Programme
- The programme of Dutch Studies (BA):
- Language acquisition
- The major part of the study is devoted to language acquisition. You will focus on speaking, writing and understanding Dutch. After the first semester, you will be able to follow lectures in Dutch. You will also be capable of conducting an elementary discussion, reading and delivering a paper, following the news on the radio or television and writing an article on a particular topic. At the end of the programme, your level of reading and listening skills will equal that of a native speakers. You will, for example, be able to take part in a lively and complex discussion, debate or meeting; you will be able to present an argument or make a presentation on an academic topic. Your writing skills will be sufficient to allow you to compose a structured academic text in the form of an essay and eventually a bachelor thesis.
- Linguistics
- During the lectures about linguistics you will learn to analyse the Dutch sound system, the structure of words and sentences. This will stand you in good stead in learning Dutch. You will also learn about the position of Dutch within the family of Germanic languages and how Dutch has evolved in the course of the centuries. In addition, several lectures will focus on the theory of second language acquisition.
- Literature
- The literature lectures will focus on Dutch literature from the Middle Ages to the present day. You will become familiar with a representative number of primary texts – including all the highlights of Dutch literature – placing them in their literary-historical context.
- History
- During the history lectures a summary will be given of the history of the Netherlands from prehistoric times onwards. Special attention will be paid to the seventeenth century (The Dutch Golden Age), the development of the Netherlands in the nineteenth century, the Second World War and the development of the multicultural society after 1965.
- Art history
- The Netherlands has produced many eminent artists. Paintings by Rembrandt and Van Gogh can be found in museums throughout the world. But also modern Dutch designs of the Senseo coffee-maker and the Bugaboo pushchairs are conquering the world. During the lectures on art history you will become familiar with a number of characteristics typical of Dutch art in historical and theoretical context.
- Culture and society
- The lectures on culture and society, will focus on modern and historical aspects of the Netherlands and the Dutch people. You will study the geographic, economic and political development of the Netherlands. Visiting churches and other monuments which demonstrate the social, institutional, religious and artistic aspects of the Netherlands is part of the programme. There is also the opportunity for discussion about daily life in present-day society, such as social conventions, the position of the monarchy and the multicultural society.
