Aims

This course aims to allow the students to acquire a general-linguistic basic knowledge, i.e. knowledge of terminology used in linguistics, of the most important insights and findings of general linguistics and of the most important individuals and theories within the discipline. At the same time, the course also aims to provide the acquisition of the ability to analyse (simple) linguistic problems in the scope of this terminological and theoretical apparatus. This aim is realized across Bachelor 1 and 2.

Previous knowledge

The students are supposed to have had a first introduction in general linguistics. When this is not the case, the necessary background information can easily be acquired by reading the syllabus that accompanies the first bachelor course.

Content

As a supplement to the course General linguistics I in the first bachelor (in which diachronic linguistics and the study of linguistic varation are central), the attention in this course goes to synchronic linguistics and the theories on the structure of language which linguists have developed. Obviously, this will include twentieth-century linguistics more than in the first bachelor course. In practice the course therefore takes the form of an overview of the main schools of twentieth century linguistics: structural linguistics, generative linguistics, formal semantics and cognitive-functional approaches. The underlying line in this overview is the tension between an autonomistic interpretation of language and a cognitive-functionalistic interpretation.
The main components of the course are the following:

• structuralistic linguistics
• generative linguistics
• cognitive-functional grammar
• remaining contemporary schools
• overview of developments

Course material

Syllabus
Text book

Is also included in other courses

• Preparatory Programme: Master of Linguistics 24 ects.
• Preparatory Programme: Master of Linguistics and Literature 32 ects.
• Preparatory Programme: Master of Linguistics 20 ects.
• Preparatory Programme: Master of Linguistics and Literature 32 ects.
• Bachelor of Linguistics and Literature 180 ects.
• Bachelor of Philosophy (Option: Dutch Linguistics and Literature) 180 ects.
• Bachelor of Philosophy (Option: English Linguistics and Literature) 180 ects.
• Bachelor of Philosophy (Option: Greek Linguistics and Literature) 180 ects.
• Bachelor of Language and Area Studies: Arabic and Islamic Studies (Minor Language, Culture, History and Society) 180 ects.