Saint-Louis University - Bruxelles
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GERM1141 - Dutch : Linguistics and practical exercises I



Credits : 5

Lecturer :
Teaching assistant :
Mode of delivery :
Face-to-face , first and second term, 60 hours of theory and 45 hours of exercises.

Timetable :
First term
Tuesday from 10:45 to 12:15 at 109 Marais 410
Wednesday from 10:45 to 12:45 at 109 Marais 610
Second term
Tuesday from 15:45 to 17:15
Wednesday from 13:30 to 15:30

Language of instruction :
Dutch

Learning outcomes :
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information below is subject to change, especially the information relating to the teaching method and the assessment

Dutch I : linguistics
The course introduces students to the main basic concepts concerning (1) the phonetics and phonology of Dutch, (2) the lexical classes and the word groups of Dutch, and (3) the syntax of Dutch (cf. sentence structure). The students have to be able to define these basic concepts, to illustrate them with concrete examples, and to perform application exercises.

Dutch I : practical exercises
To help students to achieve a strong command of written and oral Dutch (the level is equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level B2). Students have to be able to recognise and make appropriate use of the syntactic and lexical specificities of the Dutch language addressed in the course.


Prerequisites :
None

Co-requisites :
None

Course contents :
DDutch I : linguistics
The course covers three main topics.
1) First, the course offers an introduction to the main basic notions of Dutch phonetics (phonetic transcription, distinctive features of vowels and consonants) and Dutch phonology (assimilation, “final devoicing”).
1) Secondly, the course offers a systematic study of the lexical classes (nouns, verbs, etc.) by applying them to Dutch, and of the structure of word groups: (elements constituting) the verbal group, the nominal group, ...
3) Finally, in addition to an introduction to the basic concepts of syntax (phrases, constituents, syntactic functions), the third module of the course covers the topic of Dutch sentence structure.

As long as the health situation does not allow for classes to take place on campus, the theoretical part of the course will be organised on Teams and Moodle.
Dutch I : practical exercises
o Grammar:
Revision of the basic grammar rules of Dutch, using the textbook ‘De Regels van het Nederlands', and exercises putting into practice the theoretical notions acquired in the course Dutch Linguistics I (lexical classes, grammar, syntax).
o Vocabulary:
Vocabulary study based on the textbook ‘Woorden in Context' (deel 1 & 2). Contrastive study of important differences between Dutch and French, use of Dutch prepositions, and so on.
o Written expression:
Writing exercises: summaries, structure of texts (skimming and scanning) based on a diagram, formal and informal texts and e-mails, description exercises, and so on.
o Pronunciation (assimilation).
o Oral expression:
Spontaneous conversation exercises in the form of debates, role plays, and other creative exercises; home-prepared presentations on cultural and linguistic topics.
As long as the health situation does not allow for classes to take place on campus, the exercise sessions will be organised on Teams and Moodle.


Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
The teaching unit Dutch: linguistics I and practical exercises consists of two parts: (1) the course Linguistics I and (2) practical exercises. The weighting between the linguistics course and the practical exercises is 60/40.

Dutch I : linguistics
Lectures (interactive, implying active participation of the students), accompanied by numerous exercises (reproduction, comprehension, and application exercises).

Dutch I : practical exercises
The course is based on interactive exercises that require the active participation of the students.
Students are regularly asked to prepare exercises at home before coming to class, in order to allow for a good progress of the course.


In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, we will strictly follow the changes imposed by USL-B. When a part of the teaching activities cannot be carried out in person for health reasons, instructions will be sent by Moodle / Teams, and the active participation of the students in these activities is expected. Any modification to the lesson plan (contents, calendar, etc.) due to external circumstances will be communicated via Moodle.


Assessment methods and criteria :
The weighting between the linguistics course and the practical exercises is 60/40.
For the two parts (i.e. the linguistics course and the practical exercises), the weighting between January and June is 50/50.

Participation in the course “practical exercises” will be taken into consideration in the calculation of the overall course grade in compliance with article 4 of the specific exam provisions (cf.
http://www2.usaintlouis.be/public/enseignement/dispositions_philo_2016-17.pdf).
Any modification to the assessment modes, linked to external circumstances, will be communicated via Moodle.

Dutch I : linguistics
Formative assessment:
The various exercises done in class throughout the year should give the students an accurate idea of how to understand and assimilate the course materials.

Summative assessment during the exam session:
Written exam in January. Oral exam in June.
The exam comprises three types of questions (all three of both theoretical and empirical nature): 1) reproduction questions, 2) comprehension questions, 3) questions focused on applying the knowledge acquired during the course.
If the organisation of face-to-face exams becomes impossible for health reasons, linked to Covid-19, the remote evaluation will consist of a written part and an oral part in January.
If the health situation does not allow for face-to-face assessment in June, the oral exam in June will take place on Teams.

Dutch I : practical exercises
Summative continuous assessment : recapitulative vocabulary test after the Easter holidays.

Summative assessment during the exam session:
Written exam in January and in June.
If the health situation does not allow for face-to-face assessment in June, the written exam in June will take place on Moodle.


Recommended or required reading :
Textbooks regarding the acquisition of vocabulary and grammar:

Dieltjens, Louis e.a., Woorden in Context deel 1, Uitgeverij De Boeck, Brussel, 2009.
Dieltjens, Louis e.a., Woorden in Context deel 2, Uitgeverij De Boeck, Brussel, 2007.
Florijn, Arjen e.a., De Regels van het Nederlands, Wolters-Noordho?, Groningen / Houten, 2009. Florijn, Arjen e.a., De Regels van het Nederlands (Werkboek), Noordho? Uitgevers, Groningen / Houten, 2004.
A complete bibliography is provided in the syllabus.


Other information :
A syllabus will be supplied by the professor during classes and on Moodle for the theoretical part of the course.
Another syllabus will be made available at the reprography and on Moodle for the practical exercises.
Audio, video, and paper-based learning materials: newspaper articles from the Belgian Dutch-language press as well as from the Dutch press of the Netherlands.

Course materials (videos, articles, hand-outs, …) will be available on Moodle.