Scandinavian Languages 1 (MA)
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course will present and discuss issues of synchronic and/or diachronic Scandinavian linguistics focusing on methodological aspects in view of scientific research. The final linguistic competence in the chosen Scandinavian language corresponds to level C1-. The student will also strengthen their passive knowledge of a second Scandinavian language at level B2.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will be able to recognize problems of synchronic and/or diachronic Scandinavian linguistics and apply adequate methodological resources to investigate them with a scientific approach. In the chosen Scandinavian language, the student will develop skills in reading, listening, writing, and speaking, according to level C1-. She/he will also strengthen reading and understanding abilities in a second Scandinavian language at level B2.
Lesson period: year
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Sections B and C of the main course (corso monografico, autumn term 2020, prof. Dell'Aquila)) will take place online according to the instructions published on the Ariel page of 'Lingue Scandinave LM'. Section A (spring term 2021, prof. Meregalli) will take place online on MicrosfotTeams. Updated instructions will be available on the Ariel page.
Practical courses ('esercitazioni') will be online in the both terms, following the information and instructions available on the Ariel page 'Lingue Scandinave LM'. Information and instructions are constantly updated on the Ariel page.
Practical courses ('esercitazioni') will be online in the both terms, following the information and instructions available on the Ariel page 'Lingue Scandinave LM'. Information and instructions are constantly updated on the Ariel page.
Course syllabus
The course consists of three units, which take place partly in autumn term 2020 (units B and C: V. Dell'Aquila), partly in spring term 2021 (unit A: A. Meregalli), according to a schedule published on the Ariel platform.
SECTION A (prof. Meregalli):
"Introduction to Old Norse: readings from Snorri's 'Edda' (Gylfaginning 46-47)".
The course aims to introduce the main phonological, morphological and syntactic aspects of Old Norse through the reading and linguistic comment of the Útgarðaloki episode in Snorri's 'Edda'. The student will learn how to translate and comment the text with the help of basic instruments.
SECTIONS B and C (prof. Dell'Aquila):
"Sociolinguistic aspects of the Nordic Countries" - "Introduction to the study of place names in the Nordic Countries"
The course will deal with some sociolinguistic aspects of the Nordic Countries with particular attention to the diatopic differentiation of language contacts, both between standard languages and autochthonous varieties (dialects and minorities) and between standard languages and migrant languages. Another focus will be on the theory and practice of the study of Nordic place names.
For sections B and C students will be required to use ad hoc computer software provided by the teacher.
At the end of both sections B and C the students, in pairs or groups, will work on a practical application of the theoretical framework to the Nordic sociolinguistic world and on theory of place names (written papers). The papers (1500-2500 words) will be written in a Scandinavian language and sent in to the course instructor.
The contrastive approach of all units will help students refine their passive competence in all Scandinavian languages.
The course is accompanied by practical classes ("esercitazioni") over the whole year (see description on the specific page). The student will choose the same language as in the BA course: Danish (A. Lindegaard), Norwegian (T. Wagener) or Swedish (A. Brännström).
In order to improve their passive competence in a second Scandinavian language, students will attend some practical classes in a second Scandinavian language of their choice from the 3rd-year BA course (ca. 10 lessons). Students are advised to contact the teacher of the chosen language as soon as possible for more details.
The course corresponds to 9 ECTS. MA students from study programmes other than Foreign Languages can earn 6 ECTS if it is explicitly allowed by their syllabus. These students are advised to contact the course instructor (A. Meregalli) as soon as possible.
This course programme is valid until February 2022.
SECTION A (prof. Meregalli):
"Introduction to Old Norse: readings from Snorri's 'Edda' (Gylfaginning 46-47)".
The course aims to introduce the main phonological, morphological and syntactic aspects of Old Norse through the reading and linguistic comment of the Útgarðaloki episode in Snorri's 'Edda'. The student will learn how to translate and comment the text with the help of basic instruments.
SECTIONS B and C (prof. Dell'Aquila):
"Sociolinguistic aspects of the Nordic Countries" - "Introduction to the study of place names in the Nordic Countries"
The course will deal with some sociolinguistic aspects of the Nordic Countries with particular attention to the diatopic differentiation of language contacts, both between standard languages and autochthonous varieties (dialects and minorities) and between standard languages and migrant languages. Another focus will be on the theory and practice of the study of Nordic place names.
For sections B and C students will be required to use ad hoc computer software provided by the teacher.
At the end of both sections B and C the students, in pairs or groups, will work on a practical application of the theoretical framework to the Nordic sociolinguistic world and on theory of place names (written papers). The papers (1500-2500 words) will be written in a Scandinavian language and sent in to the course instructor.
The contrastive approach of all units will help students refine their passive competence in all Scandinavian languages.
The course is accompanied by practical classes ("esercitazioni") over the whole year (see description on the specific page). The student will choose the same language as in the BA course: Danish (A. Lindegaard), Norwegian (T. Wagener) or Swedish (A. Brännström).
