ENG 325 Grammar and Usage Online

 

Credits: 3
Estimated Enrollment per Offering: 60 Students

 

Outcomes

Demonstrate traditional grammar.
    * Label and explain parts of speech within sentences.
    * Demonstrate descriptive and prescriptive grammars through traditional and structural grammar.
Demonstrate structural grammar.
    * Diagram sentences reflecting the ten major sentence patterns.
    * Demonstrate descriptive and prescriptive grammars
Demonstrate Edited American English
Demonstrate basic editing skills.
Demonstrate understanding of significant events in the evolution of British, American, and global English.
     * Identify significant events in the evolution of British, American, and global English.

 

Description

Theory and Practice of Language—Grammar and Usage is a required sophomore/junior level course for all English majors.   This class assumes students already know the English language because they are native speakers and are comfortable with language arts—they speak and write sentences grammatically well. Martha Kolln and Robert Funk claim, “Knowing a language and knowing about a language are two very different kinds of knowledge.”  On the other hand, this class also assumes students are less familiar about English and are uncertain how to discuss what makes those sentences grammatical. Therefore, the focus of this class is to help English majors understand and feel more comfortable with the terminology, principles, issues, and applications of language in their everyday lives.

English 325 has the following major components:

- Grammar. We will focus on traditional and structural grammar (diagramming). Grammar allows us to identify sentence structures, their individual parts, and their relationships. Cindy Vitto’s Grammar by Design is our grammar text. Quiz for each chapter—20 points each (260 points)

- Mechanics. We will review traditional mechanics and punctuation rules such as subject/verb agreement and commas. Eight quizzes—10 points each and one exam (180 points)

- Personal Grammar Workbook. Each student will create a personal grammar workbook with rules/explanations, exercises, and answers. These will be evaluated in your groups each week (150 points)

- Editing Portfolio. We will apply principles of grammar and mechanics through editing exercises to demonstrate Edited American  English. (100 points)

- Language History. We will gain an overview understanding of events, nations, and individuals influencing the development of the English language. Quiz for every two chapters—15 points each (180 points)

 

Learning Model Architecture

You will be expected to prepare for each week by reading and reviewing the assigned materials (readings from your textbook, online readings, and online presentations). You will have many opportunities to teach one another in the discussion boards where you will provide feedback on workbook pages. You will have chances to ponder and prove the things you learn through online quizzes, online exercises, and discussion board feedback.

 

Books

 

• Bragg, Melvyn. The Adventure of English: The Biography of a Language. New York: Arcade, 2004.
• Vitto, Cindy L. Grammar by Diagram.  2nd ed.  Buffalo, NY: Broadview Press, 2006. 
• A college desk dictionary recommended

 

Course Tools

• Wiki
• Discussion Board
• Grade Center