EMCL

Study Guide

European Master in
Clinical Linguistics

Study Guide
University of
Groningen

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EMCL Study Guide

Contents
General introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Studying at the Faculty of Arts ........................................................................................................................... 4
Registration ............................................................................................................................................................ 4
Student number ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Student card ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
Computer account, internet and e-mail ..................................................................................................... 4
University Library ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Main University Library (Universiteitsbibliotheek, UB) ............................................................... 5
Library of the Faculty of Arts ..................................................................................................................... 5
EMCL course information ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
Character of the courses ................................................................................................................................... 6
Course schedule ................................................................................................................................................... 6
Dutch Grading system ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Enrolment for courses and exams ................................................................................................................ 7
EMCL courses taught in Groningen ............................................................................................................. 8
Student facilities .................................................................................................................................................... 14
Housing ................................................................................................................................................................. 14
Registration with City Hall ........................................................................................................................... 14
Bank account ...................................................................................................................................................... 14
Health care .......................................................................................................................................................... 14
Health insurance .......................................................................................................................................... 14
Student Health care .................................................................................................................................... 14
Sports and Cultural Activities ..................................................................................................................... 14
Useful addresses .................................................................................................................................................... 15
Useful web addresses .......................................................................................................................................... 18

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EMCL Study Guide

General introduction

In this course guide you will find information about the European Master in Clinical
Linguistics program offered by the University of Groningen during your first and/or third
term (October-February). This guide will provide you with specific course information as
well as information necessary to study at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Groningen.
For more detailed information you can download the Handbook for International Students
2012-2013 from the Faculty of Arts website
(www.rug.nl/let/informatievoor/internationalstudents).

More general information for international students about studying at our university or
living in the North of the Netherlands can be found at www.rug.nl/internationalstudents.
There is also a link available to create your own personalized University of Groningen
Magazine about the University of Groningen, its programs, the City of Groningen and
student life (www.rugmagazine.nl).

When you are admitted to the program, you will automatically receive the brochure
Welcome to the University of Groningen 2012-2013 and the Health Guide for International
Students.

We hope this study guide will help you as a (prospective) EMCL student to prepare yourself
for studying at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Groningen.


We wish you an enjoyable and unforgettable stay in Groningen.


Local coordinators of the EMCL Groningen
Roel Jonkers
Katrien Colman

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Studying at the Faculty of Arts

Registration
All students have to be registered as guest students at the University of Groningen. You will
not be registered as a regular student as you were already registered as regular student at
the consortium. You will be contacted by the Admission Office of the Faculty of Arts to
register at our university. If you have problems with your university registration, please
contact the Admissions Office (see for more information Useful addresses at the end of this
study guide). After you have arrived in Groningen, the first thing you need to do is to check
in at the student desk of the International Office and Admissions Office of the Faculty of
Arts.

Student number

Your student number is used as your user name to log into many university and
library services. You also need a password. An initial password is provided to you by the
faculty at registration (or upon arrival). After the first time you log in, you will be asked to
change the password.

Student card

After registration at the University of Groningen all (international) students receive their
student card (by post or during the Welcoming meeting of the EMCL). On the student card
you can find your picture, name, student number and registration dates. You need your
student card for the libraries and registration for student facilities such as the Aclo sports
centre.

Computer account, internet and e-mail

While studying at the University of Groningen, you will have a university computer account
and an e-mail address. You can use the computer rooms in the Harmonie Building and the
main University Library without making reservations. The University of Groningen also
offers its students the possibility of wireless access to the internet inside the buildings of
the university. For more information about wireless access to the University network,
please check the website of the university Donald Smits Center for Information Technology
(www.rug.nl/cit) or go the local Service Desk on the first floor of the Harmonie Building
(room H12.101).

As a guest student you will also have access to our electronic learning environment
NESTOR (Blackboard). You enter Nestor via http://nestor.rug.nl and need to log in with
your student number and password. In NESTOR you will find more background
information on every course you are registered for, reading lists, and announcements
about schedule changes. Furthermore, some of the teachers will ask you to hand in
assignments and papers via NESTOR and also use it to comment on your work. During the
first week in Groningen you will get a short introduction into working with NESTOR. Be
aware of the fact that announcements by NESTOR are using your official university email. It
is therefore useful to regularly check your university email-account for important
messages.

