The English Language in Scotland

Dozent/in:

Ole Schützler

Termine:

Do, 16:00 - 17:30, U5/00.24

Inhalt:

In the relatively confined space of Scotland, mainly three languages co-exist, interact, and influence (or have influenced) each other: (i) Scottish Gaelic, the number of whose speakers has decreased dramatically, but which is still an official and strongly supported language of Scotland with an influence on the variety of English spoken in the Highlands; (ii) Scots, which developed out of a northern branch of Old English, functions as a present-day non-standard dialect of English with unique characteristics at all linguistic levels, and is also quite strongly resurgent in literary genres and popular culture; and (iii) Scottish Standard English (SSE), which is popularly described as Standard English spoken with a Scottish accent – a definition that is beginning to be questioned and modified, however.

The following topics will be discussed in this lecture:

• Scottish topography and history and the ways in which they shaped the linguistic landscape over the centuries, resulting in the present-day situation
• Problems involved in the notions of language and dialect as exemplified in the changing roles of English and Scots in Scotland
• The most important characteristics of Scottish English / Scots in pronunciation, grammar and lexicon
• Some influential empirical studies into (mainly urban) varieties of English in present-day Scotland
• Highland English
• Scottish English / Scots in literary works
• Scottish place and family names

Empfohlene Literatur:

Corbett, John, J. Derrick McClure & Jane Stuart-Smith (eds.). 2003. The Edinburgh Companion to Scots. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Jones, Charles. 2002. The English Language in Scotland: An Introduction to Scots. East Linton: Tuckwell Press.
Miller, Jim. 2008. Scottish English: morphology and syntax. In Kortmann, Bernd & Clive Upton, eds. Varieties of English. Vol.1: The British Isles. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter. 299–327.
Stuart-Smith, Jane. 2008. Scottish English: phonology. In Kortmann, Bernd & Clive Upton, eds. Varieties of English. Vol.1: The British Isles. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter. 48–70.

The Roots of English

Dozent/in:

Gabriele Knappe

Termine:

Di, 14:15 - 15:45, U5/02.22

Inhalt:

Description:
Why is English like that? Why is knight spelled with a kn and a gh? Why does English have so many synonyms like start, begin, commence or clever, intelligent, astute and bright? How come that we hardly have any in fact only eight inflectional endings in English today? And how are German and English related as they obviously are, when we compare, for instance, goose and Gans, house and Haus, knight and Knecht, light and Licht?
This lecture addresses all these questions, and more. Students will be given an overview of the development of the English language from its earliest attestations in the late 7^th century (Old English) until today in the context of the textual transmission and sociohistorical changes. Selected passages from different periods will be introduced, and special areas of interest are the development of sounds and spelling, grammar, vocabulary and syntax.
This lecture is particularly designed for students of BA "Anglistik/Amerikanistik", Aufbaumodul (2 ECTS). Students from other BA programmes can earn 2 or 4 ECTS points for their Studium Generale (pass/fail), and visiting students can earn 2 or 4 ungraded, pass/fail or graded ECTS points. Everybody elso who is interested is of course welcome, too, and may attend the lecture as a guest without getting ECTS points.
Note that students of Lehramt Gymnasium and of B.A. Medieval Studies in their Basismodul must attend the Uebung "Englische Sprachgeschichte", not this lecture.

Empfohlene Literatur:

Suggestions for background reading:

• Norbert Schmitt and Richard Marsden. 2006. Why Is English like That? Historical Answers to Hard ELT Questions. Michigan: The University of Michigan Press.
• Albert C. Baugh & Thomas Cable. 2013. A History of the English Language. Sixth ed. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

Introduction to English Linguistics

Dozent/in:

Manfred Krug

Termine:

Di, 12:15 - 14:00, MG1/00.04

Inhalt:

This course is designed to introduce beginning students to the central terms and topics in current (English) linguistics. While the focus will be on present-day English, many modern irregularities (such as the differences between spelling and pronunciation or irregular verbs) can be explained in historical terms. We will therefore occasionally digress into the history of the English language in order to better understand the present. Topics to be dealt with include phonetics, phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax and sociolinguistics. One class will also be devoted to the major contrasts between English and German. In order to equip students with the basic analytical skills that are essential for future linguists and teachers alike, part of the course especially the accompanying tutorials and workshops will be practical in nature. We will therefore analyse authentic modern English texts from a linguistic point of view.

