UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI
POSTGRADUATE
PROSPECTUS
© 2013 www.unimaid.edu.ng
FACULTY OF ARTS
UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI
DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGES AND LINGUISTICS
PH.D. GENERAL LINGUISTICS: SYLLABUS
Professional linguists are required in many areas of federal life, including
teaching, publishing and broadcasting. The description of many Nigerian languages
and their use being still at a beginning, it is deemed advisable to offer students
training in linguistics. With such training, they will be able to initiate studies on
previously undescribed languages, research in greater detail the grammar of the
main language taught in the Department, and carry out research on language use in
the University’s catchment areas.
1.
Admission Requirements
For admission into the Ph.D. (General Linguistics) programme, a candidate must
satisfy the admission requirements set out in the “General Regulations Governing
Postgraduate Studies” of the University of Maiduguri. Specifically, candidates should
be holders of:
(a) Master of Arts Degree in General Linguistics
OR
(b) Master of Arts Degree in Linguistics of any of the languages taught at the
University of Maiduguri, e.g. Arabic, French, Fulfulde, English, Hausa, Kanuri
etc.
OR
(c) Master of Arts Degree in a related discipline (e.g. Applied Linguistics,
Educational Linguistics etc.) provided pre-requisite courses at the Masters
level determined by the Department, are successfully completed.
2.
Course Requirements
A candidate for the Ph.D. Degree in General Linguistics shall:
(a) Take and pass a minimum of 60 units, made up of 20 units of course work
and 40 units of Ph.D. Thesis,
(b) Take and pass 10 units of compulsory courses,
(c ) Take and pass at least 10 units of elective courses; and
(d) Maintain a B average.
3.
Duration of the Programme
The programme will normally be of a minimum duration of six semesters and
a maximum of ten semesters (five years). In exceptional cases, candidates may be
considered for extension of study period on the recommendation of the Board of
Postgraduate Studies.
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Course No.
LL 800
LL 816
LL 818
LL 821
LL 826
LL 830
LL 837
LL 840
LL 899
Course Title
Advanced Research Methodology
Sociolinguistics
Historical Linguistics
Phonetics
Phonology
Syntax
Linguistic Analysis
Lexicography
Doctoral Thesis
(b) Elective Courses
LL 812
Ethnolinguistics
LL 813
Classification of African Languages
LL 825
Seminar in Phonetics and Phonology
LL 827
Seminar in Phonology & Morphology
LL 835
Seminar in Syntax & Semantics
LL 861
Language Planning & Development
LL 890
Advanced Reading Skills in German,
French or Arabic
Units
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
40
2
2
3
3
3
2
2
LL 800 – Advanced Research Methods
– 2 units
The four basic types of research methodology will be covered by this course:
Historical, Descriptive, Analytical Survey and Experimental.
Under Historical Methodology, the chronology – historiography dichotomy will
be examined.
Descriptive Survey Methodology will be seen in terms of:
Interview techniques, case study, tape-recording, research population
selection, questionnaire etc.
Analytical Survey Methodology will essentially involve statistical methods of
research.
Finally, the Experimental Methodology will involve different types of
experimental designs. This course will generally be a practical one.
LL 812 – Ethnolinguistics – 2 units
Study of the relationship between language and ethnicity, from Humboldt via
Whorf to the present. Whilst posting the uniqueness of language systems, the
change of ethnicity, by incorporation, assimilation etc. will be studied in relation to
nationality, with reference to Schools of Thought in America, France, Germany
and Russia and examples from Africa, Europe and Asia.
LL 813 – Classification of African Languages – 2 units
An overview of the classification of African languages from the beginning,
highlighting milestones in the evolution of African language classification. The preGreenberg era (Pre- 1955) from a socio-cultural viewpoint (e.g. Meinhof’s
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attempt); the Greenberg era (1955-70s onwards) will be examined, including
recent attempts to restructure Niger-Congo, Nilo-Saharan and Afro-Asiatic.
