W  8/29

1^st day of class

Course objectives; the autobiography of our language

F 8/31

The Play of Language

Reading: English Language: An Owner’s Manual (hereafter ELO), chapter 1; Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language (hereafter CEL), page 2-3

+ reading log

Note the different ways we can use language: expressive, transactional, poetic. Consider examples of each from your experience.

In your reading log [described here]: take notes of central points/concepts/vocabulary; explore a detail you notice in more depth; and write down all questions you have and want to go over in class discussion

M  9/3

Labor Day: no class.

W  9/5

 The Nature of Language

Reading: ELO,  chapter 2

+ reading log

We focus on the different ways linguists (of which you are now one) describe langauge. There are lots of terms: pay attention (especially to the ones in bold), write down all questions, and don’t worry about getting it all at once. Use the log to take notes and ask questions.

F  9/7

Further Reading: The Sound System

CEL, chapter 17.

Note: no reading log is required, though I recommend you continue to use some form of it to interact with the reading and prepare for class discussion. I may give a brief quiz to review the reading from this week—you never know.

We delve further into the issue of language as a sound system, pronunciation, etc. Don’t get caught up in the technical stuff (such as 244-45); look for insight you can apply back to our disucssion from chapter 2.

M  9/10

Language and Society

Reading: ELO, chapter 3

+ reading log

Is language gendered? We will give particular focus to this—make note of examples from your own experience as well as key ideas from the reading regarding gender and language.

W  9/12

Extended Language (Language and/as Media)

Reading: ELO, chapter 4 

Note: no reading log is required, though I recommend you continue to use some form of it to interact with the reading and prepare for class discussion. I may give a brief quiz to review the reading from this week—you never know.

Focus on language as a medium. A particular concept and word we will focus on: rhetoric

F  9/14

Focal Point due

This is sem-formal writing: 2 pages, digital; you are turning it in to me, but it doesn’t need to be edited or finished (will be evaluated much as a reading log). It is a chance to begin exploring in writing some aspect of your language autobiography that is of interest and has connected thus far to the reading. Think of this as an initial draft for the first case study due next week.

M 9/17

Further Reading: The Writing System

CEL, chapter 18 (log not required)

Further reading into the extension of language in writing and print. No log required. Look for insight we can apply back to our discussion from chapter 4. though a log is not required, I will still expect you to come in ready to ask lots of questions about the parts that are confusing.

W 9/19

 Further reading and writing for case study

assignment for Wednesday: bring in an article/essay (something with an author attached, no random web pages—use a library database or a focused web search) that will help you delve further into the language autobiography. Write up a summary of the article (1 page): its basic focus and thesis; 2 or 3 key examples (with specifics—think potenial quotations); how this might connect to your case study; and as always, provide a basic citation [use citation monster if you like].

F  9/21

Case Study # 1 [Language Autobiography] due

 Submit to Blackboard Assignments by start of class

M  9/24

Old English

Reading: ELO chapter 5 [139-156]

+ reading log

W 9/26

Further Reading: Old English

CEL, chapter 3 (Old English)

F  9/28

Middle and Early Modern English

Reading ELO, finish chapter 5 [156-166]

+ reading log

M  10/1

 Further Reading: Middle English

CEL, chapter 4 + reading log

______

Instead of class, you will conference with me in my office: come in for follow-up questions on your first case study and the recent reading.

Key figure: Chaucer

Conference times:

Greg: 9.15

Luke: 9.20

Tyrel: 9.25

Audrey: 9.30

Phil: 9.35

Samantha: 9.40

Logan: 9.45

Adrianna: 9.50

Sarah: 9.55

Christine: 10

Kris: 10.05

Kelsey: 10.10

Misty: 10.15

W  10/3

Further Reading: Early Modern English

CEL, chapters 5 and 6

Key figure: Shakespeare

F  10/5

Midterm (large quiz)

Review of the material from the reading thus far.

