Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program

LIN 161 - Modern English Grammar (4 Credits)

(Cross Listing: WRT 250)

Course Description

A comprehensive introduction to Modern Standard English grammar, this course is designed for those who wish to know more about the workings of the English language, whether for personal, practical, cognitive, or creative ends. Drawing on work in mostly pre-theoretical, descriptive linguistics, this course reveals the mechanics of Standard English structure, and relates structural choices to the finesse of usage across genres, modes, and registers (dialect to slang). Assignments will involve reflection on form, usage & speaker judgments. Working regularly with real data, students will develop the ability to see grammatical patterns, explore how speaker choices lead to grammatical & ungrammatical structures, and investigate the possibilities and limits of grammatical choices. In the final project, students can pursue an aspect of an English variety that interests them. This course is a good fit for those interested in linguistics, writing, education, editing or cognitive studies. No background in ling needed.

Pre-requisite: Completion of the Primary Writing Requirement.