LL 816 – Sociolinguistics – 2 units
The emphasis is placed on language function and use in multilingual societies.
Topics include the notion of sociolinguistic variables, random sample surveys and
other form of participatory and unobtrusive observation; linguistic variation and
social networks, prestige variants, diglossia, code switching, as well as statistical
procedures.
LL 818 – Historical Linguistics – 2 units
Internal reconstruction, the comparative method, the mass comparison
technique and the reconstruction of proto languages. The causes of linguistic
change (system internal, borrowing, large-scale language shift, creolization,
sociolinguistic correlates of change) and their relation to the theory of genetic
linguistics. Examples from African languages and elsewhere.
LL 821 – Phonetics – 2 units
Fundamental concepts of phonetic theory will be examined. Lectures and
practical on/in the production, description and classification of speech sounds,
their function in various African and other languages. Distinctive feature analysis,
emphasis on ear-training and production, including practical work in transcription
and data collection.
LL 825 – Seminar in Phonetics and Phonology – 3 units
The physiology of speech production, acoustic phonetics, and speech
perception will be covered. The phonology part will examine select topics (e.g.
generative phonology): the phonological process will also be examined. Whereas
a variety of African languages will be used for exemplification, those taught in the
Department will be stressed. Students will be expected to present and write up 2
short papers/projects on some topics related to any of the above issues.
LL 826 – Phonology – 2 units
The course aims to examine critically the fundamental principles/concepts of
phonology (e.g. generative phonology). It will focus on the current issues in
phonological description with special reference to framework developed for the
analysis of phonological units: syllable, tone, stress, length, vowel harmony etc.
Students will be required to solve a series of phonological problems drawn from a
large number of languages.
LL 827 – Seminar in Phonology and Morphology – 3 units
The seminar aims to provide a critical examination of the structure of
phonological, segmental and suprasegmental units; and the problem of lexical
representations and phonological rules. Morpho-phonemic rules will be covered.
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Students will be expected to prepare 2 short papers/projets on a topic related to
the focus of the seminar.
LL 830 – Syntax - 2 units
The course aims to examine critically the major descriptive devices and recent
framework of grammatical description, including the fundamentals of the theories
of generative transformational grammar, government and binding, relational
grammar, generalized phrase structure grammar, case grammar and lexical
functional grammar. There will be integrated discussion of theory and analysis.
LL 835 – Seminar in Syntax and Semantics – 3 units
The seminar aims to examine various questions surrounding the concepts of
‘syntactic level’ and ‘grammatical construction’ in current syntactic theory, as per
course LL 830. Students will be expected to present 2 papers/projects on some
topics related to the focus of the seminar.
LL 837 – Linguistic Analysis – 2 units
The course will focus on the languages taught in the Faculty. Any of the
languages may be chosen and aspects of the grammatical structure of the
language may be explored, progressing from the phonetic structure, through
morphological structure to aspects of syntax.
LL 840 – Lexicography – 2 units
Theories of lexicology and principles of lexicography: the meaning and
morphology of the word and the structure of the lexicon; concepts of bilingual
and monolingual dictionaries: field work in language lexicography, with the
practical aim to prepare dictionaries and special vocabularies.
LL 881 – Language Planning and Development – 2 units
Against a background survey of language of/in Nigeria, various methods of LP
will be applied: the minimalist (reduction of languages) maximalist (functional use
of all speech forms) and medianist (judicious choice from either side). Language
is to be seen and planned, both as a form of cultural wealth and as a mean of
communication. LP forces and agencies, as well as methods of language
management will be considered.
LL 890 – Advanced Reading Skills – 0 units
This course aims at developing the reading ability of candidates in major
international languages. Apart from English, the course will focus on French and
German in view of the historical importance of these languages to the catchments
area of the University. This course must be taken and passed in two consecutive
semesters.