M  10/8

 The Lexicon

CEL, chapters 8, 9 + reading log

W  10/10

Etymology

CEL, chapter 10 +

Online text: Evolution of English dictionaries

http://wiz.cath.vt.edu/hel/helmod/dicty.html

[Meet in the library (1st floor): we will begin researching for the case study]

F  10/12

Lexicography

CEL, chapters 11, 12

M  10/15

Further reading and writing: case study #2

 A draft of your case study is due (posted to Blackboard)

W  10/17

Case Study #2 [OED] due

F  10/19

No class: Fall break

M  10/22

Traditional Grammar

ELO, chapter 6 + reading log

W  10/24

Further Reading: Grammatical Mythology

CEL, chapter 13

F  10/26

Focal Point: exploration of a 'grammatical' issue: could be a part of speech, a usage or punctuation or spelling issue you have experienced, or been told you have issues with, something in 'grammar' you want to understand or do better. [2 pages, posted to Blackboard]

for example: pronouns (and specifically, agreeement), dangling modifiers, gerunds, commas (and splices), the semi-colon, that vs. which.

You will present to class a particular aspect of traditional grammar you have researched: your research should include the prescriptive rules for this particular aspect of (little g) grammar, some history to the issue that you have found, and finally your thoughts for presenting this 'grammar' issue in a more descriptive manner

M  10/29

Modern Grammars

ELO, chapter 7 + reading log

W  10/31

Further Reading: Word Classes

CEL, chapter 15 + review/finish reading from Monday as needed.

F  11/2

Further Reading: Chomsky + reading log.

An interview with Chomsky explaining some of his linguistic principles.

http://www.chomsky.info/interviews/1987----.htm

focus (in your notice) on the part that you are starting to grab--and delve into it; also, list questions you still have about this 'modern' approach to Grammar.

.

M  11/5

Comparative Grammars

ELO, chapter 8 [no log required]

W  11/7

Further Reading: Research + reading log. Find, read and summarize an article out in the field of some aspect of linguistics or language (the Big G) that you are considering for your third case study.

 do a log for the article you find, providing a brief summary, a particular part of the article that you noticed, and any questions it raised for you. What might you dig into for the case study? Remember that for web-based resources, an 'article' means there must be an author's name.

F  11/9

Language Variation

ELO, chapter 9 + reading log

M  11/12

Further Reading: Regional Variation

CEL, chapter 20 [298-317 required; can read whole chapter if you wish] + log

 Log required: what do you notice about variation--how is this different from the view of 'accent'?

W  11/14

 focus in on how linguists look at language variety--especially the case of African American Vernacular English.

F  11/16

Further Reading: Additional research for your case study + proposal.

 Your proposal (posted to Blackboard): 1-2 pages, must include a description of what you are researching, what issues/questions you are getting into, a  hypothesis or likely thesis; an annotated listing of 2-3 resources you have found thus far (annotation means full citation and 2-3 sentence description/summary of the resource). A longer summary (paragraph) of one main resource you will use (different from the last further reading)--what it gets into and how you plan to use it. For class, be prepared to articulate where you are going as well as ask questions of your fellow researchers for what you need help with.

M  11/19

Further Reading + reading log: "A Linguist Looks at the Ebonics Debate"

http://www.cal.org/topics/dialects/ebfillmo.html

What is the linguistic view of ebonics? Informed by this view, how do you view the debate?

W  11/21

No class: Thanksgiving

F  11/23

No class: Thanksgiving

M  11/26

Further Reading/Writing: Draft of your case study

 You will post a draft in progress of your research essay, should be at least 2 full pages

W  11/28

Personal Variation

CEL, chapter 22

F  11/30

Case Study #3 [Big G] due

M  12/3

Electronic Variation

CEL, chapter 23

W  12/5

Further Reading: bring in an article having something to do with language, of relevance to your final project. Summarize and present to class

F  12/7

[last class]

Final project workshop and review