Syllabus for Roster(s):

  • 14F GETR 3590-004 (CGAS)
In the UVaCollab course site:   14F GETR 3590-004 (CGAS)

An Investigation of German & English Linguistic Phenomena

This course aims at providing profound insights into the distinct workings of the German and English languages as well as conveying a basic understanding of core descriptive tools and theoretical insights of Generative Grammar, the approach to linguistics that focuses on language as a mental phenomenon with a universal basis. It also aims at developing the reasoning skills necessary to apply these tools and insights to linguistic material from German and English. After looking at the major linguistic levels (phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics) and exploring the basic characteristics of sound structure, word structure, sentence structure, meaning, and first language acquisition, we will apply some basic concepts of Generative Grammar directly to German and English language samples and analyze these concepts contrastively where appropriate. Students will have the opportunity to discover the workings of these two languages with hands-on practice. This course is useful for students with linguistic grounding but also for novices and will be taught in English. No prior knowledge of German is needed.