SoSe 20: PS-Ling. Theory and Gram. of English: Levels of Linguistic Analysis
Kirsten Middeke
Comments
In this seminar you will be introduced to descriptive linguistics and learn how to investigate language scientifically. You will be introduced to the kinds of questions asked in linguistics and the ways in which linguists attempt to find answers to them. You will be made familiar with data sources (dictionaries, thesauri, corpora) and other tools for empirical research and you will learn how to consult, cite and eventually produce academic literature. After this seminar you should be able to design and carry out your own empirical research project, to present your results and to publish them.
The special focus of this seminar will be on syntactic constructions.
This seminar is accompanied by the lecture “Levels of Linguistic Analysis I”. In the lecture you will learn about the kind of scientific thinking behind empirical research and you will practice general methods of data analysis. We very strongly recommend that you take the lecture in the same semester as the seminar, or before, so that you will be optimally prepared for carrying out the research project for your seminar paper (Modulprüfung).
Credit requirements of the seminar are:
regular and active participation in discussions
- weekly reading assignments and/or research homework
- a 5-minute presentation in class (with a partner) and a 5-minute poster presentation at the end of term (in a group of three)
- an academic paper of c2000 words, based on your poster
12 Class schedule
Regular appointments