FALL 2002
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A historical study of the English language including consideration of Old,
Middle, Modern, and American English. The course will address the nature and
mechanisms of language change over time as well as social, political, and other
historical conditions related to such changes. Attention will given to phonology,
morphology, graphics, syntax, lexicon, and semantics as well as to the literature
and culture of the different historical periods.
TEXTS
Required
Recommended (available at Reinert Alumni Library):
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1) Term Project & Presentation (20%)
Each student will undertake an analytical, research, or creative project (paper, videotaped documentary, web site, art work, etc.) related to any aspect of the use or other features of the English language in any of its historical periods (including the present and future). All projects must also be presented to the class. Projects may be papers (analytical and/or research) tracing, describing, analyzing, and explaining specific features of the language and their historical foundations (MLA format required of all papers; see "Guidelines for Papers"). Projects may also take the form of experiments, field research, or practical studies gathering and analyzing of data on current usages of the language in specific contexts (for example: group or regional dialects, slang, origins of words, peculiarities of pronunciation, etc.). Projects addressing issues in current phonology (the sound of the language) may want to make use of audio/video recordings and may also be accompanied by a written paper. In general, students are encouraged to choose material which is interesting and stimulating and should not feel limited to traditional academic topics. Art works are acceptable provided they are relevant and provide insight into some aspect of the language and its current or historical use. Projects may be undertaken individually or by groups (group projects need to be substantial and extensive enough to justify the participation of two or more people). All projects must be approved by the instructor in advance (see Schedule below).
2) Three Exams (22 % each)
Students will take three exams covering the materials studied. Exams will include objective, multiple choice, short answer, and problem solving questions.
3) Participation and Other (14 %)
Class participation, attendance, effort, attentiveness, preparation, responsibility, and, in general, active and constructive involvement in all aspects of the course will also be taken into consideration in the course grade.
GRADING AND OTHER POLICIES
Deadlines: Make-ups/extensions for a missed deadline will
only be given in cases of documented serious illness or other
valid, non-frivolous excuse such as documented participation in
official University sports or academic/service events (it will be
up to the instructors to determine and decide on the
acceptability of an excuse). Otherwise, students must meet all
deadlines specified in the syllabus.
Student Conduct and Academic Honesty: All students in the class are expected to observe the University's guidelines on student conduct as described in Creighton University's Student Handbook (see "Code of Conduct," and especially the section on "Academic Misconduct" dealing with problems of plagiarism, cheating, etc.).
Grading: Grading: All aspects of the course will be
graded on a 0-100 point scale where 90-100 = A, 87-89 = B+, 80-86
= B, 77-79 = C+, 70-76 = C, 60-69 = D, and 0-59 = F. The course
grade will be calculated according to the following formula:
|
Term Project |
20% |
| Exams |
66%
|
|
Other Performance |
14%
|
|
Total |
100% |
COURSE SCHEDULE
Thu Aug 22
Thu Aug 29
Thu Sep 05
Thu Sep 12
Thu Sep 19
Thu Sep 26
Thu Oct 03
Thu Oct 10
Thu Oct 17
Thu Oct 24
Thu Oct 31
Thu Nov 07
Thu Nov 14
Thu Nov 21
Thu Nov 28
Thu Dec 05
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