GERM 450

Basic Principles and Processes of Language Change

1.  be able to discuss generally the basic principles and processes of language change regarding phonological, morphological, syntactic, lexical and semantic change;

Types of Language Change

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.;

Proto-Indo-European

3.  be able to provide a general description of Proto-Indo-European and its relationship to its daughter languages

Changes that Distinguished Germanic from Proto-Indo-European

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.

Relationship between Branches of Germanic

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;

Changes Distinguishing West Germanic from other Germanic Bra

6.  be able to identify and describe the changes distinguishing West Germanic from other Germanic branches;

Changes Distinguishing Germanic from West Germanic Languages

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;

Main Dialects of Old High German, Middle High German, and Mo

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;

External Influences that Shaped the History of the German La

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.;

German Dialects

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;.

Why Language Changes

11. be able to describe reasons why languages change

Research

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);

Seeking Sources on Topics in Germanic Linguistics

13. be able to seek sources on topics in Germanic linguistics;

Applying Learned Material to English and Other Languages

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;

Identifying Supporting Quotes

15.  be able to identify useful quotes that will help me support the thesis of my paper;

Using Logical Arguments

16.  be able to argue my point effectively using a logical argument

Identifying data that Supports an Argument

17.  be able to identify data that supports the arguments I am making or citing;

Introducing and Citing Quotes

18  be able to introduce and cite quotes properly;

Providing Adequate and Correct Citations

19.  be able to provide adequate and correct citations for the points I am making or drawing on from the works of others;