press and fiction). The course then introduces students to empirical studies of English based on computerised corpora, in particular by means of scholarly articles.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Theoretical lectures combined with practical exercises, readings of scholarly articles and presentations of certain subjects by the students. As much as possible, the lectures will be conducted in an interactive manner.

Assessment methods and criteria :
Formative:
During the exercises and following the presentations made by the students

Certificate-based:
Written and oral examination (a list of questions is handed out during the course)

Recommended or required reading :
Aarts, B. (2008) English Syntax and Argumentation. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Biber, D., Johansson, S., Leech, G., Conrad, S. and Finegan, E. (1999) Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English. London: Longman.
Biber, D., Leech, G. and Conrad, S. (2002) Longman Student Grammar of Spoken and Written English. London: Longman.
Crystal, D. (1997) The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge University Press.
Culpeper, J., Katamba, F., Kerswill, P., Wodak, R. and McEnery, T. (eds) (2009) English Language. Description, Variation and Context. Palgrave Macmillan.
Herbst, T. (2010) English Linguistics. A Coursebook for Students of English. De Gruyter Mouton: Berlin/New York.
Leech, G., Deuchar, M. and Hoogenraad, R. (2006) English Grammar for Today. A New Introduction. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Plag, I., Braun, M., Lappe, S. and Schramm M. (2009) Introduction to English Linguistics. Berlin & New York: Mouton de Gruyter.
Wardhaugh, R. (2003) Understanding English Grammar. A Linguistic Approach. Blackwell.

Other information :
Working papers and scholarly articles.