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University Library
Main University Library (Universiteitsbibliotheek, UB)
The University of Groningen Library includes the main University Library and separate
faculty libraries. The main University Library is situated opposite the Academy Building.
You can search for books, documents and (online) journal articles using the Library Portal
www.rug.nl/library. In order to borrow books, you need your student card. You can order
books online via the University catalogue. Use the number on your student card under the
barcode and the first three letters of your family name to log in. The library sends an e-mail
to your student e-mail account to remind you to bring back your books or to renew the
loan.
Library of the Faculty of Arts
In addition to the University Library, each faculty has its own library. The library of the
Faculty of Arts is situated on the first floor in the old part of the Harmonie Building.
The Library Faculty of Arts contains a number of seats reserved for the purpose of studying
and also has some computers available. The library owns a growing collection films on dvd
for the benefit of the Faculty. These films can exclusively be consulted by staff en students
of the Faculty of Arts. If you would like to see a movie, you may ask at the lending desk of
the Library of Arts.

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EMCL course information

Introduction
During the first and/or third semester you can follow courses at Faculty of Arts of the
University of Groningen. Three courses are obligatory per term. In the course description
you can see which courses are offered. Next to these courses we aim to organize a seminar
that is voluntary. Furthermore students are allowed to follow other courses (e.g. Research
Master in Language and Cognition) as long as they meet the entry requirements of these
courses and there is space available. Unfortunately the schedule of most of these courses
does not fit with the EMCL schedule. For more information on the courses in Groningen,
please contact the local coordinators: Dr. Roel Jonkers (r.jonkers@rug.nl) or dr. Katrien
Colman (k.s.f.colman@rug.nl).

Character of the courses

In the Netherlands MA-courses in general focus on learning to acquire skills to critically

read recent literature on the topic of the course, to come up with new research questions,
to develop research materials, and to report on this orally or written. This means that
teaching is very interactive. Teachers will not just illustrate the materials that were read,
but aim at a lot of interaction with and between the students. This means that we do not
use a lot of textbooks for these courses, but discuss very recent literature in the field of
neurolinguistics, some not even published.

This also means that teachers are used to students asking questions. If you would like to
discuss things with the teachers personally, you can also ask them questions after classes,
or make an appointment with them. The style of contact between teachers and students is
rather informal.

Course schedule

In September, you will receive the course schedule. Classes often take place in the
Harmonie Building, but also at other locations such as the Academy Building (the central
university building). We will add more information about how to find the rooms in
September. Courses last in general for 2 hours. They start at the full hour (this is new, in
earlier years we still had the so-called Academic Quarter). After 45 minutes of class, there
is in general a short break. Courses end around 15 minutes before the full hour.

Dutch Grading system

The Dutch grading system uses a 10-point scale. A 10 is excellent, all scores below 6 are a
fail. For your transcript we will convert the grades to ECTS-credits using the following
conversion:

10/9 = A;
8= B
7 =C
6 =D
5 or lower is Fail

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Please be aware that these grades are different from the American system where you
almost never will get lower than a B. The mean for a course group in the Dutch system lies
between 7 (C) and 8 (B). A 10 for a paper or thesis is almost never given.

After handing in a paper, a teacher must provide you with his or her comments and a grade
within 10 working days.
At the end of the term students will get a transcript of records from the University of
Groningen.

Enrolment for courses and exams

All students need to register for courses and exams. However, for the courses this should
be done before the 1st of September, which is impossible for you. Therefore the local
coordinator will do this for you. We mention this however, as now and then you will get e-
mails asking you to register for courses or exams. You can just ignore these mails, or if you
are in doubt, ask one of the coordinators what to do. Furthermore, also if you want to
follow extra courses you should mention this to the coordinators as they need to register
you for these courses as well.

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EMCL courses taught in Groningen

Course name
Objectives

Overview

Term
Contact hours per week
Teaching method
Assessment
Course type
ECTS
Lecturer(s)

Aphasiology in a Cross-Linguistic Perspective

Acquire skills in doing a critical literature review, acquire
knowledge in
modern research techniques and currently debated research
issues in the field of aphasiology
This advanced module focuses on the value of cross-linguistic
research in aphasiology. The knowledge of the different
structures from various languages enables us to understand more
of the underlying linguistic disorders. Which hypotheses can be
made for languages with different structures? Examples will be
given from cross-linguistic analysis of spontaneous speech and
experimental data.
During this course, the students will be guided when developing
an experiment in their native language, based on the literature. At
the end of the course, the test materials should be ready and the
students should acquire data from healthy subject to test the
usability of their tests. The experiment can later be used for the
final thesis.
1st term; 1st or 2nd year; offered in 2012
4
seminar
essay, presentation
master
10
prof. dr. Y.R.M. Bastiaanse

