English Grammar course syllabus

English Grammar
(Course Syllabus)
Objectives
English Grammar is a systematic and comprehensive survey of the structure of contemporary English language. The course will take a pedagogic perspective on grammar by drawing on the recent development in applied linguistics research. We will introduce students to a set of principles and rules that allow us to organize our words and sentences into coherent, meaningful language. This course will also be guided with an exploratory interest with an view to enabling students to apply grammar theories to linguistic facts and extract their personal theories from authentic lingusitic data. The course will also tough upon three issues which have profound impact on grammar theorization: language standardization, language change and langauge attitude. This course will be of interest not only to preservice language teachers but also to anyone who intends to involve language study or use in their life and profession such as linguists, journalists, lawyers.
➢Students shall be able to understand the grammar repertoires and apply them to analyze the structure and elements of English discourse.
➢Students shall be able to identify the ramifications for the ideas expressed through various grammatical concepts. For example, we will study the rhetorical effects of tenses, appositives, vocatives, and the passive voice.
➢Students shall be able to think critically over the explanatory power of grammar rules by relating them to the emerging novel linguistic phenomena. The study of English grammar shall also bear upon students’understanding of their mother language.
➢Students shall be able to make their personal contribution to the course through the practice in community. As individual participation is prerequisite for class discussion and group work, the course will be a stage for students to enhance students’ ability to co-participate in learning as a social life.
Contents
1) Words
Construe parts of speech in terms of their pronunciation, formation, and meaning.
2) Sentences
Elaborate the basic, compound and complex structures of English sentences and probe into the meanings of some syntactic structures such as subjunctive mood.
3) Discourse
Expound the fundamental features of genres, styles and rhetorics and relate it to their linguistic realization.
Instruction and Learning
1) Grammar repertoire
Reading and Presentation
2) Application in language use
Writing, translation and other forms of grammar exercises
3) Theorization
Instruction, discussion and presentation
Assessment
Participation 5%
Presentation 10%
Discussion 5%
Research 30%
Exam 50%。