Learning objectives
The course aims to examine the notions presented during the three-year course in greater depth. In addition, through the reading of a text, students will be presented directly with the linguistic reality of the period, opening up students’ perspective on the history, culture and way of life of the ancient Germanic peoples.
Prerequisites
At least passive knowledge of one modern Germanic language. In addition students must have good knowledge of the historical and linguistic information provided during the three-year degree course.
Course unit content
Subdivision of Germanic languages into their various branches, with particular attention to phenomena of the individual branches (Ingvaeonic, Nordic, Western Germanic) and to phenomena that are traceable in the individual languages (single-dialect phenomena). In addition, a text in an ancient Germanic language will be examined and commented. This year the “Muspilli” has been chosen, a poem written in Old High German (Old Bavarian) and dating to the ninth century of the Common Era. If possible the course will attempt a reading of some lines of the Helian, written in Old Saxon and also dating to the first half of the ninth century.
Full programme
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Bibliography
The textbook used in the three-year degree course will continue to be used, and read more extensively. Here too additional readings on the individual languages and on the individual “branches” of Germanic languages may be provided during the lessons.
Teaching methods
Here too exams are mainly oral and aim to test students’ abilities in critically reconstructing common proto-Germanic and Germanic forms by means of targeted questions. In addition during the oral exam students will be required to read and comment a passage in the original language examined during the lessons.
Assessment methods and criteria
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Other information
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