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COLLEGE OF
SAINT MARY
ENG 320 & 520
Course
Syllabus
Spring 2007
Class Meetings: Tuesdays,
6:00-8:40 pm. ADMIN 213
Instructor: Jennifer Gowin-Hussey
Office Hours: By appointment
Office Phone: 402-715-6153
Home Phone: 402-670-8827
E-Mail:
jlhussey@cox.net
Class Materials:
There is one required text: Finegan, Edward. 2003. Language: Its
Structure and Use. 4th ed. (New York, Heinle).
Course
Objectives: A study of the structure of the English language which
includes units of lexicography, semantics, and dialects. This course
does not fulfill Core curriculum requirement.
Prerequisites:
ENG 101/Lecture
Student Learning
Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students should
have:
-
developed an awareness of
the complexity of language for the sharing and construction of
meaning.
-
identified trends and
current philosophies in language and linguistics
-
made a thoughtful inquiry
into human language structures
-
investigated various
grammars and the implications they have for the study and
understanding of English
-
identified the
relationship of English to other languages
-
developed an awareness of
the history of language and especially the English language
-
investigated the
relationship of language to thought
-
developed a philosophy of
language and its instruction
-
developed an awareness of
some of the myths that surround languages and language learning
Attendance
Policy:
Attendance and class participation are expected. If, for some
reason, you are unable to attend a class session, please call or
email the instructor within 24 hours of the absence. Each
unexcused absence will result in a 5% discounting to your grade.
Student
Evaluation and Grading:
The
grading scale is listed below.
A = (93
-100%)
B =
(86-92%)
C =
(78-85%)
D =
(60-77%)
F =
(0-59%)
Two
Examinations: 30%
Essay
type
Journals:
20% - Due always at the beginning of the class
Article
Reviews: 20%
Observational
Project: 20%
-
Each student will be
required to become an observer of communication acts and to create a
5-7 page paper and digital presentation (to be included in your
teaching portfolio). Possibilities for this project will become
clearer as the class proceeds as this project is ongoing throughout
the semester.
-
4-6 pp. Typed and
double-spaced. 12-pt. font
-
digital presentation of
observations and reflections
Participation
and In-class Activities: 10%
Professional
conduct is expected. Discussion and small group activities will be
integral components to class success. The instructor's observations of
each member's contributions shall be the basis for this grade. In-class
work cannot be made up; assignments are due at the beginning of each
class. All assignments must be completed for a passing grade. Late
work will be discounted one full grade and will NOT be accepted after
one week. If you are having trouble meeting the due dates, discuss
this with the instructor before the project is due.
Cheating is
expressly forbidden. A student caught cheating will be given a zero for
the work and the student’s advisor and the Academic Dean will be
notified. The Instructor, the Program Director, and the Academic Dean
will also deal with any other forms of academic dishonesty.
The student may
have the opportunity to evaluate the instructor and the course at the
end of the term through the use of a confidential rating form. However,
during the semester, students are encouraged to communicate directly
with the instructor concerning any aspect of the course.
Special
Accommodations
If you have a
certifiable learning or physical disability and require special
accommodations, please call and make an appointment with Julie Taylor
Costello in the Achievement Center ADA office at 399-2366.
Considerable lead-time is required for accommodations, so it is
important that your request is received in the Achievement Center ADA
office as early in the semester as possible. Please note: your
request will be handled confidentially.
Schedule (Subject to Change)
.
Week 1: 1/16
Course Introduction: What is linguistics?
Introductions:
to
each other
to the
syllabus
to the text
to the class
structure
What is
Linguistics? Peruse the first chapter of Finnegan.
Lecture.
Assignment for Week 2: Read Chapter 2 of Finnegan text;
Journal
response to text questions 1-10 through 1-13
Week 2: 1/23
Words and their Parts
Lecture: Chapter 2 of
Language: Its Structure and Use
Developmental sequence and
morphological changes
Application activities
Language myth: "Children Can’t
Speak or Write Properly
Anymore"
Discussion
Assignment for Week 3: Read
Chapter 3 of Finnegan.
