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Section
28780, T/TH 2:00-3:50 p.m. |
Course Description, Purpose,
and Obejctives
From the catalog: English
372 traces the development of modern English from its beginnings to the present,
examining historic and linguistic influences on change in both spoken and written
English. Explores theories of language development, with emphasis on their practical
implications.
Our section: Course description, purpose, and objectives: In this course,
students will learn basic language description skills and linguistic terminology,
and we will discuss the development and history of the English language. In
doing so, we will focus on the beginnings of English in the fifth century in
Britain through the development of American English to its present representations
around the world. We will analyze the external factors impacting the language,
including the influences of conquering armies, literary and other developments
in written language, and migration patterns, while also analyzing the internal
elements of the evolving language, including lexical development, sound changes,
and grammatical shifts. Additionally, the rise of literacy and its impact on
English will be explored. We will focus on how and why language changes and
why variation exists among speakers of the same language. The approach will
be descriptivist and variationist; that is, special emphasis will be given to
issues of linguistic diversity, how prestige and non-prestige varieties of English
evolve(d), and how understanding attitudes about language, politics, and power
is crucial to an understanding of how English originated, how it functions among
its native and non-native speakers, and how and why standards emerge. We will
also explore the development of English into a global lingua franca and discuss
the implications of its apparent dominance. Applications of the history of English
to the teaching of English will also be considered.
Required Texts (available at campus and University Bookstores; also check online booksellers for affordable used copies):
Note: Additional readings
and other media (film, video, etc.) may also be assigned. Stay in the loop!
Assignments, exams, and grading
Final exam.....................................25%
Midterm exam................................20%
Paper..............................................15%
Exercises and quizzes..................20%
Presentations.................................10%
Attendance and participation.......10%Grading criteria for all assignments:
A = 91-100% Excellent (not merely good) work.
BA = 87-90%
B = 81-86%
CB = 77-80%
C = 71-76%
DC = 67-70%
D = 60-66%
F = 0-59% Work does not meet minimum standards.Towards the end of the semester, you will receive a course grade sheet that breaks down exactly how your grade is being calculated, but at any time during the semester, you are welcome and encouraged to stop by during office hours (or make an appointment) to discuss your progress in the course.
Exams: The midterm will include everything covered during the first half of the semester and the final will cover the second half as well as important earlier material. Each exam will include identifications and short essay questions in addition to problems (such as phonetic transcriptions) relevant to the current course material.
Paper (due November 19): This assignment is an opportunity for you to apply concepts learned in class and to present the results in journal-article format. We will discuss the assignment and generate topic ideas in class. Ultimately, the topic will be of your choosing. You may also be asked to present your findings orally to the class.
Exercises and quizzes will help keep you on track and up to date. Learning the discipline of linguistics is a cumulative process. Gaps in your knowledge early on can cause problems later.
Presentations: These will include individual and group presentations and discussion leadership on researched and textual materials. We'll set up a schedule for these early in the semester.
Attendance and participation: The Development of Modern English is a very interesting topic but a pretty demanding course, requiring a solid set of skills and base of knowledge that you will have to master early on, and therefore active participation is a must. This means you need to be present every day to the extent that it is humanly possible. Readings, discussions, and activities complement each other, so you need to be in class in order to participate in all components of the course. If you must miss class, my policy is to permit three "freebie" absences. By "freebie," I mean that I do not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences. I also mean that's all you get. Exceptions can only be made in cases of serious illness (such as those requiring hospitalization) and other documentable emergencies. If you miss more than three class meetings, there may be a substantial deduction in your course grade. Minimal absences reflect favorably. Excessive absences don't, and five or more may result in a course grade of F.
Being late to class should
happen only rarely if ever. Of course, we all have our moments, and infrequent
lapses may occur. Overall, however, make it a habit to be in class on time.
Otherwise, you risk missing important course content (such as instructions or
quizzes) which may be over by the time you get there. Keep in mind that when
you walk in late, it is distracting to other students. The same goes for leaving
early. It is your responsibility to stay on top of what goes on in class whether
you are there or not. If you are late, it is your responsibility to stay after
class to make sure you have been marked present. Absences resulting from uncorrected
lates count towards your three allotted absences. Habitual lateness will result
in a reduction of your participation score and hence your course grade. Leaving
at the break will be recorded as an absence.
Academic Integrity
All work you turn in for this class
must be your own, with all outside reference sources properly cited and acknowledged.
Plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, any kind of falsification or forgery,
computer misuse, multiple submission, complicity, and any other type of academic
dishonesty on any exams or work assigned for this course, will not be tolerated
in any form. You are required to read and comply fully with the policies and
definitions outlined in the Western Michigan University statement on academic
integrity, available in the undergraduate and graduate student catalogs and
online at <http://www.osc.wmich.edu/academicintegrity/catalog.html/>.
If there is reason to believe any student has been involved in academic dishonesty,
he or she will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. The student will
be given the opportunity to review the charge(s) and have the opportunity for
a hearing. Please consult with me if you are in doubt about how to cite a source
in your paper, whether a source is appropriate, whether a citation is needed,
if you are not sure what level of help on an assignment constitutes collusion,
or with any other academic integrity questions. As I am also required to uphold
the standards of academic integrity, my policy is zero tolerance for any type
of deception, and I do not want for any of you to find out the hard way how
seriously I take this.
Students with Disabilities should contact Ms. Beth Denhartigh at the beginning of the semester at 387-2116 or by email at beth.denhartigh@wmich.edu so that any physical, learning, vision, hearing, psychiatric or other disability can be documented and accommodations arranged. Please note that a disability determination must be made by Ms. Denhartigh's office before accommodations can be made.
Late work is generally frowned upon in college and elsewhere, and this class is no exception. Arrangements should be made in advance (and you'll need a documentable explanation). Unexplained late work (or excuses after the fact) will not be accepted and a grade of zero will be assessed for the assignment.
Makeups:
Daily assignments, exercises, quizzes, presentations, and in-class activities
cannot be made up if missed because of lateness or absence. Makeups on major
assignments, such as exams or papers, must be arranged with me in advance of
due dates in order to avoid penalties, and you will have to make a pretty strong
case in order to be granted an extension.
Classroom etiquette: You are not required to agree with everything you read or everything that is said during discussions in this class. You are encouraged to read and think critically. An open dialogue is encouraged, and all thoughtful contributions are welcome; I ask only that everyone be respectful during class discussions. The goal is for our classroom to be a safe place to flex your intellectual muscles, where everyone feels comfortable generating, expressing, and challenging ideas. Your help in reaching this goal is essential. Also, please familiarize yourself with and adhere to Western Michigan's code of student conduct at http://www.osc.wmich.edu/studentcode/conduct.html. Students who are not willing or able to abide by the code and respect the rights of everyone to a comfortable teaching and learning environment will be asked to leave.
Other etiquette issues: Sleeping,
eating, grooming, reading non-course materials, doing homework, having conversations,
using any kind of electronic communications device, and other such activities
are discouraged because of their disruptive and impolite nature, and also because
they keep you from fully participating. Your active participation is part of
your course grade, of course, and also, nothing interesting will happen in class
without your input. That is, the class will be as interesting as you make it.
Showing up on time and prepared (that means completing all reading assignments
and other homework and being ready to work when you get here) will help your
grade as well as enhance your learning experience.
Formatting for Written Assignments
and Other Things to Remember: All hard copies of assignments
must be word-processed (typed) and double-spaced, including papers and any written
homework assignments. All papers must have 1" margins and follow MLA or
Chicago style for page headings, page numbering, formatting and documentation
(we'll go over this in class). For formal essays, I recommend using Times New
Roman 12 or a comparably sized sans serif font (like Arial), if you prefer.
Larger than standard print and/or margins will not be acceptable and will raise
questions about whether the author who uses these strategies has actually met
the requirements of an assignment. Electronic copies of assignments will not
be accepted in lieu of hard copies. Graded assignments and exams will generally
be returned within one to two weeks.
If you would like extra help with course material, you are always welcome in my office. There is no need for an appointment if you would like to drop by during my office hours (Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4:00-5:30 p.m.), but please make arrangements with me if you are not free during office hours so that we can set up a time to meet. Also, please email me any time if you have questions or concerns.
Workload: I won't sugar-coat it; the workload for this course is substantial, with challenging (and plentiful) reading assignments and frequent written assignments. You will need to keep up with all readings and other deadlines as assigned because if you aren't prepared, you won't be able to participate in class discussions, which will be (1) boring for you and (2) detrimental to your progress in the course.
A word to the wise: Failure to follow directions is one of my two pet peeves; the other is failure to listen or read carefully when instructions are being given. The first is almost always a result of the second. Points will be subtracted from work which does not properly respond to all requirements of the assignment. If you are ever not completely clear on what is being asked of you, please check with me either in person or via email.
