Missouri Western State University
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of English, Foreign Languages and Journalism

ENG 473/573-01: History of the English Language
Section 01 - W 5:30-8:20 -  Murphy 106
Fall 2008

Instructor: Dr. Donaher
Office: Eder Hall 222 L
Office Hours: T 9-11:00 am; TR 1-2:00 pm; and W 2-3:00 pm; and by appointment
Phone: 816-271-5964
Email: donaher@missouriwestern.edu
URL: http://staff.missouriwestern.edu/users/donaher

Course Philosophy and Objectives

The history of the English Language focuses on the influence of historical and cultural developments on the language; the changes that have occurred in inflection, syntax, spelling, and lexicon; the ways in which English and all languages experience spontaneous internal changes of pronunciation; and the importance of language attitudes in shaping language and language policy. The history of the English Language is also the history of how foreign languages, particularly those in the Indo-European language family like Latin, French, and German, have influenced English.

Because this course is specifically geared to prepare the education major for classroom language issues, there is an emphasis on the practical application of history and theory to the classroom. If you are not an education major, ask about alternate project assignments that are more reflective of your interests in the history of language. I am happy to accommodate all linguistic interests.

Over the course of the semester, we will

Required Materials

Required Texts:

Strongly Recommended Text:

Other:

Assignments

Daily Assignments, But No Quizzes
We will do a variety of exercises in and out of class with the American Heritage College Dictionary, do handouts associated with our texts, practice some library research, utilize  the internet, and dance around the room singing silly songs. OK, maybe not dance. These activities will highlight the important points from our readings, help your write your papers and create lesson plans for your classes, and provide you with plenty of answers for playing Jeopardy. I would like to avoid quizzes at all costs, so please don't tempt me to give them. (Temptation arises when no one discusses the material, volunteers answers to questions, or laughs at my jokes--weak as they may be.) 

Papers, Projects, and Teaching Materials
We will complete two (three for ENG 573) projects, which will grow organically (I hope) out of our daily readings and assignments:

Final Exam? Not on your life; however
Your Conventions Project is due during the final exam hour. Come prepared to share your decisions about conventions and copies of your sample assignments.

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 projects. In addition, the percentage of the daily work that you complete and your efforts at participation will determine your final grade. Daily assignment points will be rolled into and assessed for/against whatever project assignment we are currently working on. Therefore, it is important to complete as many of these small assignments as possible, as they can enhance your final grade considerably, or conversely, take away from your overall project grade. Quizzes, if given, will be weighed with/against the current project grade.

 

ENG 473 Final Grade Distribution is as follows:

ENG 573 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 one absence to be reasonable, but keep in mind that any absence can affect your final grade, as you are not here to participate or turn in your work. Chronic lateness will count toward this total. My general policy is to grant excused absences for documented personal emergencies (i.e. illness, family death, personal crisis) and acts of nature (i.e. potentially hazardous snow/ice conditions). Advance notice, if possible, is desirable; however, documentation is due no later than the next class period after your return to class. It would be extremely helpful to convey information about your situation to me via email before your return so that I can send you any relevant work due upon your return since you are responsible for the upcoming class work even if you missed the previous class.

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 unless you have a well-documented emergency.

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 in person by a secretary, a fellow instructor, or by the Lab Manager--NOT by 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 oral contributions you make and your efforts to be a part of our discourse community. Preparation includes doing the daily readings and assignments, 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 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 University 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. Therefore, no daily work will be accepted late and without a well-documented emergency. The projects have a grace period of NO MORE THAN 24 hours from the due date/time for technical difficulties. After 24 hours, papers will be discounted 10% for each 24 hour period late, including weekends.  No work will be accepted after 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 some of our created materials and papers to WebBoard so that we may more fully share our ideas and increase our interchanges. Project materials for this course must be word processed in MSWord.

    University Academic Honesty Policy and Due Process

    Academic honesty is required in all academic endeavors. Violations of academic honesty include any instance of plagiarism, cheating, seeking credit for another’s work, falsifying documents or academic records, or any other fraudulent activity. Violations of academic honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment, failure in the course, or expulsion from the University. When a student’s grade has been affected, violations of academic honesty will be reported to the Provost or designated representative on the Academic Honesty Violation Report forms.

    Please see the 2006-07 Student Handbook and Calendar on page 21 for specific activities identified as violations of this policy and the student due process procedure. This handbook is also available online at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf

    Course Policy on Academic Honesty

    . . . 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 your own original work. Projects with evidence of plagiarism, intentional or not, will receive a zero and will result in failure of the course. Students who cheat on other assignments will receive zero for that activity and the deception may result in failure of the course. Further, all incidents of academic dishonesty will be reported to the the Provost as required by the official University policy and may result in additional consequences for the student.

    Final Thoughts
    Despite Einstein's assurances that even the motions of dust motes have pattern, life to us mere mortals is unpredictable. 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, you need to come see me.

    Course Schedule

    August 27

    September 3

    September 10

    September 17

    September 24

    October 1

    October 8

    October 15

    October 22

    October 29

    November 5

    November 12

    November 19

    December 3

    December 10