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LL 899 – Thesis – 40 units
A thesis, written in English, of not less than 50,000 words, embodying the
candidate’s own research into any aspects of linguistics; such research not to
have been presented elsewhere wholly or partly, to have been carried out under
supervision, and to constitute an original contribution to knowledge.
M.A. HAUSA STUDIES
COMPULSORY AND ELECTIVE COURSES
(a)
Compulsory Courses
Course No.
LLH 700
LLH 701
LLH 702
LLH 704
LLH 705
LLH 706
LLH 707
LLH 790
LLH 799
(b)
LLH
LLH
LLH
LLH
Course Title
Research Methods
Dialectology
Translation Skills
Study of Hausa Literary Genres
Hausa Islamic Verse
Criticism of Africa Lit.
History of Hausa Prose
Reading Skills in German, French or Arabic
Dissertation
Elective Courses
709
The Area and Status of Hausa
744
Applied Linguistics
750
Language Comparison
755
Theoretical Linguistics
Units
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
10
Semester
I
I
I
II
I
II
II
I & II
IV
2
2
2
2
II
II
I
II
Minimum Required Number of Units
=
34
*LLH 790 = Compulsory, but does not carry unit.
LLH 700 – Research Methods – 2 units
The course is designed to prepare student for scholarly research. The
techniques of collecting, recording, transcribing, transliterating and editing
materials.
LLH 701 – Dialectology – 2 units
A study of different approaches to dialect description i.e. the diachronic
approach and the synchronic approach. The study of Hausa dialect. Explanation
for the Hausa dialect variation through phonological rules.
LLH 702 – Translation Skills 2 units
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Training in the technique of translating texts to be chosen from specialized
areas like literature, science and technology, scriptures, the 18th and 19th
century religious poetry written in Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri etc.
LLH 703 – Advanced Hausa Syntax – 2 units
The exposition of the theories of Hausa grammar and their application to
Hausa phrase structure.
LLH 704 – Study of the Hausa Literary Genres – 2 units
Main categories of Hausa literature according to local researchers. Hausa
genres and “universal” classification of genres. Genres of oral literature, Islamic
verse, chronicles, historical and ethnographic tales. Types of modern poetry and
prose. Criticism of Hausa literature and world literature.
LLH 705 – Hausa Islamic Verse – 2 units
Tradition of written literature, writing in Arabic, prose works of the jihad
leaders. Beginnings of literary traditions in Hausa. Main categories, themes and
sources of Hausa Islamic verse. Criteria of criticism, social aspects of Hausa
Islamic verse and its influence on modern poetry.
LLH 706 – Criticism of African Literature – 2 units
Course dealing with a variety of techniques and approaches to African
literature. Presentation and evaluation will be conducted by the members of the
class. (To be offered by English Department = ENG 706).
LL 707 – History of Hausa Prose – 2 units
Prose on bordering of oral and written traditions. Institutional basis of writing
in boko. Different types of novels; autobiographies, biographies and memoirs;
short story, travel essay; political pamphlet. Metamorphosis of styles, forms and
motifs.
ADAPTIONS OF WORLD LITERATURE
LLH 708 – Reading Skills in Arabic, French or German – 2 units
The compulsory course is designed to equip the student with reading ability in
his language of choice.
LLH 709 – The Area and Status of Hausa – 2 units
A study of the status, area and spread of Hausa in Africa and beyond.
LLH 744 – Applied Linguistics – 2units
The cognitive, social and administrative aspects of media of learning and
instruction; methods of language teaching; interaction in the classroom and
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school with emphasis on empirical analysis of situations found during teaching
practice.
LL 750 – Language Comparison - 2 units
Diachronic and synchronic comparison; mass comparison and the comparative
method; presentation of phylogenetic and typological classification;
lexicostatistics; language universals.
LLH 755 – Theoretical Linguistics – 2 units
The development of linguistic theory through history.
LLH 799 Dissertation – 10 units
A topic on grammar, literature, culture or translation and edition consisting of
the candidate’s own presentation and formulation which will not have been
presented for a higher degree at any other University/Institution. The dissertation
shall be in Hausa, where appropriate.
