2020-2021 / LGER0104-2

English synchronic linguistics b: Construction grammar and its application to English

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Master in multilingual communication (120 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in modern languages and literatures : German, Dutch and English (120 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in modern languages and literatures : general (120 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in modern languages and literatures : German, Dutch and English (60 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in modern languages and literatures : general (60 ECTS)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Lieselotte Brems

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This class introduces students to Construction Grammar and its application to English specifically. After a general introduction to how and why the framework emerged, we will see how it has extended beyond its original domain and methods. 
Using examples from English, we will build up an argumentation for why we could think of our knowledge of a language in terms of a network of constructions on different levels of schematicity and complexity. We will see how it applies to verb argument structure, but also morphology, information structure, language acquisition, variation and change.
 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Students should see how a constructional approach to language differs from other frameworks while it also shares some basic tenets with other frameworks. They should see the advantages as well as drawbacks of this approach, which, moreover, is itself a collection of approaches rather than one homogeneous theory.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Good knowledge of English and linguistics

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

This class will be organised as a seminar in which students sometimes have to prepare texts in advance.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

face-to-face

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

powerpoints with voice-overs and/or collaborate

Recommended or required readings

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Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )

- Remote

written exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred remote


Additional information:

written exam

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

'ex cathedra' sessions + seminars with interaction

Contacts

lbrems@uliege.be