Humboldt University Berlin

This introductory seminar gives a survey of historical change in phonology, morphology/syntax, and the lexicon across the Old, Middle, and (Early/Late) Modern English periods to the present day as well as of current geographical and socio-functional variation in the English language. It thus emphasizes the close relationship between language change and variation. It introduces the concept of the sociolinguistic situation with its various parameters and presents language change and variation as complex processes determined by the interaction of language-internal forces and extralinguistic factors.

This course focuses on qualitative research methods within geography. The aim is to provide the students with basic knowledge of how to understand, plan, carry out, write up, and evaluate qualitative research. The course begins by discussing what qualitative research is and how knowledge is established. This is followed by discussions on research ethics, positionality, and representationality within qualitative research. Building upon this knowledge, the course turns to how to develop, plan, and carry out a qualitative research project. Qualitative methods such as interviews, participant observation, and questionnaires are introduced. Qualitative data processing such as coding and computer software available for this are then be introduced. The last part of the course is devoted to the analysis, writing, and presentation of qualitative research. As such, the course takes the students through all the import steps related to qualitative research, from planning, carrying it out, treating the data, evaluating the validity, writing it up, to presenting it.

In the B2 level, students systematize, consolidate, and expand basic knowledge of lexis and grammar acquired in the basic and lower intermediate level. The development of academic work forms and techniques is becoming increasingly important. Course objectives include the improvement of the active and passive language use through the systematic extension of the vocabulary as well as a focus on the training of oral and written skills. Further emphasis is given to the development of the language skills in everyday life as well as study-related situations in Germany. The B2 level is split into two courses, the B2.1 course covers the first half of the level and the B2.2 course covers the second half of the level.

This course focuses on different body-political movements. Which bodies are excluded, suppressed, bequeathed, violated and how? Which resistances are formed against this? How do they organize themselves? What significance does corporality have in these resistances? For this purpose the course examines activist practice, as well as some theory. The course includes guest speakers (currently planned: "Sex Worker Action Group Berlin" and "Disabled and Crazy Celebration Pride Parade Berlin"), participatory observations, and opportunities to exchange knowledge, experiences, and different perspectives. This course includes a short review of topics covered during the first semester version of the course.

The course teaches Spanish speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills at the advanced beginning level, intended for students who have completed the A1 level of Spanish. The grade is based on participation, presentation of written work, and a final exam.

This course for foreign students is designed to improve students’ language skills and vocabulary. Areas of focus include grammar, conversation, writing exercises, and listening and reading exercises. In addition, planned excursions introduce students to German culture. Students work with cultural and historical topics in everyday situations and broaden their intercultural knowledge. They are introduced to independent learning methods and familiarize themselves with typical learning situations at German universities. In this class at the C1 level according to CEFR, students do in-depth study of grammatical structures that are typical of academic writing and its application in text production and reception. They systematically expand their vocabulary (including abstract vocabulary) and stylistic ways of expression. Students critically analyze different types of texts. They learn working techniques to plan, structure, and present complex subject matter. The C1 level is split into two consecutive courses, the C1.1 course covers the first half of the level and the C1.2 course covers the second half of the level.

This seminar explores the relationship between language and cognition, investigating a variety of theoretical models and evaluating the empirical evidence collected to substantiate these models. The theoretical perspectives taken fall primarily within the sub-disciplines of psycholinguistics, cognitive linguistics, and anthropological linguistics.