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Daniel Mosser |
ENGL 4054 |
Index# 2283 |
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Office Hours: 10-11:30 MW & by appt |
Office: Williams 216 | |
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(540) 231-7797 |
Class time: 12 MWF |
Classroom: Williams 320 |
This course traces the development of the English Language, examining both its internal history (sounds, vocabulary, inflections, syntax) and its external history (political, social, and intellectual forces that have influenced that development at different periods). This study will take us from the question, "what is language and where does it come from?", to a discussion of some hypothetical parent languages and English's Germanic roots, through its origins in England, its spread throughout the Empire, and, finally, to the present-day paradox: while English is undeniably a de facto "World Language" it is perceived by some as so threatened by immigration domestically that there is a vigorous campaign to declare it the "Official Language" of the United States.
Throughout, we will also be examining the effects of standardization and prescription on both native and non-native speakers of English, no doubt delving into the controversy over "Ebonics." We will spend examine as much primary evidence--written documents from the earlier periods, and the writing and speech of the present-day--as time allows. Throughout, it will be worthwhile to ask the question, "why and how do we know what the textbooks tell us we know?"
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Quizzes (four x 15 points each) |
60% |
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20% | |
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20% |
*Graduate students will be asked to turn in a short (5-8 pp.) paper or some other work in addition to the above. (Talk to me about this)
