COURSE SYLLABUS

ENG 505: Introduction to Linguistics 4 Credits Online Spring Term 2010, April 12-June 30 (Holiday: Memorial Day-May 31) Last Updated: February 18, 2010

This course prepares learners for meaningful literacy instruction through the study of language, language acquisition, the study of sounds and sound formation, word formation, and how words combine into larger meaningful units. Learners develop an awareness of the prescriptive standardization of such language forms as spelling, semantics, pronunciation, and style or register. Basic components of descriptive grammar, to include syntax, semantics, phonology, and morphology are addressed. Students develop an appreciation for regional and ethnic dialects and examine how language changes and develops over time.

ENG500 The Writing Process

Learners will:

1. describe the stages of oral language development to include sound production, sentence structure, and vocabulary development.
2. evaluate the impact that social, cultural, psychological, and economic factors have on language and literacy development.
3. categorize vowel and consonant phonemes based on sound and physical characteristics.
4. examine the major components of oral and written language.
5. illustrate the contribution of vernacular and standard dialects to oral and written communication.
6. propose changes in language use that may be varied according to audience.
7. demonstrate an understanding of semantics and the grammatical structure of the English language and the ways in which these conventions have changed over time.
8. compare and contrast the Prescriptive and Descriptive approaches to grammar instruction.
9. analyze and explain the spelling patterns of words.
10. discuss how language changes and develops over time.

Textbook(s):

• Contemporary Linguistics, William O'Grady, John Archibald, Mark Aronoff, Janie Rees-Miller, 6th Ed., Bedford St. Martin’s, ISBN (10-digit) 0312555288 and (13-digit) 978-0312555283.

Textbooks are available via GSC's online bookstore, MBS Direct at: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/gsc.htm (The course-CRN number for ordering this textbook is: ENG505-30244). Textbooks can also be purchased from MBS via phone, mail or fax. For additional information, visit the Online Bookstore section of the college web site.

PLEASE NOTE: It is the learner's responsibility to have purchased all required course materials before the start of the course. Learners are expected to meet all course expectations even if the shipment of a required textbook or other learning resource is delayed. Be sure to choose the shipping option that will get your text/resource delivered in a timely manner.

Other Class Materials:

We will be using resources from the following sites: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/linguistics6e/ and http://web.ku.edu. Students will need the technical capability to listen to mp3 audio files.

Supplemental course readings will be available via links to library resources from our class forum.

There are no face-to-face sessions for this course. If you have never taken an Online Interactive Course (OIC) at the college, we highly recommend that you attend one of the 2-hour Blackboard Orientation sessions available throughout the state. If you choose not to attend a face-to-face session, you are encouraged to complete the Online Orientation with audio at your own convenience.

Participation. As a student in this course, you will be expected to participate in the course discussion forum at least three days per week. Some of the material may be unfamiliar and challenging, so we will use the discussion forum to work through questions and explore the new concepts. Because some of the material relates to the sounds of language, we will sometimes use multimedia resources from the publisher’s link above.

Late work. Late work will be assigned a penalty of 10% per day and will not be accepted five days past the due date.

Class atmosphere. We all bring different points of view to the class. My hope is that we will be able to disagree or challenge differing viewpoints with courtesy and professionalism. Because meaning can be misinterpreted easily in the online format, please take special care in your choice of words and assume positive intentions on everybody’s part.

In addition to participation and response to the weekly discussion question, there will be an assignment due nearly all weeks of the course. Assignments include evaluations/analyses of speaking or writing, transcriptions, open-book quizzes, and a PowerPoint presentation. Two assignments will be completed in small groups. You will also write one 4-5 page paper. At the end of the course, there will be an open-book final exam that you will have three days to complete.

Course Schedule & Topics

Granite State College has a Virtual Library (http://www.granite.edu/current-students/virtual-library/) available 24/7 with access to the full-text of thousands of journals and professional periodicals, an online Reference Room, selected Internet resources, writer’s resources, research and citation help, and a collection of tutorials. The databases are password protected.

See GSC Library tab in MyGranite for username and password. In addition, the Library Info link in the course menu provides direct links to research databases, Research FAQs and more.

Academic assistance to students is available at GSC Centers at no additional charge in such areas as basic skills preparation in reading, writing and math; study skills and research and citation help. Academic Resources staff members work closely with faculty and students toward academic success. A whole range of tools is available, including study and time management tips, APA and MLA citation assistance, access to learning resources online, and feedback on course writing projects. To contact an Academic Resource and Information Coordinator, see the Academic Resource Link on the Resources page in the course menu or go directly to http://bbresources.granite.edu/course_docs/acad_resources.htm.

For assistance with issues related to accessing the MyGranite portal, GSC email, Webrock, online courses or other technical issues related to any of the Blackboard tools, please visit the GSC Technical Assistance Center (http://bbresources.granite.edu/techassist/help.htm) for answers to the most frequently asked questions or to submit an online help request form. Or call 1-888-372-4270 (Hours: M-F, 8:30-5:00, messages checked twice daily on weekends. Extended hours for the week before start of the term and first week of the term: M-Th, 8:00-7:00.)

Granite State College will provide qualified individuals with disabilities the same educational opportunities available to persons without disabilities. When an individual's documented disability creates a barrier to educational opportunities, the College will attempt reasonable accommodation to remove the barrier. If you need assistance, we recommend that you make contact early to ensure that your requests can be reviewed prior to the start of each term. If you wish to apply for accommodations, contact your academic advisor or the Dean of Learner Services in Concord. See the complete Granite State College policy in the current college catalog for further details.

An academic community is based on honesty and integrity. Plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of academic dishonesty are not acceptable at Granite State College. Faculty and students have a joint responsibility to ensure the integrity of learning.

All work that you submit must be your own except in those instances when your instructor gives specific permission to collaborate. When quoting, summarizing or explaining ideas that are based on another's work, whether in print or online, make sure to cite references appropriately. Plagiarism is using another's words or even paraphrasing another's work without giving proper credit through the use of citations.

For Granite State College's complete academic honesty policy, see the current college catalog.

Membership in society implies minimal norms for civil behavior towards one another. It is Granite State College’s expectation that all members of our college community treat faculty, staff, and fellow learners with respect. Learners need to be knowledgeable of and comply with college policies. Each individual is accountable for his/her actions and for the consequences of any behavior that is inconsistent with these values and expectations.

Assessment is an ongoing process that enables the College to improve its programs, courses, and teaching methods. Institutional evaluation may be embedded in tests, exams, and other measurements of student learning. As members of a learning community, students, faculty, and staff will be expected to participate in the important process of assessment on occasion. Confidentiality of any data that identify participants is maintained.