In order to improve their passive competence in a second Scandinavian language, students will attend some practical classes in a second Scandinavian language of their choice from the 3rd-year BA course (ca. 10 lessons). Students are advised to contact the teacher of the chosen language as soon as possible for more details.
The course corresponds to 9 ECTS. MA students from study programmes other than Foreign Languages can earn 6 ECTS if it is explicitly allowed by their syllabus. These students are advised to contact the course instructor (A. Meregalli) as soon as possible.
This course programme is valid until February 2022.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is almost entirely taught in the Scandinavian languages and the materials are in Danish, Norwegian and Swedish. A knowledge of one Scandinavian language at B2 level is therefore required.
Teaching methods
Teaching methodologies: frontal lessons (in class or online); class discussions of linguistic issues; practical activities in class and individually; individual study of critical literature.
The course is accompanied by practical classes ("esercitazioni"). See the specific page for details.
The course is accompanied by practical classes ("esercitazioni"). See the specific page for details.
Teaching Resources
SECTION A:
Text: Snorri Sturluson. 2005. "Edda. Prologue and Gylfaginning." Viking Society for Northern Research-UCL. Ch. 46-47 (available on the Ariel page).
Powerpoint presentations used for classes and further materials will be available on the Ariel page. If classes are online, recordings will be available on the Ariel page. Otherwise, non-attending students are advised to contact the teacher.
Further reference book: J.L. Byock, "Viking language 1", second edition, 2017.
SECTIONS B and C:
Reading list (at the Library of Foreign Languages):
- Bandle Oskar et al. (eds.) (2002-05), "The Nordic languages: an international handbook of the history of the North Germanic languages", vol. 1-2, Berlin: Mouton De Gruyter.
- Darquennes Jeroen, Salmons Joseph, Vandenbussche Wim (eds.) (2019), "Language Contact: An International Handbook", Berlin: Mouton De Gruyter
- Eichler Ernst, Hilty Gerold, Löffler Heinrich, Steger Hugo, Zgusta Ladislav (eds.) (2008), "Namenforschung / Name Studies / Les noms propres", Berlin: Mouton De Gruyter
- Pamp Bengt (1993), "Ortnamnen i Sverige", Stockholm: Studentlitteratur.
The complete reading list and further references, including web sites and digital resources, will be presented during classes in order to take into account the students' preparation and the course goals. All information and materials will be available on the Ariel page, as will be registrations of online classes.
Text: Snorri Sturluson. 2005. "Edda. Prologue and Gylfaginning." Viking Society for Northern Research-UCL. Ch. 46-47 (available on the Ariel page).
Powerpoint presentations used for classes and further materials will be available on the Ariel page. If classes are online, recordings will be available on the Ariel page. Otherwise, non-attending students are advised to contact the teacher.
Further reference book: J.L. Byock, "Viking language 1", second edition, 2017.
SECTIONS B and C:
Reading list (at the Library of Foreign Languages):
- Bandle Oskar et al. (eds.) (2002-05), "The Nordic languages: an international handbook of the history of the North Germanic languages", vol. 1-2, Berlin: Mouton De Gruyter.
- Darquennes Jeroen, Salmons Joseph, Vandenbussche Wim (eds.) (2019), "Language Contact: An International Handbook", Berlin: Mouton De Gruyter
- Eichler Ernst, Hilty Gerold, Löffler Heinrich, Steger Hugo, Zgusta Ladislav (eds.) (2008), "Namenforschung / Name Studies / Les noms propres", Berlin: Mouton De Gruyter
- Pamp Bengt (1993), "Ortnamnen i Sverige", Stockholm: Studentlitteratur.
The complete reading list and further references, including web sites and digital resources, will be presented during classes in order to take into account the students' preparation and the course goals. All information and materials will be available on the Ariel page, as will be registrations of online classes.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is both written and oral.
The written exam includes: 1) listening comprehension: listening of a text from a file track and written answers to questions (ca. 30 mins); 2) reading comprehension: readers with questions (ca. 40 mins); 3) written production: short essay (ca. 200 words) on a given subject (ca. 2 hours). For part 3 only, the use of a monolingual dictionary is permitted.
The oral exam consists of three parts. Part 1: a face-to-face dialogue in a Scandinavian language with the mother-tongue teacher on a theme corresponding to the contents of the practical course, including reading of an article (ca. 20 mins). Part 2: a face-to-face interview in a Scandinavian language with the course instructor (A. Meregalli) on the contents of section A (ca. 15 mins). Part 3: a face-to-face interview in a Scandinavian language with the course instructor (V. Dell'Aquila) on the contents of sections B and C (ca. 25 mins).
In part 1 the student will need to show their ability to express themself and interact in the Scandinavian language at the required level. Part 2 aims to ascertain: the student's knowledge and understanding of the lessons and the readings; the ability to comment on texts in Old Norse analysed in class; the ability to personally and critically analyse and discuss linguistic issues; the use of technical terminology. Part 3 is a dialogue with questions on the course contents and the readings selected by the student as well as the other course activities and contents; the aim is to ascertain the student's knowledge and understanding of the course contents and of the readings, the ability to personally and critically analyse and discuss linguistic issues, the use of technical terminology.
