English 342: Course Description, p.1

English 342: Contemporary English Grammar and Usage

Fall 2008

Details

Instructor: John M. Ware
Office: Main 327

Office hours: Tuesday: 2:30-3:30; Wednesday 2:00-3:00, Thursday 2:30-5:00, and by appointment.
Office phone: 597-4362
Email:

Sections: ENGL 342A; MWF 1:00-1:50; Main 324

Course Materials

The following texts are required and available from the Wofford College Bookstore:

Anne Curzan and Michael Adams, How English Works (Pearson, 2006).

Martha Kolln and Robert Funk, Understanding English Grammar, 7th ed. (Longman, 2006).

Other useful texts include:

The American Heritage Dictionary, 4th ed. (Houghton Mifflin, 2006).

David Crystal, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language, 2nd ed. (Cambridge U P, 2003).

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage, ed. E. Ward Gilman (Merriam-Webster, 1994).

The Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd ed. (Oxford U P, 2000).

Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (Unabridged) (1961; Merriam-Webster, 2000).

Course Description

The primary undertaking in English 342 is to introduce students to one way of understanding English grammar—the systematic account of rules governing the English language. As part of that effort, we will distinguish between grammar in the above sense of the term and usage, which refers both to the English language as it is written and spoken (language usage or use) and also to those concerns that many writers and speakers have about the way in which the English language is used (as opposed to the way in which it functions). For example, writers who avoid splitting infinitives observe a usage convention that is grammatically irrelevant. Topics raised in our study of the English language will include: a brief history of the development of English and the study of English grammar, discussion of language varieties, consideration of theories of meaning, and study of language acquisition. Because of its linguistic focus, English 342 crosses disciplines (the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities) and subject areas within disciplines (English, philosophy, and history). The study of English grammar requires tolerance for the abstract and ambiguous. Moreover, the study of language, while seemingly esoteric, can quickly become personal: one need only think of the use of words to devalue people to realize that this is a course in which effective discussion relies on each contributor’s tact and maturity.

Coursework

The graded assignments for English 342 include three tests, a reading notebook, and one essay.

Tests will typically ask you to demonstrate both your understanding of the central ideas discussed in the texts up to that point in the class and also your ability to work with those ideas in ways that move beyond the texts. Electronic versions of previous tests are available through the library’s electronic reserves. Test 3 will be given on the date of our final exam and will involve material covered after test 2.

The reading notebook consists of your discussion of six articles on topics related to this class. Notebook entries should be at least 300 words. One way of using to the reading notebook to your advantage is to focus the readings on the topic of your essay. Reading notebooks are due in stages: the first three entries are due on10/17, the second three entries are due on 11/14.

A research-based essay on a topic of your choice is due on the final day of class. Each student is required to give a presentation to the class on their essay topic in advance of that date. Presentations should last approximately 5 minutes, be delivered in extemporaneous fashion, and cover the genesis, development, and likely argument of the essay.

In addition to the graded assignments, I expect you to attend class regularly, complete the assigned reading, and contribute to class discussion. Even though I don’t assign and collect them, the exercises in Kolln and Funk are invaluable for employing the concepts and understanding the material. You can augment your class discussion through contributions to our course blog:

Attendance and Participation

Attendance, preparation, and participation contribute 10% to your final grade. A general, but not binding, way of conceiving of the effect of attendance on your grade is as follows: with 1-3 absences, you may still earn an A in attendance; with 3-5 absences, you may still earn a B in attendance; with 5-7 absences, you may still earn a C or a D in attendance; with 7-9 absences, you will likely receive an F (00) in attendance; with more than 9 absences, you will not get credit for this course. Alert me to necessary absences and unusual circumstances; retain documentation of absences. With supporting documentation, absences due to official college events will not negatively affect your grade, but they will count as absences.

If you enter class after I have checked the roll, you are late, and it is your responsibility to see me immediately after class to be certain that I count you as present. If you are more than fifteen minutes late to class, you are welcome to stay, but I will not give you credit for having attended.

Participation involves the completion of required assignments such as reading, writing, drafts, and comments on drafts. Participation includes the extent of your contributions to discussion, in class and online, and the quality of your comments on peers’ drafts.

Grades

  • Test 1 (20%)
  • Test 2 (20%)
  • Test 3 (20%)
  • Reading Notebook (10%)
  • Essay (20%)
  • Attendance and Participation (10%)

Grades are represented on a 100-point scale, but you can convert them to a letter grade according to the following:

  • 93-100: A; 90-92: A-
  • 87-89: B+; 83-86: B; 80-82: B-
  • 77-79: C+; 73-76: C; 70-72: C-
  • 60-69: D
  • 00-59: F

Your grade is something you earn, and you have every right to be concerned about it. Please visit me during my office hours or schedule a time to meet with me if you have any questions or concerns about your grade.

Assignments and Public Folders

While we will use online folders for some aspects of the course, you should assume that all assignments are to be printed unless otherwise specified. No handwritten assignments please.

Outlook Web Access allows us to use password-protected public folders to post assignments and maintain asynchronous online discussions. Public folders are located on the left-hand menu below your email sub-folders. Open the public folder, then the folder labeled “200809,” then the folder “ENGL342A”; you’ll see three folders related to the class: Assignments, Discussion, and Homework. The Assignments folder contains material related to the course such as the syllabus and essay assignments; the Discussion folder houses prompts and responses; the Homework folder is designated for material submitted directly to me (electronic versions of essays, for example). In order to post, select the appropriate folder and then select the “New” button (the one with the thumbtack) at the top of the folder frame. Responses should be included as text in the pane that opens (no attachments, please). Essays should be submitted as attachments.

Office Hours, Email, Phone

Office hours are times during which you can drop by my office without prior notice and with the assurance that I will be there unless I have indicated otherwise. Please take advantage of this time to discuss any aspects of this class. I will gladly meet with you at other times; we simply need to arrange to do so. My office phone number is 597-4362, but the most effective way to contact me is by email.

The Honor Code

The Wofford College Honor Pledge charges students to uphold the integrity of the College. In this course, we will discuss methods by which writers clearly signal material derived from an outside source and incorporated into their own work through quotation, paraphrase, or summary. Failure to properly acknowledge one’s sources or to appropriately quote, paraphrase, or summarize constitutes plagiarism, which is an honor code violation.

All writing for this class is to originate with this class. If you wish to use writing from an earlier point in your academic career, you need to discuss this matter with me prior to submitting any assignment.

Classroom Policies

Food.

Telephony.

Laptops.

Other Resources

WoffordCollege offers services related to students’ academic performance and personal wellbeing:The Reading, Writing, and Research Center andHealth Services.