E-mail: jean.lorrah@murraystate.edu

Visit the 309 Class Website.

Visit Dr. Lorrah's Website.

Texts and References:

Thomas Pyles & John Algeo, The Origins and Development of the English Language, 4^th ed.
        Handouts from John Algeo, Problems in the Origins and Development of the English Language
        Use of a standard audio or video cassette recorder; two blank tapes. Regular size, not miniature tapes.
        Internet access (free in campus labs) and an hour or two per week to access Blackboard.

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. 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:

        Part I, Aug. 20-Sept. 29: Definitions, Themes, Language, Writing, Grammar/Syntax, Dictionaries

		QUIZ Wednesday, Sept. 3
		QUIZ Wednesday, Sept. 17

        Part II, Oct. 1-29, OED Exercises, Phonetics, Sound Changes

		EXAM Wednesday, Oct. 1
		QUIZ Wednesday, Oct. 29

        Part III, Oct. 31-Dec. 5 The History of English, Language Families and Relationships

		EXAM Wednesday, Nov. 12
		TERM PROJECT due Monday, Nov. 24

        Monday, Dec. 8, 8:00am, 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.

Blackboard: There is a link from my website to the entrance to Blackboard. Bookmark or make a favorite of both these pages. To log in for the first time, type your first initial and last name plus the last four digits of your social security number in this format: jsmith1234. Use the last four digits of your social security number as your password. Once you have gotten in, immediately change your password. If you had a class on Blackboard last semester, try the password you used then. Click on English 309 and explore the site.

Academic Honesty Policy

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: 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. Otherwise, your grade drops ten points for every unexcused absence over three.

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:

		3 QUIZZES @ 20 POINTS		60		375+=A		200+=D
		3 EXAMS @ 100 POINTS		300		335+=B		BELOW 200=E
		TERM PROJECT@100 POINTS		100		265+=C
		TOTAL POSSIBLE		460

Exception: Any student scoring 100 points (a perfect score) on the FINAL EXAMINATION will receive an A for the course, no matter how many points that student had going into the final. Hard as this material is, there are always A's in the course--but only once has a student earned an A by making 100 points on the final

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