ENG 3610:101
Studies in the Principles of Language

Credit | Time & Place | Overview | Goals | Texts | Instructor
Assignments | Examinations | Grading | Attendance Policy | Academic Integrity


Credit Hours: 3 hours. Required for the English B.S. degree and some education concentrations. Upper-level credit for the English B.A.

Meeting Time and Place: Tuesday-Thursday, 12:30-1:45, 102 Sanford.

Course Description: An introduction to theories of language structure, language acquisition, and the functions of language within a cultural setting, with particular emphasis on semantics.

Course Overview: Language is a human tool for communication, perception, and understanding. ENG 3610 introduces students to the methods and terms of linguistics, the scientific study of language. Mr. McGowan's section will focus on basic language structures, the social dimensions of language and its use, and ideas about orality, literacy, and language in current political discussion and popular culture. We'll supplement the basic course text, Macaulay'sThe Social Art: Language and Its Uses, with a set of readings in other texts on reserve, handouts, video showings, and webpages from the Internet.

An important part of our course will be learning to use library and computer resources. Sometimes we'll move class to Belk Library's reference section and computer classroom. You'll need to become comfortable sending and receiving e-mail on Appalachian's computer system and moving around the World Wide Web.

Objectives: By completing assignments and participating in classes and small group sessions, students will be able
• to describe the conventional and arbitrary nature of language forms and structures
• to use linguistic symbols, terms, and methodologies to explain the structures and social uses of spoken and written English
• to recognize and describe varieties of English and understand the cultural implications of the development of "standard" English forms
• to interpret texts providing linguistic descriptions and theories about English and its varieties
• to demonstrate skills in writing and speaking about language, its structure, and its social uses
• to use the OED and other descriptive dictionaries to research synchronic and historical information and apply the CD-ROM version of the OED to such research
• to use computer resources for communication and research, including e-mail, the Internet, and CD-ROM materials.

Assignments: For sections of the course, the instructor publishes reading and exercise assignments. The date of an assignment means you should complete it for that class. Extra copies of the assignment sheets are available in University computer labs on the S-drive Classdat folder>McGowan>Eng3610>assg.

Methods of Teaching:
At the start of each section of the course, the assignments sheet will publish specific topics for each class and basic requirements. In writing and research assignments you will apply course methods and concepts; instructions for these will include attention to professional writing conventions and computer word processing helps.

Classes will mix lecture, discussion, problem solving, and video presentations. We shall use the OED in its on-line version and other computer resources to research language history. Our class speech community will also use e-mail and a WebCT discussion forum for dialog, requests for help, and extra information.

Grading and Requirements:
Course grade will be based on achievements in the following requirements:

Examination Dates:

Attendance Policy:
Woody Allen has said, "Eighty percent of success is showing up"; Thomas McGowan adds, "The other twenty percent is following the directions." Because this course studies difficult ideas and much of its material builds on earlier concepts, you need to attend class faithfully. Often class becomes an opportunity to clarify and simplify (or at least specify) important concepts from the reading, and repetition and application of concepts are important instructional strategies. The instructor picks up exercises at the start of class; late submissions receive penalty grades. Examinations cover reading and class material; the final exam demands some comprehensive knowledge. Excessive absences (more than three classes) will seriously affect your participation grade.

Plagiarism, Intellectual Dishonesty, & Collaboration
Passing off another person's work as your own is unacceptable in college (and in life), and in this course, such practices will receive grading penalties, usually an F or zero on the assignment. You may work with others in doing short assignments, but you must submit your own version of the assignment. Don't let another person copy your work, but do work with each other to make work more meaningful. Cheating on an examination or plagiarism on a major paper will merit automatic failure in the course on the grounds of unsatisfactory completion of work and violation of the relationship of members in a college learning community. Mr. McGowan will apply Appalachian's review procedures to cases of intellectual dishonesty that he considers egregious.

Texts

Instructor:
Thomas McGowan
121 Sanford, 262-2323.
Office hours: MWF 8-9 and 10-11; Tuesday-Thursday 8:30-11. At other times by opportunity or appointment. (Mr. McGowan is often in his office and is usually willing to talk even if your visit is outside of official office hours.)
E-mail: mcgowanta@appstate.edu. Mr. McGowan checks his e-mail at the start and end of the workday. He tries to answer e-mail promptly. This service is an excellent way to ask questions.
Homepage: This website lists more instructor information and provides links to other course webpages.

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