English 106 - Fall, 2012

English Grammar

Class Information

Instructor: Ward, Kathleen
Time: MWF 10:00-10:50
Location: 226 Wellman

Description

Cross listed with LIN 106

Description and Purpose of the Course: This course deals with the grammatical structure of the English language, focusing on the major syntactical structures of sentences. We will use modern language analysis techniques and the premise that it is necessary to understand how sentences are put together in order to be able to diagnose the problems sentences may have. This has obvious implications for editing, for writing, and for writing instruction, but a knowledge of language structure can also enhance an appreciation of literature. After this course, you should be able to explain to yourself and to others what is wrong with a questionable sentence and what can be done to improve the sentence.

In addition to writers and editors, people who would like to teach English or language arts in the public schools are the natural audience of this course. It is an irony of teacher training that English teachers are trained primarily in literature, but, in professional practice, they spend most of their time dealing with their students’ language problems. As Carol Numrich has said (in a study of the diaries of beginning teachers) many teachers feel unprepared in their knowledge of language:

Lack of knowledge in grammar was probably one of the biggest concerns of the teachers in this study. Their diary entries consistently reflected a lack of security in their teaching of grammar. Novice teachers who have received not formal instruction in English grammar may feel particularly unequipped to deal with the kinds of questions posed by students. Whether teachers choose to teach grammar explicitly or use a more inductive approach to teaching grammar, they can be sure that students’ questions will abound. If novice teachers were to take a grammar course prior to or in conjunction with their first teaching practicum, they might have more security facing their students’ questions.

The advent of high-stakes testing in the public schools has only increased both the unease of teachers and the need for grammatical instruction.



Grading

Grading will be based on the following items:

6 homework assignments @ 5% each, 30%

1 midterm, 30%

1 final examination, 40%

Regular attendance is required; to receive a passing grade in the course, you must attend class and discussion (more than two unexcused absences will result in a lower grade; a pattern of absences may result in failure in the class), turn in all homework assignments; take both examinations and take and pass the final examination. Late homework assignments will be penalized unless you have a really good excuse. With so many assignments, turning in homework late can put you seriously behind.

Attendance at the discussion/problem sessions is required. The discussions will be used for working on problems, answering questions, and catching up with lectures.

Texts

Analysing Sentences, THIRD EDITION, Noel Burton-Roberts
Workbook/Reader for LIN/ENL 106 (a .pdf file, distributed by e-mail)
Any handbook.
Language Debates, on line at,