SSST - Survey of English Grammar 1

Survey of English Grammar 1

Faculty of Modern Languages

Department of English

Programme(s) where module is offered

BA English and Applied Studies

Status (core, option, free choice)

Core

FHEQ Level

Unit Value

7 ECTS

Semester taught

Autumn

Pre-Requisite Modules or Qualifications

None

Module Code

ELANG 101

Module coordinator

Nadira Aljovic, PhD

Applicable From

2012

Educational Aims of the Module

LANG 101 is the first part of a foundation course in English grammar, designed to give students a thorough understanding of the basic word classes in English, their morphological and syntactic properties, without going into great length about phrases and clauses, their forms and functions.
Furthermore, the course will give clear indications as to the particular problems non-native speakers (especially Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) of English experience in the use of English. Lastly, certain aspects of linguistic description, relevant for foreign language learning, will also be introduced (such as a descriptive approach in linguistics, concepts of language competence and language use), which will help the students put this course in the perspective of modern language study.
Due to its all-encompassing nature, the course is divided into two sections i.e. ELANG 101 and ELANG 102 in the autumn and spring semesters of Year 1 respectively.
This dual course will be complemented by ELANG 110, ELANG 120 and ELANG 130- proficiency, academic writing and basic translation courses aimed at solidify the detailed grammar overview provided by ELANG 101 and 102.

Module Outline/Syllabus

Negatives and Questions. Polarity items.
Non-Finites - Infinitives, Gerunds, Participles, and Absolutes. Distribution. Finite Verb + NonfiniteVerb Constraints. Complementation.
Adverbs – Formation, Position in a Sentence, Comparison. Common pitfalls.
Prepositions - Overview of prepositions, with special emphasis on common prepositions and transfer problems, and verb + preposition collocations
Complex Sentences – Coordination and Subordination. A brief overview of coordinators, subordinators, subordinate clauses, their types and functions.
Abbreviating Sentences. Ellipsis and Pro-forms.
A Taste of Theoretical Syntax. Some claims on syntactic theory (de Saussure, Chomsky, Generative Grammar (labelled bracketing and syntactic trees, HPSG, Feature Theory etc.)– per instructor's decision.
Grammar in the Schools. – Overview of methods of teaching grammar.

Student Engagement Hours

Type	Number per Term	Duration	Total Time
Lectures	15	2 hours	30 hours
Tutorials	15	3 hours	45 hours
Total Guided/Independent Learning Hours			100
Total Contact Hours			75
Total Engagement Hours			175

Assessment Method Summary

Type	Number Required	Duration / Length	Weighting	Timing / Submission Deadline
Exam	1	3 hrs	50%	End of semester
Midterm Test	1	2 hrs	25%	Mid-semester
Subject tests and assignments	3	Tests app. 1.5 hrs each	25%	Weeks 4 and 13

Module Outcomes

Teaching and Learning Strategy:

Presentations by the module convenor. (ILO: 1-4)
Practical classes (seminars) that review course presentations, and include group discussions. (ILO: 1-4)
Exercises, readings and assignments as a follow-up to course presentations, or as part of seminars. (ILO: 1-4)
Individual consultations with students as needed. (ILO: 1-4)
Presentations by the module convenor. (PS: 1-4)
Practical classes (seminars) that review course, and include group discussions. (PS: 1-4)
Exercises, readings and assignments as a follow-up to course presentations, or as part of seminars. (PS: 1-4)
Individual consultations with students as needed. (PS: 1-4)
Practical classes (seminars) that review course, and include group discussions. (TS: 1-4)
Exercises, readings and assignments as a follow-up to course presentations, or as part of seminars. (TS: 1-4)
Individual consultations with students as needed. (TS: 1-4)

Assessment Strategy

Midterm - 25%(ILO: 1-4)
Other coursework (Assignments and quizzes) - 25% (ILO: 1-4)
Final Exam – 50% (ILO: 1-4)
Midterm - 25% (PS: 1-4)
Other coursework (Assignments and quizzes) - 25% (PS: 1-4)
Final Exam – 50% (PS: 1-4)
Midterm - 25% (TS: 1-4)
Other coursework (Assignments and quizzes) - 25%(TS: 1-4)
Final Exam – 50% (TS: 1-3)

Key Texts and/or other learning materials

Set text

Biber, D., Conrad S., Leech, G. (2002). Student Grammar of Spoken and Written English. Essex: Pearson Longman.

Supplementary Materials

*Riđanović, M. (2007). Praktična engleska gramatika (A Practical English Grammar), 2nd edition. Sarajevo: TDK Šahinpašić. (selected chapters) Quirk, R. & Greenbaum, S. (1973). A University Grammar of English. Essex: Pearson Longman. (excerpts) Fromkin, V. & Rodman, R. (1993). An Introduction to Language. Harcourt Brace College Publishers. (chapters 1, 2 (sections)) *Riđanović, M. (1998) Jezik i njegova struktura (Language and Its Structure). Sarajevo: TDK Šahinpašić. (chapter 3 (sections))
* These two textbooks are in Bosnian and are only used as a reading material to introduce students to Bosnian linguistic terminology used in the description of English grammar

Please note

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the module and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module and programme can be found in the departmental or programme handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by the University of Buckingham and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.

Date of Production : 2014

Date approved by School Learning and Teaching Committee:

Date approved by School Board of Study :

Date approved by University Learning and Teaching Committee:

Date of Annual Review:

SSST Subjects