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Course name
Objectives

Overview

Term
Contact hours per week
Teaching method
Assessment
Course type
ECTS
Lecturer(s)

Clinical Aphasiology
Acquire skills in doing a critical review of existing assessment
and treatment materials and methods;
Acquire knowledge of setting up a study to the efficacy of aphasia
therapy;
Acquire knowledge of developing aphasia tests and treatment
materials
This advanced module focuses on the clinical aspects of
aphasiology: the development of assessment and treatment
materials for clinical practice. Emphasis will be on translating
and adapting existing materials to the students native language;
special attention is given to adaptation, reliability and validation
problems.
During this course, the students will visit a rehabilitation center,
to get acquainted with the clinical population. They will discuss
assessment and treatment materials with local speech therapists
who treat aphasic patients on a daily basis.
At the end of the course, the materials should be ready and the
students should write an essay that can resemble the manual
belonging to their materials.
The materials can later be used for the final thesis.
1st term; 1st or 2nd year; offered in 2012
4
seminar
essay (manual), oral presentations
master
10
prof. dr. Y.R.M. Bastiaanse

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Course name
Objectives

Overview

Term
Contact hours per week
Teaching method
Assessment
Course type
ECTS
Lecturer(s)

Developmental dyslexia
Acquire skills in doing a critical review of the literature on
dyslexia
Acquire knowledge in experimental techniques and currently
debated research issues in the field of dyslexia
The central issue of this module is to better understand
developmental dyslexia as a heterogeneous condition, involving
the dynamic interaction of multiple risk and protective factors,
which together determine the clinical outcome. The focus is on
the neuro-cognitive functions that underlie normal and defective
reading and spelling processes, and how these functions can be
assessed (clinical tests as well as neurophysiological measures),
and
possiblyremediated.
The students will get acquainted with the main theoretical views
on developmental dyslexia, and get the opportunity to see how
these are implemented in clinical practice. During this course, the
students will be guided to set up a clinical or laboratory
experiment, and if time permits to do some piloting. At the end of
the course, the students write an essay that forms the basis for
such an experiment, which can later be used for the final thesis.
1st term; 1st or 2nd year; offered in 2013
4
seminars
essay, oral presentations
master
10
prof. dr. B.A.M. Maassen

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Course name
Objectives

Overview

Term
Contact hours per week
Teaching method
Assessment

Course type
ECTS
Lecturer(s)

Developmental Language Disorders

Acquire skills in doing a critical review of the literature on
developmental language disorders related to second language
learning.
Acquire knowledge in analysing techniques and currently
debated issues in the field of developmental language disorders
and learning how to use the Computerized Language ANalysis
(CLAN).
During one part of this module, the focus will be on research
literature concerning developmental language disorders related
to second language acquisition. Similarities and differences
between the (second) language learning of typical children and
children having language problems will be looked at by means of
theoretical and applied literature on the topic.
In the second part of the course, students will learn to work with
and make analyses of spontaneous speech data coming from the
Child Language Data Exchange System CHILDES. Preferably the
data come from children learning more than one language and
having language problems and, if possible, from the same
linguistic background as the student. If those conditions cannot
be met, analyses of language from monolingual children (both
typical and having a language problem) are preferred.
Knowledge of working with CLAN and CHILDES can be used for
the final thesis.
1st term 1st or 2nd year; offered in 2012
4
seminar
Each student has to give one presentation concerning literature
of the first part of the module.
The second part will be assessed by 4 essays or assignments (of
about five pages A4 each) in which a discussion of the literature,
the findings of the study and a discussion of the implications of
the results will be addressed. Data from CHILDES will be used for
this
master
10
dr. G.W. Bol

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Course name
Objectives
Overview

Term
Contact hours per week
Teaching method
Assessment
Course type
ECTS
Lecturer(s)

