Studiegids

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Language and Identity of Minorities in Siberia

Vak
2014-2015

Admission requirements

BA (e.g. Russian Studies, Linguistics)

Description

Within the Eurasian discourse, the indigenous peoples of Siberia are typically assigned a marginal role. Yet Siberia constitutes a large part of the Eurasian area, and displays a highly diverse ethnolinguistic profile, comprising about 36 ethnic groups, speaking 40 different languages that belong to 10 languages families.
This course bridges this gap by addressing the linguistic and social position of the minority peoples of Siberia. In particular it focuses on the role of language, language policies and the changing ideas about ethnicity in the establishment of ethnolinguistic identity during the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union as well as in recent years.
The course combines historical, linguistic-typological and sociological components to gain an understanding of the current position of the indigenous peoples in Siberia, both in relation to the Russians, as well as to each other.

Course objectives

Knowledge:
This course provides students with in depth knowledge of the indigenous peoples of Siberia,their languages and their typological characteristics. In addition, students will become aware of the impact of language policy, the relativity of ethnic identity, as well as of the interplay of language, politics, and changing ideas about human nature in the process of identity formation.

Skills:
Research
Writing
Presentation

Timetable

See website en uSis.

Mode of instruction

Seminar

Course Load

Total 280 hrs (10EC)
Class 26 hrs
Literature research 100 hrs
Research paper 154 hrs.

Assessment method

Assessment and grading method (in percentages):.

  • essay (75%)

  • presentations (25%)
    Essay can be retaken.

Blackboard

Yes. Use Blackboard to check the course information (course schedule, course materials, announcements).

Reading list

To be announced

Registration

Via uSis.

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Registration Studeren à la carte via: www.hum.leidenuniv.nl/onderwijs/alacarte
Registration Contractonderwijs via: http://www.hum.leidenuniv.nl/onderwijs/contractonderwijs/

Contact

With Dr. E.L. Stapert

Remarks