SYLLABUS FOR HISTORY and STUDY of the ENGLISH LANGUAGE

 

Term:  Fall 2005 (05-1)                                   

Course Number: ENG 320x

Instructor:   Dr. Barbara Goodman

Office:  515

Office Phone: 219-473-4272

E-mail:  bgoodman@ccsj.edu

Office Hours:     Monday                                3:30-7:00

                                Tuesday               By appointment

                                Wednesday         1:00-5:00 PM

                                Thursday             3:30-7:00

 

Instructor Background: Currently director of English.  Also direct college drama productions and sponsor trips to theatrical events (e.g. annual trip to Canada for Shakespeare Festival).

 

Course Time: Mondays 7:00 – 10:00p

 

Course Description: This course traces the evolution and development of the English language from its Indo-European roots to today’s varied regional and cultural vernaculars.  It examines the controversy over the structural canons of the English Language and surveys historical and current linguistic theories.

 

Prerequisites: ENG 103, 104

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

Students in this course will:

 

English major competencies:

1.       Examine the nature of the English language and how that nature influences developments in literature and writing

 

2.       Demonstrate the ability to do research and writing that pertains to the multifaceted discipline of English and Professional Writing (e.g. literary, historical, legal)

 

Specific Course competencies:

·         Explain the importance of language in general

·         Identify and interpret the geography of the English language

·         Explain the history and development of the English language

·         Identify the “trees” of languages and Indo-European tree in particular

·         Compare and contrast Old/Middle/Modern English grammar, syntax, and vocabulary

·         Identify and give examples of major linguistic trends/laws (e.g. Grimm’s, Verner’s, GVS)

·         Review and reproduce grammatical and structural canons of the English language and analyze their variations through the centuries

·         Recognize and apply the variety of linguistic theories

 

Textbooks:          Mother Tongue (Bryson)

                                Internet/Web sites (Blackboard)

Learning Strategies: (Group Discussions, Collaborative Learning, Lecturing…etc.)

 

Assessment:

                                Test (Mother Tongue/terms)                                            15 points

                                Two homework packets    (15 points each)                  30 points

                                Research paper (12+ pages)                                           20 points

                                Oral presentation                                                                                15 points

                                Final Test                                                                             15 points

                                Attendance/Participation                                                     5 points

                                TOTAL                                                                                  100 POINTS                       

 

Class Policy for Assignments and Assessment:

 

1) Class participation/attendance:

                                0-3 hours absences            no points subtracted

                                3-6 hours absences            1.5 points subtracted

                                6-9 hours absences            3 points subtracted

More than nine hours absences can prevent a student from passing the class

 

2) All assignments must be handed in on time, or if late, with proper explanation.  Late papers will adversely

    affect the student’s grade.  Late papers can and will be penalized with a loss of up to 6 points

    (depending on reason for lateness and delay in submitting the paper).  Under most circumstances,

    late paper will not be accepted without previous consultation with professor.

 

Grading Scale:

 

A: 93-100                A-: 90-92               B+:  88-89     B: 83-87         B-:  80-82    C+: 78-79

C: 73-77                 C-: 70-72              D+:  68-69     D: 63-67         D-:  60-62    F:  59 & below

 

Class Policy on Attendance:

 

In accordance with the English program policy, any student missing more than NINE (9) hours of class will receive an F.  These nine hours include both excused and unexcused absences.  Please be aware there hours include birthdays, sport events, illness, work, etc.  If a problem arises with your absences, please come and talk to me immediately.

 

Class Policy on Electronic Devices:

 

Please turn off all cell phones, beepers, etc.  It is disruptive to have them going off during class.  If there is an important reason why you must have your phone or beeper turned on (e.g. illness at home, work situation), please inform me before class begins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Outline:

 

Class Dates:                                                       Topics/Assignments:

 

August 29                                                              Introduction to course. 

Examination of language and its importance in society

Important terms to know

Read Mother Tongue for Sept. 12.

                                                                                               

September 12                                                      Discussion of Mother Tongue

**Test on Mother Tongue and terms from first day**

Review Web sites/assign research paper

                                                                                               

September  19                                                     Indo-European Languages and “pre-English”

 

September 26                                                      Old English

                                                                                Approval of R.P. topic/thesis

 

October  3                                                             Middle English

                                                                                **First homework packet due**

 

October 10                                                           Early Modern English

                                                                                                               

October 17                                                           No Class: Drama class in London

                                                                                                                               

October 24                                                           Modern English

 

October 31                                                           Modern American English

                                                                                **Second homework packet due**

 

November 7                                                          Transformational Grammar/Linguistic Theory

                                                                               

November 14                                                       Transformational Grammar continued

Orals (if time requires)

 

November 21                                                       Orals

                                                                               

November 28                                                       Paleography studies and writing’s influence of language

                                                                                **Research Paper due**

 

December 7                                                         Review for exam

                                                                                               

December 8                                                         Final Exam

                                                                                                                               

 

 

Class Participation: This class required good attendance and participation.  See Assessment and Attendance Policy above.

 

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)  Please be aware that your paper will be submitted for examination for plagiarism to Turnitin.com, a plagiarism-check Internet company with which the college has contracted.

 

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.).  All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore.  These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.

 

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).