Study Programmes 2016-2017
LGER0103-1  
English synchronic linguistics a
Duration :
30h Th
Number of credits :
Master in modern languages and literatures : German, Dutch and English (120 ECTS)5
Master in linguistics (120 ECTS)5
Master in modern languages and literatures : general (120 ECTS)5
Master in modern languages and literatures : German, Dutch and English (60 ECTS)5
Master in modern languages and literatures : general (60 ECTS)5
Lecturer :
An Van linden
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents :
This course concentrates on the semantic domain of modality and how it is expressed in English. It first introduces the semantic domain studied (dynamic, deontic and epistemic modality), and then homes in on a number of formal types of expressions, like modal auxiliaries, modal adjectives (e.g. it is crucial/appropriate), verbo-nominal expressions (e.g. there is no need/I have no doubt) and comparative adverbs (e.g. you'd better ...).
Attention will be paid to the way in which the study of non-verbal expression types contributes to a better understanding of the modal domain. In the process, we will discuss a number of analytical problems, like how to distinguish between lexical and grammatical uses of non-verbal modal expressions, and how to conceive of their syntactic and scopal structures.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit :
Introduction into the methods of corpus linguistics; analysis of corpus data; deeper insights into the domain of qualifications of States of Affairs, and modality in particular.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Very good knowledge of English; English Language 1 & 2; English linguistics 1 & 2
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
The course involves interactive seminars in which students will discuss corpus data, read scientific articles, and eventually carry out a corpus study themselves.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-face seminars
Recommended or required readings :
All teaching materials will be made available on eCampus.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Students will have to carry out a corpus study on a topic related to the expression of modality in English. They will have to report on their findings in both an oral presentation and a research essay based on the presentation, which also integrates feedback from teacher and peers. Expected length: 5,000-8,000 words, including references. More precisely, grades will be given as follows:
  • oral presentation: 5/20
  • written essay/research report: 15/20
The oral presentation will take place during class hours; the written essay is due on 16 January 2017.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Contacts :
Teacher in charge of the course :
An Van linden Département de Langues et littératures modernes Place Cockerill, 3-5 B-4000 Liège Tel. 04 366 53 60 E-mail: an.vanlinden@ulg.ac.be
Items online :
Online Notes
Notes are available online. See link below.