Proposal for new course: EN 415/515 English Grammar and Usage
David Boe, Associate Professor
Department of English
Northern Michigan University
(1) Bulletin Description
EN 415/515 English Grammar and Usage (4 cr.)
Offered: Every other fall
Prerequisites (for undergraduates): EN 211, junior standing, or instructor’s permission.
Asurveyof modern Standard English grammar and usage. Topics include lexical categories, phrase structure,clause structure, modification, subordination, discourse functions of grammar, punctuation, and the acquisition of grammatical features.
(2) Bulletin Copy
This proposed course will be listed in the NMU undergraduate bulletin under “course descriptions,” and will be listed within the English Department program section as an approved elective, for both majors and minors. In the graduate bulletin, it will be listed under “course descriptions,” and will be listed as a required course for the proposed TESOL Certificate Program (TESOL = Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages), and as an approved elective for the Master of Arts degree in English.
(3) Rationale for Course Content
As part of NMU’s efforts at Internationalization, a 20-credit TESOL Certificate program is being developed in the Department of English. Such graduate-level programs are found at numerous institutions throughout the U.S., and the curriculums of these programs are fairly consistent. A standard offering as part of TESOL Certification is a course in English Grammar, along with courses in Second Language Acquisition (SLA), TESL Methods and Materials (TESL = Teaching English as a Second Language), and a supervised TESL Practicum (involving hands-on teaching experience). An elective course will round out the 20-credit program. This proposed course in descriptive English grammar and usage will thus represent a core component of this new TESOL Certificate.
(4) Rationale for Course Number and Credits
The proposed course numbers, EN 415/515, do not overlap with any other course offerings at NMU, and it is anticipated that these numbers will be adjacent to the numberings of other TESOL Certificate courses. Although primarily intended as a graduate-level offering (EN 515), enrollment will be open to qualified undergraduates (EN 415). Similar to other such offerings at NMU, this will be a 4-credit course.
(5) Course objectives
This course will be available for both undergraduate and graduate credit. For both audiences, the objectives of this course are as follows: (a) develop an understanding of the historical distinction between prescriptive and descriptive grammar, in the context of contemporary grammatical theory, (b) develop an understanding of the hierarchical nature of English grammar, from lexical categories to phrase structure to clause structure, (c) develop an understanding of sentence types, adjectival and adverbial modification, coordination, and subordination, (d) develop an understanding of usage issues, including punctuation and discourse features of grammar, (e) develop an understanding of the acquisition of English grammar by children (L1) and adults (L2); and for graduate students, (f) develop the ability to conduct linguistic research related to Standard English Grammar. (Those taking the course for graduate credit will propose and carry out independent grammar research, and will submit their findings in aformal research paper.)
(6) Course Outline
EN 415/515 ENGLISH GRAMMAR
Description
This upper-level course provides a comprehensive overview of modern Standard English grammar and usage. We will begin by discussing the traditional distinction between prescriptive and descriptive approaches to grammar, with reference made to the status of contemporary grammatical theory. We then work our way through English grammar in a hierarchical manner, beginning with lexical categories, followed by phrase structure and clause structure, with related discussion of sentence types, nominal/adjectival/adverbial modification, punctuation, and discourse features of grammar. We will conclude with discussion of the acquisition of grammatical features by first and second language learners. Additionally, graduate students will be given the opportunity to conduct independent research related to the grammar of English.
Organization
The format of this course will be a combination of lectures and informal discussions. The presentation of material will primarily be text-based (i.e., it will involve close readings of selected passages and/or in-class completion of selected exercises and problems), so it is important to bring the textbook to each class meeting.
Requirements
(1) Attendance and preparation. You are expected to attend class, be prepared to actively contribute to the discussions, and listen respectfully while others are speaking. Try to complete the required reading before each class meeting. Attendance will be taken every class; excessive absences may negatively affect the final grade.
(2) Textbook problem assignments. There will be occasional homework assignments based on the textbook material.
(2) Research paper proposal (graduate students). A detailed proposal (one page, typed), with a tentative outline and preliminary bibliography, must be submitted for instructor approval.
(3) Midterm exams. These will be in-class exams covering material discussed during the first two-thirds of the course, and will consist of short essay questions and problems for analysis.
(4) Research paper (graduate students). Students taking the course for graduate credit will complete an outside research paper project on some aspect of the grammar of English. The paper should be 7-10 pages in length, double-spaced, appropriate font and margins, in APA format.
(5) Final exam. The will be an in-class examcovering material discussed during the last third of the course, and will consist of short essay questions and problems for analysis.
Topics:
Introduction to the course; review of historical background of the English language
Prescriptive and descriptive approaches to grammar; speaking vs. writing
Lexical categories (“parts of speech”), lexical semantics, lexical change
Phrasal categories (NP, VP, PP, AdjP, AdvP), phrase-structure rules
Verb phrase patterns, transitivity, tense, aspect, voice, mood
Clause structure, coordination, subordination, interrogation, negation
Modification, nominals, adjectivals, adverbials
Punctuation, spoken/written discourse structure, L1/L2 acquisition of grammar
The future of “standard” English; course wrap-up; student evaluations
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(7) Anticipated Costs/Needs for Staff: None. This course can be offered on load by qualified English Department faculty.
(8) Anticipated Costs/Needs for Equipment and Supplies: None.
(9) Anticipated Costs/Needs for Library: None. The NMU library has a good selection of books on English grammar, and the instructor has numerous grammar texts in his office for reference.
(10) Effects on Other Departments: Although designed for students in the new TESOL Certificate program in the Department of English, this course may also be on interest to students in other departments, such as Modern Languages and Literatures or Education.
(11) Deletion of Courses: No courses are deleted as part of this course proposal.
(12) Planned Implementation Date: Fall semester, 2011.