Language and Culture

Acquire basic knowledge of the Dutch language and Culture
Within this course students will learn to use and understand the
Dutch language in a very practical context. Meanwhile students
will also learn more about the Dutch Culture. This means that the
language will not only be learned in classes, but also for example
during trips to the supermarket or the market place, to
Amsterdam and one of the Dutch isles.
1st term 1st or 2nd year; offered in 2012 (only for new students)
variable (more hours in the first part of the term)
seminars
oral examination
master
5
drs. A. van Empel

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Course name
Objectives

Overview

Term
Contact hours per week
Teaching method
Assessment
Course type
ECTS
Lecturer(s)

Language Processing and Neuro Imaging

Acquire skills in doing a critical review of the literature on neuro
imaging studies
Acquire knowledge of setting up a neuro imaging study

The central question of this module is what can neuro-imaging
tell us about how language is represented in the brain. First, an
introduction will be given to the modern techniques of neuro-
imaging: ERP, PET scanning, and functional MRI scanning. Then
older and more recent findings will be discussed and the merits
and disadvantages of these techniques will be discussed.
The students will visit the Neuro Imaging Center (NIC). By the
end of the course, the students need to set up an experiment for
testing language processing in their native language. This
experiment can be conducted in the final term to meet the
requirements for the Master thesis
1st term 2nd year; offered in 2012 (only for second year students)
4
lectures
essay, oral presentations
master
10
dr. L.A. Stowe

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Student facilities
Housing
Finding a temporal room for your stay in Groningen on your own is difficult, since there is a
scarcity of student rooms in the city of Groningen. We definitely advise you against
searching for a room upon your arrival. We recommend you to contact the Housing Office
that is in cooperation with the University of Groningen to rent rooms to foreign guests. The
Housing office offers furnished accommodation in Groningen. In order to get an offer for a
room you need to apply for accommodation online (see registration form on the website of
the Housing office: www.housingoffice.nl). Please, first read the instructions very carefully
so that you will not be startled by the correspondence following your registration.

Registration with City Hall

Anyone staying in the Netherlands for four months or longer must register with the
Municipal Personal Records Database (Gemeentelijke Basis Administratie or GBA) at City
Hall. It is advisable that you register as soon as possible upon your arrival. More
information can be found here:
www.rug.nl/prospectiveStudents/information/registrationTownHall

Bank account
You will need a current bank account to manage your day-to-day finances. The university has an
agreement with the Rabobank (located in the city centre of Groningen), which will make it easier
to open an account. More information can be found here:
www.rug.nl/prospectiveStudents/information/bankAffairs

Health care

You received or will receive upon your arrival the Health Guide. In this guide you can find
up-to-date and very useful information about health issues. In cases of emergency you need
to call the general emergency number 112.
Health insurance
All international students in the Netherlands must have health insurance. You can find
more information on the type of Health insurance you need following this link:
www.rug.nl/prospectiveStudents/information/healthInsurance.
For specific questions about your health insurance you can contact the International
Service desk.
Student Health care
As a student you can get your basic medical care from general practioners at Zernike. You
can subscribe and make an appointment using this website www.hzzernike.nl.

Sports and Cultural Activities

As an international student you can sport at the Aclo Center at Zernike at reasonable prices. The
Sports Centre is known as a place where you can join a wide variety of sports in a fun setting.
Check the Aclo website to find out more about the sports that are offered: www.aclosport.nl.

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The Usva is the Cultural Student Centre of Groningen. The Usva offers various cultural courses
(dance, dance, yoga, music and singing classes etc). The majority of the courses is accessible for
international students. Check the website for more information: www.usva.nl.
The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is an international student association that organizes social
and cultural events that brings international students of all faculties together. They also have a
mentor system that helps international students to handle all kind of practical things. You need to
sign up for this mentorship. You can also follow ESN on Facebook and Twitter to be regularly
updated. Please check the ESN website for more information: http://esn-groningen.nl.

