351: Introduction to German Linguistics, 3 cr.
Lec 1, MWF 11:00, Wegener
Prerequisites: German 226 or consent of instructor.
This course is designed to provide a thorough overview of the German language from the perspective of modern linguistics. We will consider how different forms of spoken and written German are put together as a linguistic system, as well as how speakers actually use the language. After a brief look at the history of German, we will spend about half the semester analyzing the internal structure of German, starting at the level of individual sounds, and then considering how German words are formed and arranged in sentences. Beyond the sentence level, we will move on to questions of "meaning" (semantics and pragmatics). Finally, we will analyze how German varies according to region, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation. The primary texts will be Werner König's dtv-Atlas Deutsche Sprache, as well as a copy pack of handouts and other readings. There will be weekly problem sets assigned, as well as a number of Web-based activities. The class will be taught in German.
Required Textbooks:
Rosemarie Lühr, Neuhochdeutsch: Eine Einführung in die Sprachwissenschaft
