An introduction to the fundamentals of language study with equal emphasis on the sound, word, sentence, meaning, and discourse patterns of English. Educationally relevant topics, such as applications of linguistics to the teaching of English language and literature, varieties of grammar, and linguistic descriptions of styles and registers are an integral part of the course.

Language Acquisition Journal                                            10%

Writing to Learn                                                                    10%

Grammar Position Paper & PowerPoint Presentation    30%

Final Examination                                                                 30%

Class Participation                                                                20%

Sagan, C. (1989). The dragons of Eden. NY: Ballantine.

Williams, J. D. (1999). The teacher’s grammar book. Mahwah, NJ.

Wolfram, W., Adger, C. T., & Christian, D. (1999). Dialects in schools and communities. Mahwah,

     NJ: Erlbaum.

Additional book, book chapters, articles, and other readings as assigned.

Tuesday, August 27

Thursday, August 29 Defining language and linguistic study

    Bolton, W. F. (1981). Language: An introduction In V. P. Clark, P. A. Eschholz, & A. F. Rosa (Eds.),

       Language: Introductory readings 3rd ed. (3-17). NY: St. Martin's Press.

    Lehman, W. P. (1981). What is linguistics? In V. P. Clark, P. A. Eschholz, & A. F. Rosa (Eds.),

       Language: Introductory readings 3rd ed. (18-25). NY: St. Martin's Press.

Tuesday, September 3 The Origins of Language & Language Variation

    Bolinger, D. (1981). The origin of language. In V. P. Clark, P. A. Eschholz, & A. F. Rosa (Eds.),

       Language: Introductory readings 3rd ed. (26-44). NY: St. Martin's Press.

    Woolfson, P. (1981). Language, thought, and culture. In V. P. Clark, P. A. Eschholz, & A. F. Rosa

        (Eds.), Language: Introductory readings 3rd ed. (45-54). NY: St. Martin's Press.

Thursday, September 5 Wolfram et al. Chapter 1

Tuesday, September 10 Wolfram et al. Chapter 2

Thursday, September 12 Wolfram et al. Chapter 3

Tuesday, September 17 Wolfram et al. Chapter 4

Thursday, October 19 Wolfram et al. Chapter 5

Tuesday, September 24 Wolfram et al. Chapter 6

Thursday, September 26 Williams, pages 1-9, 50-65, 141-155

Tuesday. October 1

Thursday, October 3 

Tuesday. October 8 Writing Exercise

Thursday, October 10 Group Meetings to Prepare Research Studies.

Tuesday. October 15 What is Grammar: Preparation for Final Project.

Thursday, October 17  Laboratory Day for Research Studies Preparation

Tuesday. October 22 Research Studies Due 

Williams, pages 54-79.  For class on October 15, under the heading of "Applying Key Idea,." on page 55, write phrase structure rules for the first sentences under  Also, on pages 79, draw the tree diagrams for the first five sentences.

Thursday, October 24  Williams, pages 80-110.  For class, prepare the tree diagrams for the first five sentences on pages 90, 97, 110..

Tuesday. October 29 PowerPoint on Research Projects and Paper due.

Thursday, October 31 Williams, pages 111-140.  For class, prepare the tree diagrams for the first five sentences on pages 128, 136, 139.

Tuesday, November 5  Williams, pages 155-221.  For class, prepare the tree diagrams for the first five sentences on page 223.

Thursday, November 7 Williams, pages 10-48. For class, rewrite the 10 sentences on page 49, listed under, "Part 1."

Tuesday, November 12  For class prepare the answer to the question on page 221, under "Applying Key Ideas." 

Thursday, November 14  Read Wolfram et al. Chapter 7

Tuesday, November 19 

Thursday, November 21 No Class--Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of English

Tuesday, November 26 No Class--Thanksgiving Break

Thursday, November 28 No Class, Thanksgiving Break

Tuesday, December 3     Sagan

Thursday, December, 5     PowerPoint Presentations and Paper on Grammar Project due

Final Examination (follow the link to the left to find the final examination)

Tuesday, December 10, 2:45 to 4:45: PowerPoint Presentations on Grammar Project

Thursday, December 12, Take home final examination due by the end of the scheduled examination period.  Please see the final examination schedule on URSA for the time and location.