Introduction to the Study of Western European Languages and Cultures
Course code
GRR6805.HT
old course code
Course title in Estonian
Sissejuhatus Lääne-Euroopa keelte ja kultuuride uurimisse
Course title in English
Introduction to the Study of Western European Languages and Cultures
ECTS credits
6.0
Assessment form
Examination
lecturer of 2026/2027 Autumn semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
lecturer of 2026/2027 Spring semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
Course aims
Provide an overview and theoretical foundation in Western European languages, cultures and literary studies.
Introduce main terminology in these fields
Apply concepts learned in the course into practical analysis of texts.
Provide the foundation for subsequent research work in the languages of their major disciplines.
Stimulate interest into choosing a minor in other languages within the curriculum.
Introduce main terminology in these fields
Apply concepts learned in the course into practical analysis of texts.
Provide the foundation for subsequent research work in the languages of their major disciplines.
Stimulate interest into choosing a minor in other languages within the curriculum.
Brief description of the course
This introductory course provides an overview of the shared foundations of Western European languages and cultures while introducing the fundamental principles of their study.
Based on an interdisciplinary approach, the course is structured thematically, addressing key topics such as structuralism and post-structuralism, semiotics, the linguistic, cognitive, and material turns, language typology, metaphor theory, genre studies, and gender studies. These topics are examined from the perspectives of linguistics and literary studies.
This theoretical framework enables a deeper understanding of how different approaches contribute to the interpretation of Western European languages and cultures, both historically and in contemporary contexts, thereby providing a strong foundation for further studies and research. That is why, in addition to theoretical exploration, the course also emphasizes practical application, guiding students in integrating acquired theoretical knowledge within their specific field of study. The theoretical framework is applied to the analysis and reflection on texts related to the languages and cultures studied, allowing students to develop their analytical thinking and critical approach to research materials.
Based on an interdisciplinary approach, the course is structured thematically, addressing key topics such as structuralism and post-structuralism, semiotics, the linguistic, cognitive, and material turns, language typology, metaphor theory, genre studies, and gender studies. These topics are examined from the perspectives of linguistics and literary studies.
This theoretical framework enables a deeper understanding of how different approaches contribute to the interpretation of Western European languages and cultures, both historically and in contemporary contexts, thereby providing a strong foundation for further studies and research. That is why, in addition to theoretical exploration, the course also emphasizes practical application, guiding students in integrating acquired theoretical knowledge within their specific field of study. The theoretical framework is applied to the analysis and reflection on texts related to the languages and cultures studied, allowing students to develop their analytical thinking and critical approach to research materials.
Learning outcomes in the course
Upon completing the course the student:
- understands the fundamentals of the study of languages and cultures and the connections between these fields;
- has working knowledge of the development of Indo-European languages, especially the Romance and Germanic branches, and their common cultural background;
- is familiar with the most important approaches in linguistics and literary studies (e.g. Saussure, structuralism, semiotics etc) and their impact on literary and cultural studies;
- understands the importance of metaphors in both Aristotle's poetics and modern linguistics and literary studies;
- is familiar with language typology and genre theory;
- is able to analyze the differences between grammatical and semantic gender and gender issues in cultural studies.·
- understands the fundamentals of the study of languages and cultures and the connections between these fields;
- has working knowledge of the development of Indo-European languages, especially the Romance and Germanic branches, and their common cultural background;
- is familiar with the most important approaches in linguistics and literary studies (e.g. Saussure, structuralism, semiotics etc) and their impact on literary and cultural studies;
- understands the importance of metaphors in both Aristotle's poetics and modern linguistics and literary studies;
- is familiar with language typology and genre theory;
- is able to analyze the differences between grammatical and semantic gender and gender issues in cultural studies.·
Teacher
Alpo Honkapohja
Study programmes containing that course