M.A. KANURI STUDIES
COMPULSORY AND ELECTIVE COURSES
(a)
Compulsory Courses
Course No. Course Title
Units
LLK 700
Research Methods
2
LLK 705
Theoretical Linguistics
2
LLK 710
Applied Linguistics
2
LLK 712
Language Comparison
2
LLK 715
Phonological Variation in Kanuri
2
LLK 720
Modern Syntactic Methods Applied to Kanuri
2
LLK 725
The Kanuri Verbal System
2
LLK 730
Introduction to Lexicography with ref. to Kanuri 2
LLK 750
The Saharan Languages in the Nilo-Saharan
Framework
2
LLK 755
Kanuri Language Planning
2
LLK 770
Kanuri Literature and Genre Theory
2
LLK 799
Dissertation
10
(b) Elective Courses
LLK 775
Criticism of African Literature
LLK 790
Reading Skills in Arabic, French or German
LLK 795
Translation Skills
2
2
2
COURSE DESCRIPTION
LLK 700 – Research Methods – 2 units
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The course is designed to prepare students for scholarly research. The
techniques of collecting, recording, transcribing, transliterating and editing
materials.
LLK 705 – Theoretical Linguistics – 2 units
The evolution of the scientific study of language: from traditional grammar to
contemporary linguistics. The structure and sounds of language are examined,
with special emphasis on grammatical units, structure category and functions.
LLK 710 – Applied Linguistics – 2 units
The cognitive, social and administrative aspects of media of learning and
instruction; methods of language teaching interaction in the classroom and
school, with emphasis on empirical analysis of situations found during teaching
practice.
LLK 712 – Language Comparison – 2 units
Diachronic and synchronic comparison; mass comparison and the comparative
method; presentation of phylogenetic and typological classification;
lexicostatistics; language universal.
LLK 715 - Phonological Variation in Kanuri – 2 units
This course will deal with the frequent sound variation at dialect and idiolect
levels. The various phonological rules will be critically examined and linguistically
analyzed.
LLK 720 – Modern Syntactic Methods Applied to Kanuri – 2 units
The principles of modern syntactic methods (e.g. T.G. grammar, tagnemics,
case grammar) will be introduced and applied to the levels of Kanuri syntax.
LLK 725 – The Kanuri Verbal System – 2 units
The structure of the Kanuri verb and its morphemic characteristics.
Specifically, the classes of verb bases subject and object elements, aspect
markers and derivative morphemes will be demonstrated and ordered within the
verb complex.
LLK 730 –Introduction to Lexicography, with Reference to Kanuri – 2 units
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The main theories and principles of lexicography will be presented. Existing
dictionaries and word lists of Kanuri will be critically examined, and a long term
Kanuri dictionary project discussed.
LLK 750–The Saharan Languages in the Nilo-Saharan Framework – 2 units
The common structure of the Saharan languages, especially the
morphological and syntactic features, leading to a consideration of the linguistic
features of the least coherent African language phylum – the Nilo-Saharan
language.
LLK 755 – Kanuri Language Planning – 2 units
Various principles of orthography will be discussed. The rules of a Standard
Kanuri Orthography will be examined from a linguistics and educational point of
view. The adaptation of language to modern needs will be discussed generally,
followed by the application of general principles to the creation of new
terminologies in Kanuri.
LLK 770 – Kanuri Literature and Genre Theory – 2 units
Genre theory, followed by its application to Kanuri literature, both oral and
written in Ajami and Latin scripts. Islam and Kanuri literary genres. Kanuri literary
genres in a comparative perspective, criticism of Kanuri literature.
LLK 775 – Criticism of African Literature – 2 units
A course dealing with a variety of techniques and approach to African
literature. Presentation and evaluation will be conducted by the members of the
class. (To be offered by English Department – ENG 706).