English 372 Schedule of Reading and
Writing Assignments
I reserve the right to make minor adjustments or massive changes to this syllabus as a result of interference from reality. Also, additional activities and readings may be assigned in class. If you come to class every day and follow along with any announced changes, you'll never be out of the loop. You are also encouraged to check our class updates page regularly for news, schedule changes, and announcements. Please read all assignments in advance of class discussions. Our class lectures and discussions will not be linear recapitulations of readings, so it will help to have the entire week's reading complete by Monday's class meeting time (except where noted on the schedule) so that you can participate fully.
Week 1: Introduction to the History
of English and How to Study It
Aug 31-Sep 02
Read Fennell, Chapter 1. Discussion topics:
•Why the history of English is important.
•How and why languages change over time.
•What every student of the English language needs to know about linguistics.
Week 2: The Sounds of Language: Introduction
to Phonology
Sep 07-09
Read Algeo and Pyles, "The Sounds of Current English," available on the library's e-reserve page. Discussion topics:
•Places and manners of articulation.
•Fun with IPA: Learning phonetic transcription.
Week 3: Continue work on IPA and
places/manners of articulation. Also, How Writing Fits Into All This
Sep 14-16
Read reserve article: Millward, "Writing." Discussion topics:
•Review places and manners of articulation.
•Relationship between speech and writing, and between spelling and sound.
•Practice transcription.
Week 4: Before There Was English:
The Indo-European Hypothesis and How Languages are Related
Sep 21-23
Read: Fennell, Chapter 2. Discussion topics:
•Historical linguistics and language families.
•The development of Indo-European (and the Indo-European hypothesis).
•From Indo-European to Germanic.
•Practice transcription.
•Paper assigned (due Friday, November 19, by 5 p.m.).
Week 5: Old English, or "This
is English? It looks like a foreign language!"
Sep 28-30
Read: Fennell, Chapter 3. Discussion topics:
•England before English.
•Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian influences.
•The place of English among Germanic languages.
Week 6: Continue discussion of Old
English
Oct 05-07
Continue to work from Fennell, Chapter 3. Discussion topics:
•Grammar, morphology, and phonology of Old English.
•Variation within Old English and the impact of language contact.
•The earliest literature in English.
Week 7: Review and Midterm Exam.
Oct 12-14
Make sure you are up to date on all reading. Discussion topics:
•Tuesday: Complete discussion of Old English and Review for midterm exam.
•Thursday: Take exam. Exam will cover all material up to and including Old English.
Week 8: Middle English, or "This
still looks like a foreign language!"
Oct 19-21
Read: Fennell, Chapter 4. Discussion topics:
•The Norman Invasion.
•Norman influence on language spoken in England.
•The decline of and revival of English.
•Language change and linguistic characteristics of Middle English.
Week 9: More about Middle English.
Oct 26-28
Continue discussion of Fennell, Chapter 4. Discussion topics:
•Language change and linguistic characteristics of Middle English.
•Language variation and language contact in Middle English.
•Middle English literature.
Last date to withdraw from classes: Monday, November 1.
Week 10: Evolution and Revolution:
Early Modern English.
Nov 02-04
Read: Fennell, Chapter 5 (through page 152); reserve articles: Millward, "Outer History" (223-227), and Bodine, "Androcentrism in Prescriptive Grammar." Discussion topics:
•How Modern English became modern.
•Phonological, morphological, and syntactic changes to the language.
•The rise of prescriptivism and linguistic authority.
Week 11: Early Modern English continued.
Nov 09-11
Read: Finish Fennell, Chapter 5. Discussion topics:
•More about changes to the language, including the Great Vowel Shift.
•Literature in EME.
•Language variation and standardization.
Week 12: Present-Day English...at
last!
Nov 16-18
Read: Fennell, pp. 167-179, and Chapter 7. Discussion topics:
•Social and political impacts on language development.
•The sounds, structure, and vocabulary of Modern English.
•English in the United States and Britain.
•Papers due by 5 p.m. Friday, November 19.
Week 13: American English.
Nov 23-25 (No class Thursday: Thanksgiving break!)
Finish discussion of Fennell, Chapter 7, and read Chapter 8 through page 256. Discussion topics:
•Variation in American English.
•Perceptions about dialects and correctness.
•English around the world.
Week 14: Last week of class! The
Globalization of English.
Nov 30-Dec 02
Read: Fennell, pp. 256-269. Discussion topics:
•English around the world.
•Impacts of English on other world languages.
•The politics and economics of English.
•Review for final exam. December 02: last day of class.
Week 15: Final Exam: Tuesday, December 7, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Location to be announced.
