Course Description
Introduction to formal study of the English language, including intensive review of structural and transformational grammars. Other topics of interest to teachers of English, including geographical and social dialects and teaching composition. Course satisfies a Program requirement for prospective English teachers. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- The ability to read critically and discuss the aesthetic, rhetorical, or cultural qualities in texts.
- Explore linguistic applications and methods specific to the ELA classroom
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Discussion Posts / Class Participation | 25% |
| Exam #1 | 25% |
| Exam #2 | 25% |
| Teaching Project | 25% |
Grades will be earned as follows:
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 98-100% | A+ |
| 94-97% | A |
| 90-93% | A |
| 87-89% | B+ |
| 83-86% | B |
| 80-82% | B |
| 77-79% | C+ |
| 73-76% | C |
| 70-72% | C |
| 67-69% | D+ |
| 63-66% | D |
| 60-62% | D- |
| 59 points or below | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Active attendance is required. Learning happens in community, not in a silo — you can't participate if you're not present. You are allowed two absences, excused or unexcused, no questions asked. Starting with the third absence, 5 points are deducted from your final grade per absence (e.g., an 85 becomes an 80 at 3 absences, 75 at 4, 70 at 5). Be proactive if something comes up — contact me before you've missed a week. Simply attending is not enough for full participation credit; you need to engage meaningfully—which means you are reading and bringing your understanding to class discussions.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
Curzan & Adams, How English Works: A Linguistic Introduction (3rd ed.), Pearson. ISBN 978-0-205-03228-0.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.