LLK 790 – Reading Skills in Arabic, French or German – 2 units
The compulsory course is designed to equip the student with reading ability in
his language of choice.
LLK 795 – Translation Skills - 2 units
Training in the technique of translating texts to be chosen from specialized
area like literature, science and technology, scriptures, the 18th and 19th
century religious poetry written in Hausa, Fulfulde, Kanuri etc.
LLK 799 – Dissertation – 10 units
A topic on Kanuri linguistics or literature, consisting of the candidate’s own
presentation and formulation, which will not have been presented for a higher
degree from other University.
Ph. D. KANURI STUDIES
COMPULSORY AND ELECTIVE COURSES
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Course No. Course Title
Units
LLK 800
Advanced Research Methods (A1)
2
LLK 805
Kanem-Borno (1450-1800) (A2)
3
LLK 810
Ethnolinguistics (A3)
2
LLK 815
Dev. In the Classification of African Languages (A4) 2
LLK 820
Dev. In the Study of African Lit. (A5)
2
LLK 830
Research Seminar I (language) (B1)
2
LLK 870
Research Seminar I (Literature)(C1)
2
LLK 872
Research Seminar II (Lit.) (C2)
2
LLK 874
Theories of Oral Literature (C3)
2
LLK 876
Genres of Kanuri Oral Literature (C4)
2
LLK 878
Field Methods in Kanuri Oral Lit. (C5)
2
LLK 880
Ethnomusicology (C6)
3
LLK 882
Modern African Literature (C7)
2
LLK 884
Comparative Lit. in the Kanuri Context (C8)
2
LLK 888
Stylistics and Kanuri Poetry (C10)
2
LLK 899
Thesis
40
Note: (A) common courses, (B) Language courses, (C) Literature courses.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
LLK 800 – Advanced Research Methods –
The four basic types of research methodology will be covered by this course:
Historical, Descriptive, Analytical, Survey and Experimental.
Under Historical methodology, the chronology–historiography dichotomy will
be examined
Descriptive survey methodology will be seen in terms of interview techniques,
case study, tape-recording, research population selection, questionnaire etc.
Analytical Survey methodology will essentially involve Statistical method of
Research.
Finally, the Experimental Methodology will involve different types of
experimental designs.
LLK 806 – Kanem-Borno – C. 1450-1800 – 3 units
The foundation of the second Sayfawa state of Borno in the fifteenth century.
Economic factors in the pre-emergence of the SAyfawa; political scene in the
central Bilad al-Sudan – struggle for the spheres of influence and territorial
control, Borno, Hausa States, Kwararafa, Air, Bagirmi, Mai Idris Alauma and the
conquest of Kanem in the late sixteenth century. The era of consolidation, the
emergence of the complex bureaucracy, rise of semi-autonomous states – the Mai
Mbauji. The decline and collapse of the Sayfawa in the eighteenth century.
(Cross-referenced with History).
LL 810 – Ethnolinguistics – 2 units
Study of the relationship between language and ethnicity, from Humboldt via
Whorf to the present. Whilst posting the uniqueness of language systems, the
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change of ethnicity, by incorporation, assimilation etc. will be studied in relation to
nationality, with reference to Schools of Thought in America, France, Germany
and Russia and examples from Africa, Europe and Asia
LLK 815 – Development in the Classification of African Languages –
An overview of the classification of African Languages from the beginnings
highlighting major miletones in the evolution of African languages
classification. The pre-Greenberg era (pre-1955) from a socio-cultural
viewpoint e.g. Mcinhof’s attempt), the Greenberg era (1955-70s onwards),
from lexicostatistics analysis, and the post-Greenberg era (late 1970s
onwards), will be seen including recent attempts to restructure Niger-Congo
and Nilo-Saharan.
LLK 820 – Development in the Study of Africa Literatures –
This course is designed to enable the student to critically asses the recent
developments of literature (written and oral) in Africa: critical review of postindependence literature, with special reference to Nigeria; change of themes and
style; evaluation of recent literary publications in African and European languages;
exercises in literary criticism.