Useful addresses

Central Address of the Faculty of Arts
Faculty of Arts, Harmonie Building
Visiting address:
Oude Kijk in t Jatstraat 26
9712 EK Groningen
The Netherlands
Postal address:
University of Groningen
Faculty of Arts
PO Box 716
9700 AS Groningen
The Netherlands
( +31 (0)50 363 5900 (faculty office)
( +31 (0)50 363 5901 (porters desk)
E-mail: info.let@rug.nl
Faculty website: www.rug.nl/let
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 8.00 am 10.00 pm and Friday 8.00 am 6.00 pm

Local Coordinators
Dr. Roel Jonkers




Dr. Katrien Colman
( +31 (0)50 363 6129



( +31 (0)50 363 8135
E-mail: r.jonkers@rug.nl


E-mail: k.s.f.colman@rug.nl
Harmonie Building, room 1312.0419

Harmonie Building, room 1312. 0418

The International Office and Admissions Office of the Faculty of Arts
The information desk of the International Office and Admissions Office of the
Faculty of Arts is located on the first floor of the Harmonie Building, in the corridor to the
right of the large red students desk.
( +31 (0)50 363 5968 (MA admissions, Anja de Vries and Margo Slebus)
E-mail: international.office.let@rug.nl or admissions.office.let@rug.nl
Website: www.rug.nl/let/internationaloffice
Office hours: Monday to Thursday, from 1 4 pm.

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Mind! Ms Anja de Vries is also the contact person for the housing office for the Faculty of
Arts. So please choose A.J. de Vries as your contact person of the Faculty of Arts when you
fill in the Housing office form. For the contact information of the Housing office, see below.

International Service desk (ISD)
The ISD is the international office of the University and works closely together with the
Admission Office of the Faculty of Arts. The ISD is responsible for the visa and residence
permit applications of all prospective and current international students. Moreover, the ISD
provides practical information about insurances, medical care, housing, university facilities,
or any other aspect of daily life. If you have questions, always first contact our EMCL
contact person at the Admission Office of the Faculty of Arts. If necessary they will refer
you to the ISD.
Academy Building (first floor)
Broerstraat 5
P.O. Box 72
9700 AB Groningen
The Netherlands
( +31(0)50 363 8181
E-mail: isd@rug.nl
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 12 4 pm.

Student Service Centre (SSC)
The SSC is the student counseling expertise center of the University of Groningen. The SSC
has student counselors, psychologists and trainers who work together to provide an
integrated package of student support with the aim of helping students with their studies.
Uurwerkersgang 10
9712 EJ Groningen
( +31(0)50 363 8066
Website: www.rug.nl/ssc

Office for Student Affairs (Bureau Studentzaken)
This is the student administration office for the Faculty of Arts. They process your study
results, organize your degree certificates and provide information about graduation and
enrolment. Please, always first contact one of the coordinators when you have questions
concerning your enrolment, results or degree certificate. The Office for Student Affairs
Student Desk is located in the hall of the first floor of the Harmonie Building.
( +31 (0)50 363 5781 (from 8.30 am 5 pm.)
Website: www.rug.nl/let/voorzieningen/bureaustudentzaken
Opening hours: Monday Friday 12 pm 4 pm.

University Library
Broerstraat 4
( Information desk: +31 (0)50 363 5020
Website: www.rug.nl/library

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Opening hours: Mondays Fridays: 8.30 am 10 pm, Saturdays and Sundays: 10 am 5
pm. During vacations, holidays and exam time opening hours may change. Check the
website for actual opening hours.

Library of the Faculty of Arts
( +31 (0)50 363 5940
E-mail: letteren-bibliotheek@rug.nl
Website:
Opening hours: Mondays Thursdays: 9 am 9.30 pm, Friday 9 am 5 pm
Different opening hours may apply during vacations; check the website for actual
opening hours.

Housing office
Friesestraatweg 18
9718 NH Groningen
( +31 (0)50 365 7126
e-mail: info@housingoffice.nl
Website: www.housingoffice.nl

ACLO Sports Centre
Blauwborgje 16 (Zernike Complex)
Groningen
( +31 (0) 50 363 46 41
e-mail: info@aclosport.nl
Website: www.aclosport.nl

Cultural student centre Usva
Munnekeholm 10
9711 JA Groningen
( +31 (0) 50 363 4670
Website: usva@rug.nl

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Useful web addresses

General information
www.rug.nl/internationalstudents

University of Groningen magazine
Here you can download your personalized information magazine about the University of
Groningen, its programs, the City of Groningen and student life.
www.rugmagazine.nl

EMCL information
www.emcl-mundus.com

VISA and residence permits
For more information about residence permits, MVV or Visa you can consult the website of
the Nuffic. They have detailed information on visa requirements and procedures for most
countries.
www.nuffic.nl
Another useful information source is the Dutch Immigration Service. Their website can also
inform you on visa procedures.
www.ind.nl

Student life
www.groningenlife.nl
http://esn-groningen.nl/

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