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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, Latin, and Scandinavian sources through its transition to Middle and Modern English. After that review,
we will focus on the structure of the English language. We will begin with
the parts of speech, progress to a study of phrases and clauses and their
functions, discuss punctuation in relation to sentence structure, and then
explore the more sophisticated aspects of English usage and syntax--from simple
sentences to compound and complex sentences. This course will help students
improve their understanding and knowledge of grammar and assist students in
their efforts to become more effective speakers, writers, and editors of their
work and the work of others. However, I do want to say that taking a grammar course alone will not solve all the problems of writing. Students should know that the two ways to learn to write are as follows: reading voraciously and writing regularly. Studying grammar helps the writing process, but it is not a cure for it.
Language is a fascinating subject, and you will find that this course will be an enthusiastic exploration of how we humans communicate with one another, how the way we speak often has social and political implications--and how we make judgments based on the way we speak. In other words, this will not be a dry course in English Grammar.
Prerequisites
To enroll
in 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 course in Freshman
English--either at this college or another college--are also eligible for
enrollment. Naturally students who have earned a college degree may enter
the course. However, no one needs any formal background in the study of grammar
to enroll in English 139.
Course Objectives for Students
- to learn to recognize and employ appropriately the various levels of English usage
- 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
Academic Honesty
The college policy of academic honesty stipulates that when independent work is required—for instance, on written work, quizzes, and exams —each student will do his or her own work within the boundaries that I set. See my web site on "Plagiarism" for clarification of how the honor code of academic honesty applies to your written work. For quizzes and exams, each of you will refrain from using the assistance of textbooks, notes, or other students to help you with the work. Failure to adhere to this code will cause a breach in the healthy academic environment of trust that I wish to foster in this course. From the outset, you should know that I take any form of academic dishonesty seriously. According to college policy, as stated in the Student Handbook 2007-2009, page 79, an instructor has the option of assigning "any grade penalty the instructor might, in appropriate cases, impose." It is my policy to assign the course grade of F for academic dishonesty. Your continuing in this class will tell me that you abide by this honor code as I have set it forth here, as it appears in the Student Handbook, and as it is described in the above-mentioned link on "Plagiarism."
Evaluation
There
will be two types of evaluation: objective tests that reflect your knowledge
of the text and the material presented in class and written assignments that reflect your understanding
of the concepts of grammar the textbook and class discussions cover. The five tests--each worth one hundred points--will account for five-sixths
of your grade. The five written assignments--each
worth twenty points-- will account for approximately one-sixth of your grade.
The Schedule of Classes and the Readings for Each
| 7/2 | Introduction--The Background and Development of English |
| 7/7 | Chapters 1, 2, 3 |
| 7/9 | Chapters 3 (continued) Assignment 1 due. Click here. Test #1, on chapters 1 and 2 Bring a scantron and a number 2 pencil. |
| 7/14 | Chapter 4, 5 |
| 7/16 | Chapter 4, 5 (continued), Assignment #2 due. Test 2, on chapter 3, 4, and 5 |
| 7/21 | Chapters 6 |
| 7/23 | Chapter 6 (continued), Chapter 7 |
| 7/28 | Chapters 8 and 9; Assignment #3; Test 3, on chapters 5, 6, and 7 |
| 7/30 | Chapters 9 (continued), 10, 11 |
| 8/4 | Chapters 12; Assignment #4 due. Test 4, on chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 |
| 8/6 | Chapters 13, 14, and 15 |
| 8/11 | Chapter 15 (continued), Chapter 16; Assignment #5; Test 5, on Chapters 13, 14, 15, and 16 |
For a review of the topics listed below, follow these links:
- A Brief History of the English Language
- Parts of Speech
- Words, Phrases, and Clauses
- Sentence Structure
- The Functions of Words
- The Subject of a Sentence