Social Writing, Socialist Writing, So-called Writing? American Literature 1860-1910

Dozent/in:

Nicole K. Konopka

Termine:

Di, 12:00 - 14:00, U5/02.18

Inhalt:

The period in American history that began with the minority election of Abraham Lincoln and ended shortly before the First World War was a time defined by contrasts: glorification of the past and celebration of progress; ruthless individualism and growing social consciousness; liberation from literary conventions and longing for acceptance by the literary establishment.

This class will focus on the portrayal and critical evaluation of social circumstances in the US in literary texts of the time. Students will learn about the American socialist movement, as well as the struggle to implement community-oriented values in a society that, although it believes "that all men are created equal," puts a lot of emphasis on personal freedom and everyone’s right to his/her distinct pursuit of happiness.

We will consult a variety of texts, ranging from novels, shorts stories and poems to pamphlets and party programs.

ATTENTION: This is a READING class! Participants must be able to read and review quite a lot of material between the weekly sessions. The class is also designed to assist you with the reading list of the American Studies Section and aims to contribute to your understanding of key narratives of North American literature. Most of the material will be provided via the Virtual Campus ahead of each session. Students are, however, required to purchase some texts (see list below) before the beginning of the semester – either in print or as e-book. Make sure that you order your copy of the books well in advance!

It is important for participants to do the assignments, attend class regularly, and actively contribute to class discussions. You are welcome to bring in materials from outside of class (newspaper articles, handouts etc.) and you can also plan class room activities e.g. mock debates. Your input is welcome!

Empfohlene Literatur:

Books to purchase by each participant:

• Rebecca Harding Davis, Life in the Iron Mills (1861) - preferably the Feminist Press edition
• Jacob Riis, How the Other Half Lives (1890) - preferably the Norton Critical Edition
• L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) - preferably the Reclam Fremdsprachentexte edition
• Upton Sinclair, The Jungle (1906) - preferably the The Bedford Series in History and Culture edition

All other texts we will discuss in class will be made available as PDF.

V Jewish-American Literature and Culture

Dozent/in:

Pascal Fischer

Termine:

Di, 12:00 - 14:00, MG1/02.06

Inhalt:

This lecture surveys the literature and culture of the Jewish community in America from colonial times to the present. After critically examining the terms Jewish, Jewish literature and Jewish culture, the lecture provides a historical overview of the major phases of Jewish immigration to America. We will then study landmarks of Jewish-American literature in their respective cultural contexts. A particular focus will be on novels and short stories that deal with characteristic Jewish experiences of the last 120 years. Whether they concentrate on the problems of adapting to new physical, social and cultural surroundings in the wake of immigration, lament the disintegration of familial and religious securities, or reflect upon the horrors of persecution and annihilation, most of these works negotiate the meaning of Jewish identity in modern times. Further social and cultural issues addressed in the lecture include the branches of Judaism in America, Jewish politics and organizations, music and arts, the media and popular culture, anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, and Israel.

From Benjamin Franklin to "The Girls Next Door": The Rags-to-Riches Narrative in American Culture

Dozent/in:

Nicole K. Konopka

Termine:

Di, 18:00 - 20:00, U9/01.11

Inhalt:

The United States are often described as the land of opportunity, the place where people from all over the world hope to be given a new chance. Consequently, there are plenty of success stories to be found in American culture: the ugly duckling who becomes a beautiful celebrity; the nerdy underdog who becomes the richest man on the planet; or the poor Jewish immigrant from a small market town in Upper Franconia who invents a garment that becomes a global fashion staple.

However, the rags-to-riches myth and the cultural narrative of the American Dream are as much exclusive as they are inclusive, thus encouraging new beginnings and personal aspirations, but also breaking individuals and their hopes and dreams. This class will follow the trail of the rags-to-riches myth through US-American history, tracing its footsteps in a fast-paced culture that grants little room for failure and promotes material success above all other accomplishments.

Most of the material will be provided via the Virtual Campus ahead of each session. Students are, however, required to purchase and read some texts (see list below) before the beginning of the semester – either in print or as e-book. Make sure that you order your copy of the books well in advance! It is also important for participants to do the assignments, attend class regularly, and actively contribute to class discussions. You are welcome to bring in materials from outside of class (newspaper articles, handouts etc.) and you can also plan class room activities e.g. mock debates. Your input is welcome!

Empfohlene Literatur:

• Horatio Alger Jr., Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks (1867) - preferably the Signet Classics edition
• William Dean Howells, The Rise of Silas Lapham (1885) - preferably the Penguin Classics edition
• Edward Albee, The American Dream (1961) - preferably the Signet Books edition

All other texts we will discuss in class will be made available as PDF.