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Students taking this course should read all
the material in this syllabus, as well as all the material on the right side
of the photograph on my home page.
Text:
Kolln, Martha and Robert Funk. Understanding English Grammar. Seventh Edition. New York: Pearson Education, 2006.
Description:
College
Grammar provides a thorough and fascinating study of the English language.
We will begin by providing a foundation for our understanding of the background
and development of English--from its Celtic, Germanic, Scandinavian, and Latin
sources through its transition to Middle and Modern English. After a brief
history of the language, we will focus on the structure of English.
We will begin our study with parts of speech (word categories), then progress to a study of phrases and
clauses and their functions. Along with the analaysis of words, phrases, and clauses, we will focus on the importance of punctuation,
and then explore the more sophisticated aspects of English usage and syntax--from
simple sentences to compound and complex variations of sentences. Included in these discussions will be the use of the active and passive voice, as well as the fundamentals of diagramming--from the traditional Reed-Kellogg method to the more contemporary use of tree diagrams.
This class will help students improve their understanding and knowledge of grammar and assist them in their efforts to become more effective speakers, writers, and editors of their work and the work of others. Language is a fascinating subject, and students will find that this course will be an enthusiastic exploration of how people communicate with one another, how the way they speak often has social and political implications--and how they make judgments based on speech. In other words, this will not be a dry course in English Grammar.
Prerequisites:
To enroll
for this course, students should have received a placement of English 111,
009 or higher on the English Placement Examination given at Northern Virginia
Community College. Students who have successfully completed a college-level course in Freshman
English--either at this college or another college or university--are also
eligible for enrollment. Naturally students who have earned a college degree
may enter the course. However, students do not need any previous background in the study
of grammar in order to do well in this course.
Course Objectives for students:
- to learn to recognize and employ appropriately the various levels of English usage--from the eight parts of speech to simple, compound, and complex sentences.
- to think logically and express themselves effectively in both speaking and writing
- to edit their writing and the writing of others
- to evaluate the content and intent of both spoken and written language
- to punctuate correctly
- to be knowledgeable about the development of the English language
- to appreciate the language that has become international in scope
- to be able to diagram sentences, in both the Reed-Kellogg and tree diagram format
Evaluation:
There
will be two types of evaluation: five written assignments that reflect your
understanding of the concepts of grammar and five objective tests that reflect
your knowledge of the text and the material presented in class.
There are links below the schedule of assignments that may help you understand some of the basics of grammar. All of the material is discussed more fully in the text, and will be discussed more fully in class, but I've summarized and, I hope, clarified these explanations.
The
Schedule for the Semester:
We will adhere to this schedule throughout the semester. When you come to the exercises in the text, please do not write them out. Look at them and make some notes about them in your text or in your notebook, but these are not to be submitted in writing. Rather, we will work together in class to solve the problems and to answer the questions posed by selected exercises. Don't allow the diagrams to confuse you. In class, we will provide a foundation for your understanding of them.
| 8/25 | Introduction--The Background and Development of English |
| 9/1 | Labor Day Holiday -- No Class |
| 9/8 | Chapters 1 and 2 |
| 9/15 | Chapter 3; assignment #1 due; Exam #1 on chapters 1and 2. Bring a scantron and a #2 pencil. |
| 9/22 | Chapter 3, continued; Chapter 4 |
| 9/29 | Chapter 4, continued; Chapter 5 |
| 10/6 | Chapter 5, continued; assignment #2 due; Exam #2 on Chapters 3, 4, and 5 |
| 10/13 | Fall Break -- No Class |
| 10/20 | Chapter 6 |
| 10/27 | Chapter 7 |
| 11/3 | Chapter 8; assignment #3 due; Exam #3 on Chapters 6 and 7 |
| 11/10 | Chapter 9 |
| 11/17 | Chapters 10 and 11; |
| 11/24 | Chapters 12 and 13; assignment #4 due; Exam #4 on Chapters 8, 9, and 10 |
| 12/1 | Chapter 13, continued |
| 12/8 | Chapters 14 and 15 |
| 12/15 | Assignment #5 due; Exam #5 on Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 |
For a quick review of the following in English grammar, follow the links below.
