Linguistics and literary studies in Brussels

3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4021395ENR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester

1st and 2nd semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Taught in

English

Faculty

Faculty of Languages & Humanities

Department

Linguistics and Literary Studies

Educational team

Ann Peeters (course titular)
Rachele Gusella
Bao Ngoc Dinh

Activities and contact hours

14 contact hours Lecture
25 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
30 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

Brussels is often considered the multilingual heart of Europe. Not only is the city the capital of an officially trilingual state, it also hosts a wide variety of nationalities and cultures. This results in a social, cultural and linguistic variety that cannot be found in many cities around the globe.

Furthermore, Brussels has been home to some of the world's most famous authors (Alexandre Dumas, Lord Byron, Emily Brönte, Honoré de Balzac, Charles Baudelaire, Arthur Rimbaud, ...). We also find descriptions of Brussels and its inhabitants in several literary works.

This course offers an introduction to multilingualism, literature and interculturalism in Brussels through a series of assignments.

Course material

Digital course material (Required) : Online video recordings, Ann Peeters
Course text (Required) : Digital course material related to conducting surveys and interviews

Additional info

All classes will be recorded.

Learning Outcomes

General Competencies

Learning outcomes:

- students gain insights in the linguistic variety of Brussels
- students gain insights in the richness of the Brussels' literary context (literature in Brussels and literature on Brussels)
- students are able autonomously to present their findings in an academic paper and video presentation
- students are able to observe and analyse the complex multilingual and multicultural context of Brussels

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
SELF Practical Assignment determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the SELF Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Self pract. assignment with a relative weight of 100 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Note: Students must participate in all parts of the evaluation process in order to pass the course. Absence of a mandatory part of the evaluation leads to an absence as a final result.

Students can transfer the results of those parts of the evaluation process for which they have already obtained a pass mark to the next exam session.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The course consists of two specific assignments:

As part of this course, enrolled students are expected to independently set up a small-scale research project on one of the following topics:

- Multilingualism and policy on refugees and asylum seekers

- Multilingualism and the justice system

- Multilingualism and the medical sector

- Multilingualism and education

- Multilingualism and the media (movies and television series)

- Multilingual bookshops

- Multilingual communication in times of COVID

- Multilingual practices in popular music

- Multilingualism and city literature

More specifically, students are asked to carry out a research project related to the selected topic. This can consist of a series of in-depth interviews with stakeholders (approximately 5) or a survey with a selected group of participants (approximately 15-20).

2. On the basis of written feedback, students are asked to elaborate on the design and the results of the conducted research project in a written paper of 2,500-3,000 words.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context