What is linguistics? Linguistics is a relatively old academic discipline which originally developed out of the teaching of `rhetoric' and `grammar' and during the 19th and 20th centuries - like other disciplines - developed into a modern science with various theoretical and applied branches.
If you are studying languages, you will be curious about things like how dialects differ, how languages developed throughout their history, how children (and adults like yourselves) learn languages with or without help from parents and teachers, how computers talk, what is special about the language of poetry and drama, what are the languages of the Internet, why `politeness' means different things to people in different languages and cultures, how the language of men and women, children, teenagers and adults differs, how you can prepare your language-teaching materials systematically and professionally ... This is where linguistics comes in as an essential part of the training of a language expert, whatever your future occupation may be.
This is a lecture course which is offered in response to students' requests for overview classes.
During the course, there will be guest lectures from members of the English Department (and also other departments) on different aspects of language, linguistics, and applications of linguistics.
The lecture course primarily addresses students of English (Lehramt Sek I and II and Magister), but students from other courses are welcome to attend, for example to improve their knowledge of the English language and its use by English-speaking peoples. The course is optional, but highly recommended both for beginning students and those who want to broaden their knowledge of `the basics'.
Please note that formal qualifications can not be acquired in lecture courses.
For further information, please consult our teaching web site and notices on C6.