Winter semester 2010:
1) PhD seminar (2 credits) together with Macell Sebők: „PhD Medieval Studies Seminar I“
2) Advanced reading course (2 credits): “Old Church Slavonic”
1) Brief course description of the PhD Medieval Studies Seminar I:
Predefenses, presentations by faculty members, and guest lectures about various medieval topics
Requirements:
All registered doctoral students are expected to attend the seminar and take part in the discussion following each presentation.
Learning outcomes:
This seminar offers doctoral students the opportunity to follow in detail different research debates and to observe how academic research can create new results within a self-identifying system. Doctoral students will develop the ability to follow the patterns and concepts of scholarly discussions and will be introduced to different research approaches. Through presentations (correferatum) and discussions doctoral students will improve their skills in academic problem-solving. The presentations will also assist them to identify topics within already intensively explored research fields. Discussions following the presentations will offer examples of how academic ideas can be developed and defended in scholarly debates.
Through faculty, guest lecturers, and advanced doctoral student presentations, doctoral candidates will recognize the various steps needed to write a doctoral thesis. They will also get familiar with how to structure a topic and how to deal with primary and secondary literature.
The learning outcome is aimed at doctoral students who are almost finished with their doctoral theses as well as probationary doctoral students who are working on their dissertation prospectuses.
All requested materials (outlines, draft prospectuses, exam topics, exam bibliographies) should be circulated via MEDEDIT well before each class to allow participants to acquaint themselves with the contents.
The actual schedule is always available at MEDEDIT
2) Brief course description of the Old Church Slavonic reading course:
The course goal is to enable the students to read and understand Old Slavonic texts in different regards. It is planned to develop a general knowledge of the Old Slavonic language with its rich grammatical and lexical opportunities. At the same time, it will allow students to apply their knowledge to a distinct analysis of the linguistic and historical circumstances of the texts. The participants should be able to detect the specific characteristics of the texts and to draw their conclusions. Therefore, the course is is to be seen not only as a language course but at the same time as a genuine historical reading group that tries to discuss historical questions as one of its main fields of interest.
Learning Outcomes:
The reading group will extend its specific aims far beyond the mere comprehensation of Old Slavonic texts. Besides knowledge about the Old Slavonic language, its grammar, lexis, and role and function within the historical developments of Slavic languages, the reading group will achieve to interpretation of the texts within their specific historical backgrounds. By analyzing the circumstances of the creation of the texts the students will be able to comprehend important aspects of manuscript tradition, linguistic diversity, and historical function of the texts. The great discrepancy between the oldest manuscripts and the supposed dating of the texts will be one interesting issue among many others. Summary of learning outcomes: 1. Specific knowledge: Ability to read primary source material, specifically, familiarity with the grammar and word fund of Old Church Slavonic, assessed in classroom activities and the final test. 2. Understanding the relation between primary source materials and analytical approaches: Assessed in preparation of texts and class discussions. 3. Ability to make a well-argued analysis: Assessed in the instructor’s evaluation of reading, translating, and discussing texts.
Assessment :
10% Class participation 50% Preparation of texts (with grammatical explanations) 40% An explanation and translation of a text (as homework) The grammatical part will be covered by S. C. Gardiner: Old Church Slavonic. An elementary grammar (Cambridge 1984).
Full description:
The course will give an introduction to the reading of Old Slavonic texts. It is focussed on the reading of texts within the historical background. It is specially composed for historians who want to work with Old Slavonic texts as a part of their scientific work. The specific components of Old Church Slavonic wil be learned by reading texts and using the knowledge of the participants derived from other Slavic languages. The study of grammar and lexis will be drawn from exemples in texts as a part of the reading process. At the end the course, the study group will have discussed the principal aspects of Old Slavonic grammar and lexis. Of course, everybody is welcome.
The Winter term will be dedicated to various theological, bhistorical and apocaplyptic texts, e. g. texts about the Life of Saint Irenaeus and the chronicle of Manasses.
