Dr. Jean Lorrah
Faculty Hall 7B-15
Telephone (762) 4720
E-mail: jean.lorrah@murraystate.edu
Office Hours: MWF 8-8:30, 10:30-12:30
Tues. 9:30-1:00
Thurs. 9:30-12:00
Texts and References:
Thomas Pyles & John Algeo, The Origins and Development of the English Language, 4th ed.
John Algeo, Problems in the Origins and Development of the English Language, Compiled Edition
Use of a standard audio or video cassette recorder; two blank tapes. Regular size, not miniature tapes.
Description: A survey of the English Language from Old to Middle to Modern English.
Purpose: To teach you how language works, and how your own language originated and developed.
Prerequisite: Junior status.
Objectives: To understand the workings of language, which takes time and effort, but is extremely rewarding. We will cover only the basics of historical linguistics. You should leave this course with comprehension that will remain with you throughout life. Although we will get behind schedule, each QUIZ and EXAMINATION will always be given on the day assigned, but will cover only material that has been covered in class up to that day. You are responsible for information your instructor provides as well as for what is in the text.
Content Outline:
Week I, Aug. 27-Sept. 7, Ch. I, Language and Languages: An Introduction
Week II, Sept. 10-14, Ch. I.
Week III, Sept. 17-21, Ch. II, The Sounds and Spelling of Current English. QUIZ Wednesday.
Week IV, Sept. 24-28, Ch. II.
Week V, Oct. 1-5, Ch. IV, The Backgrounds of English.
(Skip Ch. III except for a few items your
instructor will assign) QUIZ Wednesday
Week VI, Oct. 8-12, Ch. IV. EXAMINATION Friday, Oct. 12.
Week VII, Oct. 15-19, Ch. V, The Old English Period.
Week VIII, Oct. 22-26, Ch. V.
Week IX, Oct. 29-Nov. 2, The Middle English Period. QUIZ Wednesday
Week X, Nov. 5-9, Ch. VI.
Week XI, Nov. 12-16, Ch. VII, The Modern Period to 1800: Sounds and Spellings. EXAMINATION Wednesday, Nov. 14.
Week XII, Nov. 19-30, Ch. VII. QUIZ Wednesday.
Week XIII, Dec. 3-7, Ch. VIII, The Modern Period to 1800: Forms and Syntax. PROJECT due Monday, Dec. 3.
Week XIV, 4/23-4/27, Ch. VIII.
Thursday, Dec. 13, 8:00-10:00am, FINAL EXAM
Instructional Activities: Reading, exercises, class discussion, lecture, drill.
Field, Clinical, and/or Laboratory Experiences: Term Project--Field Based Analysis
Resources: Videotapes, television, radio, books, films, personal interaction, course website. You will find links from the course website to Internet resources--and these will be added to any time I learn of new resources, from students or from any other source. Therefore the course website is a constantly growing source. Don’t abandon it after looking at it the first week of classes.
College of Humanities and Fine Arts Policy on Academic Integrity.
Makeup Policy: A DOCTOR MUST VERIFY your illness in order for you to make up a quiz or exam. Talk with me before you miss (not after) for any other reason, and we will make arrangements for you. Once the graded quiz or exam has been returned, obviously no one can make it up anymore.
Attendance Policy: We are all adults here. This is a heavily interactive course. Not coming to class will hurt your comprehension, and in the end, your grade. See makeup policy, above, for the problems you will cause yourself by cutting the day of a quiz or exam.
Office Hours: Your time. Come in and talk—you may also phone or e-mail. Get help on anything you don't understand. Look for me if I am not in my office during the times above; if I am chatting with a colleague you are not interrupting. If I am working with another student, you may have to wait a few minutes for your turn.
Grading Policy:
| 4 QUIZZES @ 20 POINTS | 80 | 390+=A | 210+=D | ||||
| 3 EXAMS @ 100 POINTS | 300 | 350+=B | BELOW 210=E | ||||
| TERM PROJECT@100 POINTS | 100 | 275+=C | |||||
| TOTAL POSSIBLE | 480 |
Arachnophilia.