LLK 825 – Research Seminar I (Language) –
Defining the framework of the dissertation. Discussion of relevant literature in
the field of research theoretical approaches, methodology. Discussion of field
methods, data collection and handling. Initiation of pilot research projects related
to the topic of dissertation. Preparation and discussion of seminar papers.
Compilation of proposed outline of dissertation.
LLK 830 – Research Seminar II (Language)
Continuation of LLK 825. discussion of new developments in historical and
descriptive linguistics. Critical evaluation of recent publications relating to the field
of research. Discussion of results and problems of pilot research projects.
Preparation, presentation and discussion of term papers. (Critical review of
methodology, problems connected with field work, critical review of new
publications, etc.). Progress and problems of dissertation.
LLK 835 – Advanced Kanuri Phonology –
The following topics will be dealt with in this course: existence or nonexistence of prenasalised consonants (nd, ng, mb); status of archi–phonemes;
morphophonemic processes; consonant alternation (m, b, b; g/k etc);
phonemic/phonetic vowel inventory; the central vowel, merging of sounds.
LLK 840 - Aspects of Kanuri Syntax –
Discussion of specific problems of Kanuri syntax, syntactic behaviour with
regard to focus; verb aspects versus modes and tenses; verbl derivations; subject
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and agent marking syntax of the verb n’sya, think; hierarchies in Kanuri syntax,
relative clause constructions.
LLK 845 – Grammatical Categories of Kanuri –
Definition of major grammatical categories in contrast with other languages
(e.g. Hausa, Fulfulde, English). Conceptionalization of grammatical categories.
Critical review of existing terms. Discussion of methods and approaches for the
creation of adequate terminologies of Kanuri grammar.
LLK 850 – Semantic Theories Applied to Kanuri –
Introduction to the basic concepts of semantics and their application to
Kanuri: definition of concepts of semantics, relations between form and meaning
semantic field and sense relations, semantic representation; semantics and
syntax; application of semantics to Kanuri.
LLK 855 – Comparative Linguistics of Saharan/Nilo-Saharan –
Early attempts of classification of languages which are today considered as
Nilo-Saharan; linguistic evidence for establishing as Nilo-Saharan phylum:
linguistic criteria, methods used, problems of classification, evaluation of available
data. Review of classification. Saharan language; their relationship to other
languages/language groups within Nilo-Saharan.
LLK 857 – Kanuri Dialectology It is the aim of this course to introduce to the basic principles of dialectology
and to apply these to the Kanuri language. Special topics are: basic definition of
language, dialect, accent and idiolect; boundaries of speech forms; geographical,
sociolinguistic and lexical diffusion; dialectal, accental and ideolectal variation in
Kanuri, the status of Kanembu; major linguistic factors in Kanuri dialectology;
defining Kanuri dialects and assents; language change and dialects with reference
to Kanuri.
LLK 859 – Linguistic in Kanuri (optional)Due to constant contact with neighbours (Hausa, Fulfulde, Mandara, etc),
Arabic (Shuwa), colonial languages (English, French), their languages have
influenced the Kanuri lexicon. It will be examined: the degree of borrowing from
the respective languages, semantic categories of borrowed forms,
chronologicalization, lexicalization and grammacalization or phonological
adaptation in Kanuri. In a contrastive analysis the Kanuri (Kanembu) speech
forms of Nigeria and Niger/Chad will be reviewed, especially with regard to nation
building and language modernization.
LLK 861 – Problems of Language Planning in Nigeria (Optional) –
Against a background survey of languages of/in Nigeria, various methods of
LP will be applied in the minimalist (reduction of language), maximalist (functional
use of all speech forms) and medianist (judicious choice from either side).
Language is to be seen and planned, both as a form of cultural wealth and as a
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mean of communication. LP forces and agencies, as well as methods of language
management will be considered.
