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University Learning Goals: Personal and Social Responsibility, Critical Thinking, Content Knowledge
Department or Program Learning Goal: Students will demonstrate their awareness of the history, structure and
use of the English language.
Course Description: With a primary focus on English, a study of the basic concepts of language, the principles of
linguistic investigation, the methods of linguistic analysis, the nature of linguistic change, the history of English, and
the acquisition of language. Fall, even years.
Required texts
Fromkin, V., Rodman, R., & Hyams, N. (2014). An Introduction to Language (10th or 9th ed.). Boston:
Cengage Learning.
Baugh, A. & Cable, T. (2012). A History of the English Language (6th ed.). London: Routledge.
Supplementary materials will be available on Blackboard.
Course grades
Assignments will be given letter grades based on the percentage of all possible points a student receives
for a given assignment. Similarly, final grades will be assigned based on the percentage of all possible
points the student has received throughout the semester. The percentages and corresponding letter
grades are as follows:
A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = < 60%
If you have any questions, concerns, or other inquiries about your grades, you must contact the
instructor within 10 days of receiving the grade.
Assignments
Points will be awarded in the following amounts, for a maximum of 500 pts:
Exam 1 100 pts
Exam 2 100 pts
Exam 3 100 pts
Homework 100 pts (5 x 20 pts)
Reading reflections 50 pts (10 x 5 pts)
Attendance and participation 50 pts
Exams
We will have three in-class exams over the course of the semester. Each exam will cover the material
since the last exam. You will be allowed to bring some note cards but you will not be able to use the
textbooks or other materials on the exam.
Homework
You will turn in a total of 5 Homework assignments throughout the semester. Each assignment is worth
10 pts and must be turned in—as a hard copy—at the beginning of class when it is due. You can discuss
the Homework with others but you must write your own answers! Please keep in mind that copying
other people’s answers is considered plagiarism and defeats the whole purpose of these assignments: to
help you practice the new material. Finally, for every day a Homework is turned in late, 5 pts will be
deducted from the score.
ELS Syllabus 3
Reading reflections
You are required to turn in at least 10 Reading reflections over the course of the semester. Each
reflection is worth 5 pts and must be turned in—as a hard copy—at the beginning of class. A Reading
reflection is a short piece of writing that demonstrates your active and critical thinking about the
assigned course texts, which you are expected to read before coming to class. In other words, a
reflection is a brief (3-5 sentences) discussion of the readings assigned on a particular day. For example,
you could discuss and elaborate on an idea that you found particularly interesting in the text, or relate
the idea to your own life. You could also ask a question about a concept that was confusing, unclear, or
perhaps discussed in too little depth in the text. You could even contest a statement made in the text, if
you have a different opinion or interpretation of the data. In brief, the goal of the reflection is to show
your active engagement with the course readings and to start a class discussion. Thus, the reflections
will be evaluated on the basis of quality over quantity.
You may sometimes be asked to read your Reading reflection out loud. Finally, please note that
Reflections that are too short, that do not demonstrate sufficient effort, or that are turned in late will
receive an automatic score of 0.
Please note: You are required to turn in 10 Reflections but you can only submit one Reflection on
one day. It is YOUR responsibility to keep track of how many Reflections you’ve turned in (but you
can always check with Dr. K). Moreover, for each reflection beyond the 10 you’re required to
submit, you will receive 2 pts extra credit (these can add up pretty quickly!).
Deadlines
All major assignments and deadlines are listed in the course schedule. However, please keep in mind
that during the semester the instructor may alter some assignments, change deadlines, or create new
assignments that you are required to complete. It is YOUR responsibility to stay informed about what is
due and when. You should attend all classes and check your e-mail and Blackboard regularly, so that you
do not miss any important information or updates.
miss any classes due to university-mandated activities (ex. sports events, club trips, etc.) you must notify
Dr. K in advance and make advance arrangements to complete the missed work. If you do not make
arrangements in advance, you will NOT be given an extension after you miss the due date or
immediately before it.
Technical difficulties
Technical difficulties are NEVER an excuse for late or missed work! Dr. K will not excuse late or missed
work because of broken computers, problems with Internet connectivity, or other technology-related
issues. You should always plan extra time to ensure that you will be able to complete and submit your
work before the due date. Moreover, you should always back up your work; the instructor especially
recommends backing up your files online and can suggest specific programs to interested students.
Additional policies:
• You are expected to be prepared for all class meetings, meaning that you have completed any
and all assigned homework and readings prior to the beginning of class and that you have
brought all appropriate materials (including textbooks, other readings, and your notes) to class.
• While class is taking place, you are not allowed to use your cell phone. If you use your phone,
you will be asked to stop immediately, and 10 pts will automatically be deducted from your
Attendance and participation score for EACH time you break this rule.
• While class is taking place, you may NOT wear headphones in your ears or chew gum or tobacco.
You also may not eat during class.
• You are expected to participate cooperatively, constructively, and to the best of your ability in
all class activities, while respecting the different experiences, beliefs and values expressed by
everyone in this course. Any behavior that could be distracting to the instructor or your
classmates—including but not limited to off-topic conversations, use of cell phones, or
chewing/spitting tobacco—is considered disrespectful and should be avoided. If you fail to
behave in an engaged and respectful manner, you may be asked to leave a class meeting and
will receive an unexcused absence. In both your in-class and online interactions with classmates,
you are expected to avoid any language that may be construed as hate speech—in other words,
any words or phrases that could be understood as threatening, insulting, or degrading to a
person or group based on characteristics such as race, gender, or sexual orientation.
ELS Syllabus 5
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional University Policies
Disability Support Services: It is the policy of SAU to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal
law, state law, and the University's commitment to equal education opportunities. Any student with a disability
who needs accommodation should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. Students with disabilities
are also encouraged to contact the Office of Disabilities Support Services, 216 Reynolds Center, 870-235-4154.
Academic Integrity Policy: Academic integrity at SAU is an organizational and individual responsibility to honesty in
all learning experiences. Any act of dishonesty in academic work constitutes academic misconduct and is subject to
disciplinary action. Acts of dishonesty include, but are not limited to:
A. Plagiarism—the act of taking and/or using the ideas, work, and/or writings of another person as one’s own.
B. Cheating—an act of dishonesty with the intention of obtaining and/or using information in a fraudulent
manner.
C. Fabrication—faking or forging a document, signature or findings of a research project.
D. Resubmission—submitting a work you have submitted for credit in a previous class.
If you are caught committing plagiarism or any other act of academic dishonesty, you will automatically receive a
grade of 0 on the assignment and be required to meet with the dean of the College of Liberal and Performing Arts;
other penalties may be assessed at the instructor’s discretion, depending on the severity of the offense.