Admission requirements
Introductory (BA-level) courses in (English) syntax and (English) phonology. If in doubt, consult the course tutor(s) before registering.
Description
The study of word formation deals with the ways in which new words are built on the basis of other words (e.g. clue-less-ness). In this course, we will examine a number of perspectives on word formation and apply these to English. What types of word formation processes are there in English? Are the rules that build words similar to the rules that build sentences? How are complex words stored in the brain? And how does word formation throw light on the way that languages change, and on how they are acquired from birth or in the classroom as a second language?
Course objectives
Students have gained insight into the different types of word formation in English.
Students are able to critically assess different theoretical approaches to English word formation on the basis of linguistic data.
Students are able to apply different theoretical approaches to English word formation in their own written work, as well as in oral presentations.
Students are familiar with current issues in the study of English word formation.
Students in the MA-education programme are able to reflect on the relevance of their presentation and essay topic for the Dutch secondary classroom.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment Method
Presentations, classroom participation (20%)
Writing assignment (20%)
Essay (30%)
Written exam (30%)
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. In order to pass the course, a minimum of a 5.5 is required for both the essay and the written exam.
Resit
If the mark for the essay is a 5.49 or lower, a resit essay must be submitted during the resit exam period. If the mark for the written exam is a 5.49 or lower, the exam will have to be retaken during the resit exam period.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
Plag, Ingo (2018). Word Formation in English (2nd edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [Note: the first (2003) edition of the coursebook is outdated, and is no longer suitable for this course.]
Additional reading material (to be announced)
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Reuvensplaats