The Nihal European University in Sudan

In the framework of the general conception of the Nihal European University in Sudan as a European university the Section for Contemporary European Languages of the Department of Linguistics will function as a mediator by attempting to transmit the most important European languages, literatures and cultures to students who generally are not of European origin, thus providing them with an image of Europe that should be as free of prejudice and stereotype as is possible.

In addition to their main elements in language and literary studies all of the degree programmes offered in this section should contain to the greatest possible extent elements of area studies, putting a particular emphasis on acquainting students with the cultures and practices common in the countries being studied. This also involves pointing out the common Western traditions of the European countries.

The Section for Contemporary European Languages should include the following languages at first:

• German
• English
• French
• Spanish

At a later stage Italian can be added to this list as well.

In principle the structure of the concentrations in the various languages will be similar.

The bachelor’s concentrations in the Section for Contemporary European Languages transmit basic disciplinary knowledge of their respective languages, a solid training in a modern European lingua franca, cultural-scientific and historical background and analytical skills.

As students progress in the concentrations individual courses should be held in the relevant target language.

The Major Concentration

In addition to English and another relevant language students should by the Master’s-level studies have acquired sufficient knowledge of Latin corresponding to the level of the German Kleines Latinum examination.

The concentration will consist of the following required courses:

• Introduction to the relevant linguistics
• Phonetics and phonology
• Morphology and syntax
• Semantics
• Lexicology
• Sociolinguistics
• Ethnolinguistics
• Basic knowledge of older language variants (such as Middle High German for instance)
• Principles of the ethnic dialects
• Practicums
• Field research
• History of the country

The linguistic training in the relevant language will take place in the following types of courses:

• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Conversation
• Practical principles
• Area studies

The concentrations within the Section for Contemporary European Languages can be combined with minor concentrations from the Economics-Sociology Faculty, the Department of Media Studies and Communication Design or another concentration within the Section for Contemporary European Languages.

The Minor Concentration

As a minor concentration the concentrations within the Section for Contemporary European Languages can be combined with any of the other concentrations offered at the Nihal European University in Sudan.

In addition to the conventional language and literature research fields the Section for Contemporary European Languages should as a discipline be oriented toward the respective cultural relations between Europe and the Sudan on the one hand and the Arab world and Africa on the other. This includes the mutual influence of linguistic corpora, the description and representation of the other and the foreign, including foreign culture as generally found in literature.

On the basis of data from similar departments and degree programmes we can assume that teaching and research in this section (excluding Italian) will require approximately 24 lecturers at various levels, 16 teaching assistants and approximately 30 adjuncts. The requirements for space ought to be approximately 400 m², while equipment should also be provided for establishing one or two language laboratories.