GERM 450
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History of the German Language
German and Russian
College of Humanities
Course Description
Linguistic survey of the German language from Indo-European to modern times, including phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicon.
When Taught
Winter
Min
3
Fixed/Max
3
Fixed
3
Fixed
0
Recommended
Germ 302; Germ 303; Germ 344
Title
Basic Principles and Processes of Language Change
Learning Outcome
1. be able to discuss generally the basic principles and processes of language change regarding phonological, morphological, syntactic, lexical and semantic change;
Title
Types of Language Change
Learning Outcome
2. be able to identify examples of such types of language change as they pertain to the history of the German language, e.g., assimilation, affrication, etc.;
Title
Proto-Indo-European
Learning Outcome
3. be able to provide a general description of Proto-Indo-European and its relationship to its daughter languages
Title
Changes that Distinguished Germanic from Proto-Indo-European
Learning Outcome
4. be able to identify and describe the changes which distinguished Germanic from Proto-Indo-European including Grimm's Law, Sievers' Law, accent shift, etc.
Title
Relationship between Branches of Germanic
Learning Outcome
5. be able to describe the relationship between the three main branches of Germanic, namely Gothic, Northern Germanic and West Germanic and outline the major Germanic languages, including the West Germanic languages;
Title
Changes Distinguishing West Germanic from other Germanic Bra
Learning Outcome
6. be able to identify and describe the changes distinguishing West Germanic from other Germanic branches;
Title
Changes Distinguishing Germanic from West Germanic Languages
Learning Outcome
7. be able to identify and describe the changes which distinguished German from the other West Germanic languages as well as the changes from Old High German to Middle High German to Modern German;
Title
Main Dialects of Old High German, Middle High German, and Mo
Learning Outcome
8. be able to identify the main dialects of Old High German, Middle High German and Modern German and describe their location and distinguishing features;
Title
External Influences that Shaped the History of the German La
Learning Outcome
9. understand and be able to describe the external influences which helped shape the history of the German language, e.g., Luther's influence, Charlemagne, the printing press, grammarians, war, trade, etc.;
Title
German Dialects
Learning Outcome
10. can outline and discuss the meaning of the word dialect in its linguistic sense and appreciate the various dialects of German as legitimate linguistic entities of equal value;.
Title
Why Language Changes
Learning Outcome
11. be able to describe reasons why languages change
Title
Research
Learning Outcome
12. be able to carry out research on one aspect of the history of the Germanic languages and provide a brief and clear overview of a topic related to a change in one of the Germanic languages in both written and oral form to communicate my findings in a paper in a clear manner using primary literature (journal articles);
Title
Seeking Sources on Topics in Germanic Linguistics
Learning Outcome
13. be able to seek sources on topics in Germanic linguistics;
Title
Applying Learned Material to English and Other Languages
Learning Outcome
14. be able to make connections between what we learn in class about the history of German to better understand English, the German language and how languages (including my own language use) can change and/or differ from others' language;
Title
Identifying Supporting Quotes
Learning Outcome
15. be able to identify useful quotes that will help me support the thesis of my paper;
Title
Using Logical Arguments
Learning Outcome
16. be able to argue my point effectively using a logical argument
Title
Identifying data that Supports an Argument
Learning Outcome
17. be able to identify data that supports the arguments I am making or citing;
Title
Introducing and Citing Quotes
Learning Outcome
18 be able to introduce and cite quotes properly;
Title
Providing Adequate and Correct Citations
Learning Outcome
19. be able to provide adequate and correct citations for the points I am making or drawing on from the works of others;