A linguistically-informed introduction to the history of the language including aspects of ongoing change in present-day German will form the core of the course and provide an overview of the major features of change in the sound system, vocabulary, word structure and syntax. It will also examine how some of these changes can be seen as associated with changes in the cultural and socio-political make-up of German society. Rather than focusing on comprehensive factual detail the course aims to create an understanding of the underlying principles and mechanisms of language change and how these are reflected in the German language today.

One test (50%) and one paper/project (50%).

2.5 hours of classes per week

GERM2106 Intermediate German 2 or equivalent competence

(recommended): GERM3007 Advanced German 1