Linguistics and literary studies in Brussels

3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 2 with catalog number 4021394ENW for working 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)

Activities and contact hours

12 contact hours Lecture
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.

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:
Oral Exam determines 60% of the final mark.
PRAC Practical Assignment determines 20% of the final mark.
SELF Teamwork determines 20% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Exam with a relative weight of 60 which comprises 60% of the final mark.

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

ASSIGN with a relative weight of 20 which comprises 20% of the final mark.

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

SELF with a relative weight of 20 which comprises 20% of the final mark.

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 10-15).

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