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Missouri Western State College ENG
373: History of the English Language |
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Instructor: Dr. Donaher
Office: Eder Hall (aka SS/C) 222 L
Office Hours: 9:30-11:30 and 1:30-2:00 TTh and
by appointment
Phone: 816-271-5964
Email: donaher@missouriwestern.edu
URL:
http://staff.missouriwestern.edu/~donaher
Course Philosophy and Objectives
This course focuses on the history of the English Language, including the influence of historical and cultural developments and the changes in inflections, syntax, phonology, spelling, and lexicon that have occurred.
Over the course of the semester, we will
Required Materials
Textbook:
Other:
Assignments
Daily Assignments and
Quizzes
You should expect to read about one chapter per week
from our textbook and answer questions about that reading. We will also do a
variety of exercises in and out of class. These activities will highlight the
important points from our readings and will help you prepare for the final
exam. I would like to avoid quizzes at all costs, so please don't tempt me to
give them. (Temptations arise when no one discusses the material, volunteers
answers to my questions, or laughs at my jokes--weak as they are.)
Papers
We will write two papers for this course:
· Etymology Paper
· Parody or Humorous Essay on Aspect of HEL
Final
Exam
The Final Exam will contain two parts: a
knowledge portion drawn from the readings, films, lectures, activities,
discussion, and a short essay portion. You will be given some indication on a
day-to-day basis of the kinds of knowledge you will need to retain for the
final exam, as well as a study guide late in the semester to help you prepare
for the knowledge portion of the exam. The best preparation, though, comes
daily, by taking good notes and by reviewing those notes often. You will also
be given the essay questions to prepare in advance, and you may choose the
questions you feel most comfortable responding to.
Have Fun
And I mean it. Let's make history come alive in
this class and have fun with the fascinating bits of language lore that we
uncover. Be adventurous.
Grading
In order to pass the course, you must complete the papers and do well on the final exam. In addition, the percentage of the daily work that you complete and your efforts at participation will determine your final grade.
Your Final Grade Distribution is as follows:
Other Requirements
Attendance and
Promptness
Attendance is mandatory. School functions,
illness, and personal crisis do not absolve you from your classroom
obligations, so while due consideration is given to the student struck by
lightening on the way to class, an absence cannot be designated as
"excused" or "unexcused"--it simply "is." I
consider two absences to be reasonable; absences beyond two will affect your
final grade, as you are not here to participate or turn in your work. Chronic
lateness will count toward this total.
Regular attendance is an essential part of the student's educational experience and a requirement for an adequate evaluation of student academic progress. You are responsible for material covered or assignments given which you missed because of absence. All out-of-class assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. No late assignments are accepted, except as noted below.
You should note, however, that mere attendance does not mean you will pass the course. You must perform adequately on the tasks required and show initiative in completing the course requirements.
If I should be unable to meet class, you will be notified by a secretary, fellow instructor, or a note on the classroom door. Be sure to note any assignments due upon my return.
Participation And
Preparation
You will be expected to make significant
contributions to the class in the form of participation and preparation.
Participation includes the contributions you make to class discussion and the
effort you make to be a part of our discourse community. Preparation includes
doing the daily readings as assigned, as well as engaging exuberantly in our
activities. Keep in mind that live classroom discussion
· gives you practice arguing with others respectfully and professionally
· gives you opportunities to formulate applications of principles
· gives you prompt feedback on difficult or confusing issues and material
· increases your retention of material through explaining, summarizing, and questioning.
Sharing
Your Work
Students are expected to share their writings
and other work with members of the course and, therefore, should not choose to
write on topics they consider of a sensitive nature. Further, all work that a
student produces may be shared by the instructor with the class for purposes of
example and training. Such work will be as anonymous as possible. Finally, the
instructor may share your work anonymously with future classes or in her own
writing and research.
Classroom Courtesy
You are expected to be courteous and respectful
in all of their exchanges with the instructor and other students. We, as
students of language, should be particularly careful to note how tone and
language contribute to the overall impression of our words. The college expects
all students to conduct themselves so as to maintain an effective environment
for learning, to act responsibly in accordance with good taste, and to respect
fully the rights of others.
Student Disability
Any student in this course who has a disability
that prevents the fullest expression of abilities should contact me during the
first week so that we can discuss class requirements.
Late Work
All assignments are due at the beginning of the
hour on the due date, unless otherwise specified. Learning is a cumulative
process and each assignment in this course is designed to build on the last
assignment; therefore, late work disrupts this important aspect of the learning
process. Except for the two papers, no late work will be accepted. Papers will
not be discounted if turned in within 24 hours of the due date. Otherwise, they
will be discounted one letter grade for every day past the due date. No work
will be accepted after the last class day before the final exam.
Computer Usage
You will be called upon to read materials
online, use Webboard, and to use computers in and outside of class time. We
will post our papers to Webboard to facilitate sharing. Further, the final
papers and portfolio for this course must be word processed.
Plagiarism
. . . it is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. -- Herman Melville
Plagiarism is literally the stealing of others' words and ideas and using them as your own. Make every effort to give credit where credit is due, and if you are not sure of "how"--ask. You are responsible for proving that all work turned in for grading is their own original work. Papers with evidence of plagiarism will receive a zero and will result in failure of the course.
Final Thoughts
Life is unpredictable--at least it appears so. I
recognize that at times your outside life may interfere with your classroom
life. It is up to you to set your priorities and to realize that "doing it
all" is not always possible or even desirable. If you are feeling overly
stressed about all you have to accomplish, come see me. If I understand what is
going on in your life, I can more easily help you achieve your goals.
Course Schedule
English Present and Future
August
26 (T)
Syllabus and Introduction to the Course
28 (Th)
Chapter 1, "English Present and Future"
September
The Indo-European Family of Languages
2 (T)
Chapter 2, "The
Indo-European Family of Languages"
Assign Etymology Paper
4 (Th)
Chapter 2 continued
Old English
9 (T)
Chapter 3 "Old English"
11 (Th)
Chapter 3 continued
16 (T)
Chapter 3 continued
Foreign Influences on Old
English
18 (Th)
Chapter 4 "Foreign Influences on Old English"
23 (T)
Chapter 4 continued
The Norman Conquest and the Subjection of English, 1066-1200
25 (Th)
Chapter 4 "The Norman Conquest and the Subjection of English, 1066-1200"
30 (T)
Chapter 4 continued
The Reestablishment of
English, 1200-1500
October
2 (Th)
Chapter 6 "The Reestablishment of English, 1200-1500
7 (T)
Chapter 6 continued
Middle English
9 (Th)
Chapter 7 "Middle English"
14 (T)
Etymology Paper Due
Chapter 7 continued
16 (Th)
Chapter 7 continued
The Renaissance, 1500-1650
21 (T)
Chapter 8 "The
Renaissance, 1500-1650"
Assign Parody of Humorous Essay
on Aspect of HEL
23 (Th)
Chapter 8 continued
28 (T)
Chapter 8 continued
Appeal to Authority, 1650-1800
30 (Th)
Chapter 9 "Appeal to Authority, 1650-1800"
November
4 (T)
Chapter 9 continued
The Nineteenth Century and After
6 (Th)
Chapter 10 "The Nineteenth Century and After"
11 (T)
Chapter 10 continued
13 (Th)
Chapter 10 continued
The English Language in America
18 (T)
Chapter 11 "The English Language in America"
20 (Th)
Chapter 11 continued
25 (T)
Chapter 11 continued
25 (Th)
Thanksgiving Holiday
December
2 (T)
Chapter 11 continued
Work Day
4 (Th)
Parody or Humorous
Essay on Aspect of HEL Due
Review for Final Exam
9 (T)
Final Exam 2:00-3:50 pm