Winter 1995

Instructor:  Dr. Battenburg
Office:  47-25D
Phone:  756-2945
Office Hours:   M-1:00-3:00, T-TH 1:00-2:00, or by appointment

Text:

Pyles, Thomas, and John Algeo.  1993.  The Origins and Development of the English  Language.  4th ed.  New York:  Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich.

Course Description:

ENGLISH 395 focuses on the history of the English language.  Linguistic developments in the English language will be dealt with in detail.  Because language change does not occur in a vacuum, various social and political events which prompted linguistic alterations will also be examined.  Three major periods within the history of English will be considered:  Old English, Middle English, and Modern English.

In-class activities and reading assignments will be supplemented by accessing world-wide web sites in linguistics.  Student will be required to use the computer to participate in these online activities. The URL (or address) for Battenburg's Cal Poly Linguistics Site is as follows: http://cla.calpoly.edu/~jbattenb/ling/

Class Requirements and Grading Procedures:

1. Attendance is required.  More than three absences will significantly lower your final grade in this class.
2. No late assignments, quizzes, or exams will be accepted.  If you miss class, make sure to contact a classmate to catch up with lecture material and assignments.
3. Class participation and presentation:  15%
4. Assignments and quizzes:  20%
5. Midterm exam:  35%
6. Research paper:  30%

Tentative Schedule:

Week 1 Jan. 2-6
 
Introduction to Linguistics  Chap. 1

Week 2 Jan. 9-13
 
Current English Phonology and Orthography  Chap. 2

History of Writing  Chap. 3

Week 3 Jan. 16-20
 
The Indo-European Family  Chap. 4

Week 4 Jan. 23-27

Old English  Chap. 5

Week 5 Jan. 30-Feb. 3

Middle English  Chap. 6

Week 6 Feb. 6-10

EXAM:  Tusday February 7

Modern English Phonology and Orthography  Chap. 7

Week 7 Feb. 13-17

Modern English Syntax  Chap. 8

American English Versus British English  Chap. 9

Week 8 Feb. 20-24

Modern English Semantics  Chap. 10
 
Week 9 Feb. 27-Mar. 3

Word Formation and Borrowing  Chaps. 11 and 12

Research Paper Presentations

Week 10 Mar. 6-10

Research Paper Presentations

RESEARCH PAPER DUE:  Thursday March 9

 FINAL EXAM:  As stated in the Winter Schedule
  Research Paper Presentations Continued