 |
Spring 2008 |
Instructor: Roger M. Thompson
Class: MWF 6 (12:50-1:40) TUR 1315
Office: M W (1:45-2:30) TUR 4334
Phone: 392-6650 ext 263
Email: rthompso@english.ufl.edu
Homepage: http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/rthompso/
The English language has more than one billion speakers world
wide.
Many millions speak English as a native language, many more speak
English
as a second language, but most speak it as a foreign language. However,
English is more than a language that people learn to express their
thoughts.
It is also a social phenomenon that promotes and reinforces certain
types
of social behavior. Some say that English is a deadly virus that is
permeating
the world and destroying local cultures. Others say it is a benevolent
medicine that will cure the ills of the world as it promotes social and
economic advancement. Whatever the case, we will take note of the
linguistic
differences among the various versions of English used around the world
and look at the sociolinguistics that surrounds English in various
settings. We will look first at inner
circle English, where the users
are native speakers. Then we will look at outer circle English, where
the users use Engish as a second language in former colonies of the USA
and Britain. Then we will look at a new
circle created by English based
pidgins and creoles. You will research for a class presentation expanding
circle English, where English is invading other countries and
cultures
which never had a colonial connection.
Suggested Prerequisites: Introduction to Sociolinguistics,
Introduction to Linguistics, or Modern English Structure
Required
Textbook: (available only at
Goerings Books)
- Cheshire. English around the world: Sociolinguistic perspectives (EAW)
- Mondays after a two-question reading quiz, we will have a general introduction of the topic for the week. This might include seeing videos or a discussing the introductory sections of the reading.
- Wednesday and Fridays you will give 30 minute team presentations/discussions of assigned readings. This will be followed by general class discussion of related topics.
- On
exam weeks, we will spend one day in general discussion summarizing the
concepts for that part of the course. Another day we will spend
discussing possible exam questions.
Total is divided by 550 and grades are assigned 90-100 A, 87-89 B+, 80-86 B, 77-79 C+, 70-76 C, 67-69 D+, 60-66 D, 59 and lower E.
120 points Class participation (3 points per day--no excused absences) On Monday two of your points come from a reading quiz based on the introductory chapter for the area of focus for the week. During Part IV, you get a bonus 6 points if you attend all of the presentations.
50 points Annotated bibliography based on journal readings in World Englishes and English World-wide (10 one page annotations due: Friday February 15) Both journals need to be represented in your bibliography. The penalty for late work is 10 points.
The title of each annotation will be the name of the article using a standard bibliographical entry [e.g. Shim, Rosa (1994) 'Englishized Korean: structure, status, and attitudes.' World Englishes, 12 (2), 224-225] followed by two clearly marked sections:
1. Summary of the contents including the research question, type of data and how collected, conclusions.
2. Personal reactions to the results, such as insights, perceived shortcomings, ideas for other research or applications based on your own experiences or our class discussion.
Each bibliography is worth 5 points with the following criteria:
*1 point source given correctly
*1 point one page long
*1 point good summary
*1 point good reaction
*1 point mechanics --spelling, paragraphing, division into sections, double spaced, margins.
20 points Lead weekly team discussions. In teams of two or three you will lead the class in a Wednesday or Friday discussion of an assigned chapter from our reading. Your group will be responsible for planning a 30 minute discussion and bringing to class any additional material that would be helpful in stimulating class participation. You will sign up for the topics by Monday of week two.
The points are assigned as follows:
*5 points preparation and planning (i.e. Was the presentation interesting, engaging, and well timed?)
*5 points personal presence and participation (i.e. Did all the team play a fair share?)
*5 points class participation (i.e.How well did you engage the other class members in the discussion?)
*5 points visuals (i.e. How well did you use multiple senses through appropriate handouts, power point, or realia?)
60 points Research project (Written and Oral Report). During the semester you will carry out a small research project based on some interesting aspect English in the expanding circle (where English is a foreign language/ EFL). During the first two weeks we will suggest various possibilities (e.g. English in Italian commercials, English in Korean popular music, English in EFL textbooks, English in foreign products, English in Sports). Your journal reading in World Englishes and English World-wide should also give you some ideas.
Your preliminary topic must be approved by me by the end of week 7 (Friday. Feb 22). Your draft for Part I is due by the end of week 10 (Friday. Mar 21). Be sure to include in your draft a preliminary bibliography of the sources you have used. There is a 5 point deduction on the final paper if the preliminary draft is late. The paper is due the last day of class (Wednesday, April 23).
A. Your 5-8 minute oral report (10 points) will briefly present to the class your findings. Reports begin after the last exam.
The 10 points for the oral report are assigned as follows:
3 points timing (8 minutes maximum 5 minute minimum) 3 points quality of handout/examples 4 points personal presence in presentation B. Your 8-10 page written report (50 points) will have three parts.
Part I. Present the social/discourse setting for English in the EFL country you are investigating (i.e. when is English used by locals?). With appropriate language examples explore in detail a specific use of English in this EFL setting. Give appropriate reference to studies you have found in World Englishes, English World Wide or other sources that deal with this use of English.
Part II. Interview three people from the country you selected in regards to their general reaction towards the use of English in their country and their reaction to the specific use that you have investigated. These people might be relatives or friends, international students or immigrants. Report their attitudes about the expanding power of English in their country. How does the English you chose to investigate reflect local norms or attitudes about language? How do their comments fit in with the principles we discussed in class?
Part III. List the sources of your information in three alphabetized sections--books/articles, websites, people.. For books and articles use the bibliographic format you used for the annotated bibliographies. For websites, give the name of the website followed by the URL. For people give their name and brief background information in phrase format (e.g. national origin, age, sex, occupation/status in USA, length of time in USA). After each entry in all three sections briefly, in phrase format, indicate what sorts of information each provided. (e.g. language examples, historical background, etc.)
The 50 points for the 8-10 page written version are assigned as follows: 5 point deduction if late.
10 points length (12 point type, double spaced, standard margins) 20 points mechanics (spelling, paragraphing, proof reading, visual effect, sources given appropriately) 20 points content (good background information, good language focus, good detailed examples, good tie in with principles discussed in class and in the reading.) 300 points 3 Exams (essay, identification, and short answer) Fridays Feb 8, March 7 and Wednesday April 9 Late exams--10 point penalty.