The student can choose whether to take the written or the oral exam first. The three parts of the oral exam need be taken on the same day. The whole exam must be completed within a year from the first part (written or oral).
The written exam and the oral exam-part 1 are graded with letters (from A=excellent to E=satisfactory; F=failed). The results of the written exam are published on the Ariel platform. The oral exam-parts 2 and 3 are graded on a 30-point scale. The final grade is awarded on a 30-point scale and takes into accout the results of the oral exam-parts 2 and 3 (50%) and of the other parts (50%).
Students that attend the practical course (esercitazioni) on a regular basis (at least 75% of lessons per term) can take 'partial' tests at the end of each term (December and May). For online courses students will be admitted to the partial tests on condition that they participate and deliver assignments regularly according to the instructions given during the course. These partial tests replace the written exam. The contents and structure of the partial tests are similar to the written exam (see above). The final grade is based on the test results of December and May.
The passive competence in the second Scandinavian language is assessed in a face-to-face dialogue with the mother-tongue teacher. Before this exam, the student will write and send in a paper according to the instructions given by the instructor. This interview must take place on the same day as the oral exam. Students that attend the course regularly can replace this part of the exam with other acitivities to be discussed with the instructor. For this part there is no grade, only a "passed/failed" assessment.
At the end of section A (corso monografico-parte A) there will be a test for attending students, if practical conditions (classroom size, number of participants etc.) allow it. This test replaces the oral exam-part 2. Details will be discussed in class.
The student can reject the result of the written and/or oral exam (in the latter case, this will be registered as "ritirato").
International or Erasmus incoming students are required to contact the teacher as soon as possible. Students with SLD are advised to contact the teacher in order to plan specific exam activities according to the instructions of the office in charge.
The written exam includes: 1) listening comprehension: listening of a text from a file track and written answers to questions (ca. 30 mins); 2) reading comprehension: readers with questions (ca. 40 mins); 3) written production: short essay (ca. 200 words) on a given subject (ca. 2 hours). For part 3 only, the use of a monolingual dictionary is permitted.
The oral exam consists of three parts. Part 1: a face-to-face dialogue in a Scandinavian language with the mother-tongue teacher on a theme corresponding to the contents of the practical course, including reading of an article (ca. 20 mins). Part 2: a face-to-face interview in a Scandinavian language with the course instructor (A. Meregalli) on the contents of section A (ca. 15 mins). Part 3: a face-to-face interview in a Scandinavian language with the course instructor (V. Dell'Aquila) on the contents of sections B and C (ca. 25 mins).
In part 1 the student will need to show their ability to express themself and interact in the Scandinavian language at the required level. Part 2 aims to ascertain: the student's knowledge and understanding of the lessons and the readings; the ability to comment on texts in Old Norse analysed in class; the ability to personally and critically analyse and discuss linguistic issues; the use of technical terminology. Part 3 is a dialogue with questions on the course contents and the readings selected by the student as well as the other course activities and contents; the aim is to ascertain the student's knowledge and understanding of the course contents and of the readings, the ability to personally and critically analyse and discuss linguistic issues, the use of technical terminology.
The student can choose whether to take the written or the oral exam first. The three parts of the oral exam need be taken on the same day. The whole exam must be completed within a year from the first part (written or oral).
The written exam and the oral exam-part 1 are graded with letters (from A=excellent to E=satisfactory; F=failed). The results of the written exam are published on the Ariel platform. The oral exam-parts 2 and 3 are graded on a 30-point scale. The final grade is awarded on a 30-point scale and takes into accout the results of the oral exam-parts 2 and 3 (50%) and of the other parts (50%).
Students that attend the practical course (esercitazioni) on a regular basis (at least 75% of lessons per term) can take 'partial' tests at the end of each term (December and May). For online courses students will be admitted to the partial tests on condition that they participate and deliver assignments regularly according to the instructions given during the course. These partial tests replace the written exam. The contents and structure of the partial tests are similar to the written exam (see above). The final grade is based on the test results of December and May.
The passive competence in the second Scandinavian language is assessed in a face-to-face dialogue with the mother-tongue teacher. Before this exam, the student will write and send in a paper according to the instructions given by the instructor. This interview must take place on the same day as the oral exam. Students that attend the course regularly can replace this part of the exam with other acitivities to be discussed with the instructor. For this part there is no grade, only a "passed/failed" assessment.
At the end of section A (corso monografico-parte A) there will be a test for attending students, if practical conditions (classroom size, number of participants etc.) allow it. This test replaces the oral exam-part 2. Details will be discussed in class.
The student can reject the result of the written and/or oral exam (in the latter case, this will be registered as "ritirato").
International or Erasmus incoming students are required to contact the teacher as soon as possible. Students with SLD are advised to contact the teacher in order to plan specific exam activities according to the instructions of the office in charge.
L-LIN/15 - NORDIC LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Dell'Aquila Vittorio, Meregalli Andrea
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday, 2 p.m. on Teams or at office. Please contact me in advance in order to organize office hours.
Department of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Mediations. Piazza S. Alessandro, 1