Week 3: 1/30 The
Sounds of Languages
Lecture: Chapter 3 of
Language: Its Structure and Use
Relationship of sounds to
spelling
Application activities
Language myth: "English
spelling is Kattastroffik"
Discussion
Check progress on reviews and
obversational project
Assignment for Week 4: Read
Chapter 4 of Finnegan;
Journal response to 4-17.
Week 4: 2/6
Phonology: the Sound Systems of Languages
Lecture: Chapter 4 of
Language: Its Structure and Use
Phonological and phonemic
awareness–implications for teachers.
Application Activities
Language myth: Some languages
are just ugly.
Discussion
Assignment for Week 5: Read
Chapter 5 of Finnegan.
Week 5: 2/13
Syntax: The Structure of Phrases
Lecture: Chapter 5 of
Language: Its Structure and Use
Noam Chomsky and
transformational grammar
Application Activities
Language myth: "Some Languages
Have no Grammar"
Discussion
Assignment for Week 6: Read
Chapter 6 of Finnegan;
Journal response to 6-13.
Week 6: 2/20
Semantics: The Structure of Meaning
First article review due–
Share findings.
Lecture: Chapter 6 of
Language: Its Structure and Use
Metaphors and metaphorical
language
Application Activities
Language Myth: "The Meanings
of Words Should not Be Allowed to
Change."
Discussion
Overview of mid-term exam
Assignment for Week 7: Read
Chapter 7 of Finnegan.
Week 7: 2/27
Language Universals
Lecture: Chapter 7 of
Language: Its Structure and Use
Universal Grammar?
Discussion
Mid-term Exam the last hour of
class
Assignment: Read Chapter 8 of
Finnegan;
Journal response to 8-12.
3/6 No class-
Spring Break
Week 8: 3/13
Return exams, answer questions
Lecture: Chapter
8 of Language: Its Structure and Use
Language Myth: "Some Languages
are Harder Than Others."
Discussion
Assignment: Read Chapter 9 of Finnegan.
Week 9: 3/20
Speech Acts and Conversation
Lecture: Chapter 9 of
Language: Its Structure and Use.
Application Activities
Language Myth: "Women Talk Too
Much."
Discussion
Assignment: Read Chapter 10;
Journal response to 10-10.
Week 10: 3/27
Registers: Language Variation across Situations
Lecture: Chapter 10 of
Language: Its Structure and Use
Language myth: "Bad Grammar is
Slovenly."
Application Activities
Discussion
Assignment: Read Chapter 11.
Week 11: 4/3
Dialects: Language Variation across Social Groups
Lecture: Chapter 11 of
Language: Its Structure and Use
Language Myth: "In the
Appalachians, They Speak Like
Shakespeare."
Application Activities
Discussion
Assignment: Read Chapter 12;
Journal response to 12-1 (choose 1).
Week 12: 4/10
Linguistics and Writing
Lecture: Chapter 12 of
Language: Its Structure and Use
Language Myth: "The Media Are
Ruining English"
Application Activities
Discussion
Assignment: Read Chapter 13 of
Finnegan.
Week 13: 4/17
Historical Linguistics: Language Change over Time
Lecture: Chapter 13 of
Language: Its Structure and Use
Language Myth: "Aborigines
Speak a Primitive Language"
Application Activities
Discussion
Assignment: Read Chapter 14 of
Finnegan; Journal response to 14-7 &
14-8.
Week 14: 4/24
Historical Development in English
Lecture: Chapter 14 of
Language: Its Structure and Use
Language Myth: "Double
Negatives Are Illogical"
Article Review #2 Due–sharing of
information
Application Activities
Discussion
Assignment: Read Chapter 15 of
Finnegan.
Week 15: 5/1
First and Second Language Acquisition
Lecture: Chapter 15 of
Language: Its Structure and Use
Discussion
Week 16: 5/8
Observational Project and Digital Presentation Due–
be prepared to
share.
Review for semester exam
Week 17: 5/15
Semester exam
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