Course: History of Linguistics

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Course title History of Linguistics
Course code KOL/DLING
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminar
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Faltýnek Dan, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Benešová Martina, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
(1) History of linguistics: What's the matter? (2) Thinking about language and culture (shown on the Indian grammar tradition) (3) Between the form and the meaning (shown on ancient Greek and Roman grammars) (4) Language as a mirror reflecting the mind and the world (shown on linguistic thoughts of modist aristotelianism) (5) Linguistics and correctness (shown on the Renaissance language regulation) (6) Sign and thoughts on language (shown on the Baroque fascination) (7) Natural science metaphors employed in linguistics (language as a living organism) (8) The linguistic concept of law (shown on the Neogrammarians ) (9) How does a language live? (show on fin de si?cle) (10) Synchronic - diachronic relation (shown on de Saussure) (11) The structure and purpose in language (shown on the Prague linguistic school) (12) Explanation power and description power (shown on generative grammar ) (13) Theory vs data (shown on corpus linguistics)

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook), Methods of Written Work
Learning outcomes
By means of epistemic contextualism applied to a range of topics, the course seeks to introduce the historical development of linguistics from the beginnings until today. The chosen topics both demonstrate issues specific to any given period and look for universal topics in the history of research into language and communication. At the same time, the course reflects the multitude of approaches to studying history of a science from the methodological point of view, using several concept frameworks (internalism and externalism). Fundamental concepts are thematized (influence, tradition, inspiration, innovation, school of thought) and, more importantly, a broad epistemic context is built around each of the topics in an attempt to identify tentative sources of linguistic dynamism. Additionally, concepts that are considered central (correctness, linguistics as a separate field, law of science, change, limits, universality etc.) are addressed with regard to other concepts of that period, tracking changes in linguistics as a branch. That said, the catchphrase of the course could read: historiography trying to find an identity of "linguistics".
Students will get familiar with the development of linguistic thinking and acquire rudimentary knowledge of linguistic methods, i.e. understanding of the main theories and concepts, important proponents and seminal works. They will be able to place linguistic findings into an appropriate epistemic context. Having been introduced to critical reading, they can read and assess primary texts. Coupled with History of Czech linguistics, the will give students sufficient understanding as to be able to effectively plot linguistic thinking development against the Czech linguistic background.
Prerequisites
Reading English

Assessment methods and criteria
Mark, Written exam, Student performance, Systematic Observation of Student

(1) regular class attendance (80%) (2) active in-class participation, assignments (required readings and solving problem sets) (3) credit test (70% score to pass)
Recommended literature
  • Černý, J. (1996). Dějiny lingvistiky. Olomouc.
  • Davies, A. M. (1998). History of linguistics. Volume 4: Nineteenth century linguistics..
  • Helbig, G. (1991). Vývoj jazykovědy po roce 1970. Praha.
  • Koerner, E. F. K. - Asher, R. E. (1995). Concise History of the Language Sciences. Oxford.
  • Law, V. (2008). The history of linguistics in Europe. From Plato to 1600. Cambridge.
  • Lepschy, G. (ed.). History of linguistics. Volume 1: The eastern traditions of linguistics. Longman 1994..
  • Lepschy, G. (ed.). History of linguistics. Volume 2: Classical and medieval linguistics. Longman 1994..
  • Lepschy, G. (ed.). (1997). History of linguistics. Volume 3: Renaissance and Early Modern Linguistics.
  • Pleskalová, J. et all. (2007). Kapitoly z dějin české jazykovědné bohemistiky. Praha 2007. Praha.
  • Taylor, T. J - Harris, R. Landmarks In Linguistic Thought: The Western Tradition from Socrates to Saussure. Taylor & Francis 1997..


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): General Lingvistics and Theory of Communication (2014) Category: Philological sciences 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter