Overview

Learning grammar is unlike learning any other subject in the curriculum. Why? Because if you're a native speaker of English, you're already an expert! However, this expertise is "innate"--it isn't conscious knowledge, but subconscious knowledge. In this class, you'll learn to consciously understand how your language works so you can enhance your own communication skills.

Making the transition from subconscious to conscious knowledge may not be easy. For one thing, whatever conscious knowledge you already have may actually be clouded by inaccuracies, even folklore. Since this class is based on research about how good speakers and writers actually use English, you may find it difficult because it is different from what you're used to.

For another, making the transition to conscious knowledge will require frequent practice. Because of this, you'll be expected to complete several assignments every week, and you'll be encouraged to complete additional practice exercises on your own.

Knowledge about grammar will help you as a writer or teacher in the same way that knowledge about physiology helps athletes and coaches.

Objectives:

By the end of the semester, you will be able to:

Use grammar terminology correctly
Analyze the grammatical structure of sentences within English texts, identifying various structures (e.g., prepositional phrases) and explaining their functions within the sentence
Locate specific grammar elements in real-world texts
Write texts that correctly use specific grammar elements
Demonstrate knowledge of how sentence-level grammar contributes to the coherence of paragraphs and texts
Understand and appreciate the natural variation that occurs in language across time, social situation, and social group, while recognizing the need for mastering Standard English

Assignments & Tests:

The information below gives an overview of how coursework will be scheduled. This information may change as the semester progresses. For current details about assignments and deadlines, please see the "Calendar" inside the course website. Work starts in the course on the very first class day of the semester.

Learning the technical material in this class will require frequent practice, which translates to a significant time commitment and numerous deadlines. Assignment deadlines will generally fall on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays or Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (in other words, expect 3 deadlines a week). If you expect your schedule to be irregular due to business trips or other commitments, you should be prepared to complete work in advance (for individual deadlines) and to work out equitable arrangements with your team (for team deadlines).

Every week, you'll complete:

A reading assignment
A quiz on the reading
An individual assignment
A team assignment

Some weeks, you'll also have the option of completing an extra credit assignment.

Your textbook and workbook contain additional exercises you can do on your own to enhance your understanding of the material.

During the semester, you'll take three tests:

A sentence patterns test
A midterm
A cumulative final exam

Your course grade will be based on completion of weekly assignments and test scores, using a 1000-point scale.

Grade:	Points needed:
A	931 - 1000
A-	900-930
B+	861-899
B	831-860
B-	800-830
C+	761-799
C	731-760
C-	700-730
D+	661-699
D	631-660
D-	600-630
F	below 600