Somali Grammar and Linguistics

The course is offered as a freestanding course.

To be admitted to the course, students must have completed the course SO1205 Somali IV, SOL230 Somali Syntax or SOL270 Somali Morphology, or the equivalent.
Exception is made to the requirement for Swedish as a general entry requirement.

The course provides a systematic overview of Somali grammar from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. The course also addresses a selection of linguistic problems of particular relevance to Somali in more detail, and various theoretical approaches to these questions are introduced through the study of scientific articles. Various linguistic methods and their applications within Somali linguistics are also briefly addressed.

On successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• explain the most important parts of Somali grammar;
• explain linguistic concepts, theories, and methods covered in the course;

Competence and skills

• practically apply the grammatical knowledge conveyed in the course;
• use appropriate linguistic concepts for the analysis of Somali language examples;
• formulate and discuss linguistic problems relevant to Somali;
• gather and analyze information from various sources to draw conclusions about different linguistic structures in Somali;

Judgement and approach

• adopt a critical and problematizing approach to grammatical description.

This is an online course. The teaching is conducted in the form of lectures, seminars and written exercises on the learning platform of the University of Gothenburg.

Language of instruction: English

To what extent students have achieved the aims of the course is tested through continuous compulsory assignments during the course as well as a written examination at the end of the course.

A student who has failed a course item is eligible for a retake exam/assignment. In connection with written assignments, supplementary assignments may be offered in order for the student to achieve a Pass grade. Such a supplementary assignment should be done within the stipulated time (normally five working days after the result has been posted). Otherwise a Fail grade will be reported.

A student who has completed an exam/assignment with a passing grade is not eligible for a retake for the purpose of receiving a higher grade. Nor may a student withdraw a test/assignment once it has been submitted for the purpose of avoiding receiving a grade
for the work.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). For the grade Pass with distinction on the whole course, this grade is required on the final examination.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Equality aspects should be taken into consideration in content, literature, teaching and evaluation.

To follow a web-based course, students must have access to a computer, web camera and stable broadband connection.