Profile Module African Linguistics
The Profile Module African Linguistics is one of the seven options within Specialization Module 1 which serves to develop a student’s own profile from among current specialization areas in linguistics. Students are required to choose one of these five profiles (see right column), which is later included on the final transcript. The choice of profile also determines the area the thesis is written in, meaning that the thesis supervisor will stem from the area in question.
Specialization Module 1 focusses on scientific competence in its cognitive, functional, and methodological dimensions, providing theoretical knowledge, profile-specific methodic competence, as well as the ability to think and act in a scientifically competent manner in both academic and non-academic contexts.
Please find FAQs regarding the Profile Module African Linguistics below.
What is the field of study about?
Anthropological Linguistics
This seminar offers a basic introduction to anthropological linguistics and deals with the relationship between language, culture and environment by considering detailed case studies as well as pioneering comparative research approaches, with a focus on African languages .
Sociolinguistics
In this seminar the focus is mainly on the sociolinguistics of tourism. It is based on semiotic analyses of tourism and shows that tourism has its own discourse. The linguistic landscape functions as an important semiotic resource for the local consumption of tourism. Furthermore, concepts of precarity, ruin and othering are considered.
Languages
Our permanent offering includes Hausa and Swahili lessons as well as courses in Ancient Egyptian. These courses can be selected additionally in the language module.
What is African Linguistics at Cologne University all about?
In teaching and research, we address current issues of cultural change, such as language in tourism, youth language and social media, cultural and colonial heritage, indigenous groups, inequality and postcolonial criticism.
In African Linguistics, we see language as a socially and culturally embedded phenomenon and our linguistic research and teaching is therefore strongly based on sociolinguistic, interactional and anthropological approaches and methods.
We maintain very good exchange relationships with many universities in Africa and beyond, which enrich our teaching and research.
What are the requirements?
If you want to specialize in African Linguistics, you should have basic knowledge of the following subjects:
- Linguistics
- Theories and models of the linguistic history of Africa
- Understanding the basic processes of language change and language development in Africa
- Cultural studies theories on globalization and localization
If you are not sure whether your previous knowledge is sufficient, you can participate in the course "Methods and Fields of Work in African Studies".
Which modules is the field of study principally involved in?
Who can I contact?
