Module 23-LIN-Ma1 Theoretical Approaches to Grammar

Faculty

Person responsible for module

Regular cycle (beginning)

Every semester

Credit points and duration

15 Credit points

For information on the duration of the modul, refer to the courses of study in which the module is used.

Competencies

The module covers grammatical theory approaches used to describe linguistic structures. The term "grammatical theory" is used here without excluding any core linguistic subdiscipline. In line with the assumed prerequisites, students are already able to observe phonetic, phonological, morphological, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic phenomena as such and describe them using specialist concepts. In the module's courses, they acquire further competence in recognising connections between individual linguistic phenomena and formulating hypotheses based on linguistic theories. They learn to deal with complex questions using linguistic theories and to use analytical methods that are relevant to research.

Content of teaching

The module offers courses on theoretical approaches to the various levels of linguistic structure analysis, i.e. core linguistic concepts from phonetics, phonology, syntax, morphology, semantics and pragmatics. The courses will focus in particular on linguistic approaches that are relevant to current research. The courses cover the following and/or equivalent topics: laboratory phonology and experimental phonetics, distributed morphology, minimalist syntax, optimality theory, modelling the syntax-prosody interface, formal semantics, discourse representation theory, probabilistic pragmatics.

Recommended previous knowledge

Knowledge of the basics of language structure analysis, as taught in the Bachelor's modules 23-LIN-BaLin1 and 23-LIN-BaLin2, is strongly recommended.

Necessary requirements

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Explanation regarding the elements of the module

Module structure: 3 SL, 1 bPr 1

Courses

Course 1
Type seminar
Regular cycle WiSe
Workload5 120 h (30 + 90)
LP 4 [SL]
Course 2
Type seminar
Regular cycle WiSe
Workload5 120 h (30 + 90)
LP 4 [SL]
Course 3
Type seminar
Regular cycle SoSe
Workload5 120 h (30 + 90)
LP 4 [SL]

Study requirements

Allocated examiner Workload LP2
Teaching staff of the course Course 1 (seminar)

Students acquire course content through reading and/or exercises. The usual time required for this work is approximately 5-6 hours per week. For designated exercises, a solution-oriented assignment must be submitted on time to ensure verifiable learning progress. After prior consultation with the lecturer regarding the date and content, students also present up to three selected assignments in the seminar. In particular, problems and/or alternative solutions are discussed with the other participants in the respective seminar session. If a course is suitable for this, instead of presenting the assignment up to three times, students may present a text in the form of a short presentation (30-45 minutes) including a short written paper (750-1000 words). In addition to the above, other formats with a comparable workload, such as the preparation of meeting minutes, are possible for the acquisition of course credits. The specific requirements to be met in the course will be determined by the lecturer and announced at the beginning of the lecture period.

 see above see above
Teaching staff of the course Course 2 (seminar)

See the notes for Course 1

 see above see above
Teaching staff of the course Course 3 (seminar)

see the notes for Course 1

 see above see above

Examinations

term paper o. oral examination
Allocated examiner Person responsible for module examines or determines examiner
Weighting 1
Workload 90h
LP2 3

The module examination is administered by one of the persons teaching the module. The examiner determines the form of the examination. As a rule, the module examination is a written assignment (approx. 15 pages) in which aspects covered in several courses are taken up and dealt with in an independent analysis. The assignment may be based on work previously completed as part of a module course (e.g. a presentation), but must also refer to aspects covered in other courses. Notwithstanding this, an oral examination (duration approx. 30 minutes) is also possible, covering the core content of the courses completed.

The module is used in these degree programmes:

Degree programme Profile Recom­mended start 3 Duration Manda­tory option 4
Linguistics / Master of Arts [FsB vom 15.09.2025] General Linguistics 1. 2 semes­ters Obli­gation
Linguistics / Master of Arts [FsB vom 15.09.2025] Computational Linguistics 1. 2 semes­ters Obli­gation
Linguistics / Master of Arts [FsB vom 15.09.2025] Communication 1. 2 semes­ters Obli­gation
Linguistics / Master of Arts [FsB vom 15.09.2025] Laboratory Phonology & Experimental Phonetics 1. 2 semes­ters Obli­gation
Linguistics / Master of Arts [FsB vom 15.09.2025] Neurolinguistics 1. 2 semes­ters Obli­gation
Linguistics / Master of Arts [FsB vom 15.09.2025] Psycholinguistics 1. 2 semes­ters Obli­gation
Linguistics / Master of Arts [FsB vom 15.09.2025] Theoretical Issues in Clinical Linguistics 1. 2 semes­ters Obli­gation
Linguistics / Master of Arts [FsB vom 21.05.2021 mit Änderungen vom 01.11.2022 und 01.10.2025] General Linguistics 1. 2 semes­ters Obli­gation
Linguistics / Master of Arts [FsB vom 21.05.2021 mit Änderungen vom 01.11.2022 und 01.10.2025] Computational Linguistics 1. 2 semes­ters Obli­gation
Linguistics / Master of Arts [FsB vom 21.05.2021 mit Änderungen vom 01.11.2022 und 01.10.2025] Communication 1. 2 semes­ters Obli­gation
Linguistics / Master of Arts [FsB vom 21.05.2021 mit Änderungen vom 01.11.2022 und 01.10.2025] Laboratory Phonology & Experimental Phonetics 1. 2 semes­ters Obli­gation
Linguistics / Master of Arts [FsB vom 21.05.2021 mit Änderungen vom 01.11.2022 und 01.10.2025] Neurolinguistics 1. 2 semes­ters Obli­gation
Linguistics / Master of Arts [FsB vom 21.05.2021 mit Änderungen vom 01.11.2022 und 01.10.2025] Psycholinguistics 1. 2 semes­ters Obli­gation
Linguistics / Master of Arts [FsB vom 21.05.2021 mit Änderungen vom 01.11.2022 und 01.10.2025] Theoretical Issues in Clinical Linguistics 1. 2 semes­ters Obli­gation

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Legend

1
The module structure displays the required number of study requirements and examinations.
2
LP is the short form for credit points.
3
The figures in this column are the specialist semesters in which it is recommended to start the module. Depending on the individual study schedule, entirely different courses of study are possible and advisable.
4
Explanations on mandatory option: "Obligation" means: This module is mandatory for the course of the studies; "Optional obligation" means: This module belongs to a number of modules available for selection under certain circumstances. This is more precisely regulated by the "Subject-specific regulations" (see navigation).
5
Workload (contact time + self-study)
SoSe
Summer semester
WiSe
Winter semester
SL
study requirement
Pr
Examination
bPr
Number of examinations with grades
uPr
Number of examinations without grades
This academic achievement can be reported and recognised.
Non-official translation of the module descriptions. Only the German version is legally binding.