LLK 863 – Lexicology and Kanuri Lexicography (optional) –
This course is designed to introduce the student to theories of lexicology and
principles of lexicography with the practical aim to prepare Kanuri dictionaries and
special vocabularies; the meaning and morphology of the word and the structure
of the lexicon; the concepts of a dictionary; problems of defining meanings and
word categories, bilingual and monolingual dictionaries; preparation of a
dictionary; critical review of existing Kanuri dictionaries and vocabularies; field
work in Kanuri lexicography.
LLK 870 – Research Seminar I (Literature) –
Defining the framework of the dissertation. Discussion of relevant literature
on the field of research: theoretical approaches, methodology, publications
related to the candidate’s field of research. Discussion of field methods, data
collection and handling. Initiation of pilot research project related to the topic of
dissertation. Preparation and discussion of seminar papers. Compilation of
proposed outline of dissertation.
LLK 872 – Research Seminar II (Literature) –
Continuation of LLK 870. Discussion of new developments in literary criticism
and comparative literature. Critical evaluation of recent publications related to the
field research projects. Preparation, presentation and discussion of seminar
papers (critical review of methodology, problems connected with field work,
critical review of new publication). Progress and problems of dissertation.
LLK 874 – Theories of Oral Literature –
Orality and literary genres of oral literature. Oral tradition and oral literature.
Approaches to the study of oral literature. Formulaic theory and its impact on the
study of oral literature. Formula, theme mnemomic devices and oral composition.
Recent trends in oral literature research.
LLK 876 – Genres of Kanuri Oral Literature –
Genre theory and principles of generic classification. Genres and African oral
tradition. Kanuri oral literature and its generic principles. The relationship between
performance principles and generic categories in Kanuri oral literature. Models of
Kanuri genre theory.
LLK 878 – Field Methods in Kanuri Oral Literature –
Techniques of research designs. Issues in oral tradition research:
questionnaire and other research tools, problems of translation. Problems of
recording and transcription. The relationship between Kanuri tradition and field
research. Ethics of research: renumeration of informants, acknowledgement of
informants real contribution and redefining their rle as teachers.
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LLK 880 – Kanuri Writing in Ajami –
General introduction to the concept of ajami and its world-wide influence. A
brief survey of the conventions of Kanuri ajami tradition. The distinction between
tarjumo-based and independent ajami writings. A study of three classical and two
modern ajami texts.
LLK 882 – Modern African Literature –
This course is designed to familiarize the student with various aspects of
written African literatures; history of African Literature in African and European
languages; study of literary genres; study of contents and form; stylistics of
orality in written literature; interrelation between society and literature; reception
of literature and analysis of readership.
LLK 884 – Comparative Literature in the Kanuri Context –
Principles of comparative literature in relation to Kanuri: Thematology,
influence studies, periodization, reception, genre theory, the concept of literary
movement in the context of Kanuri literature. Kanuri – Arabic literary relations:
diction, prosody and other factors. The influence of Islam on Kanuri literature.
LLK
880 - Ethnomusicology
This course will introduce basic notions of musicology with reference to oral
literature and performance. Special attention will be given to: musical
instruments, (taxonomy, materials, methods of production); vocal style (text,
intonation, rhythm); instrumental style (tonal system, beat, rhythm,
entertainment, teaching, social control, ritual).
LLK 888 – Stylistics and Kanuri Poetry –
A survey of Kanuri poetic tradition from the classical period, beginning with
Mai Umme Jilmi’s era to the contemporary era taking into account both written
and oral modes. Special attention is to be given to stylistic variations between oral
and written poems, the stylistic consideration governing poetry within certain
thematic categories and the impact of sociological factors on style. The course will
include with a detailed study of a modern poet.
LLK 899 – Thesis – 30 units
As thesis, written in English, of not less than 50,000 words, embodying the
candidate’s on research into Kanuri language, linguistics, literature or culture,
such research not to have been presented elsewhere wholly or partly, to have
been carried out under supervision, and to constitute an original contribution to
knowledge.
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