G. Jones Office hrs: TR 11:00 - 11:30
Fall 2007 . W 9:00 – 11:00
X4573, jonesg@winthrop.edu by appointment
Banc 246
ENGL 303 -- Grammar
Course Objectives
Develop a thorough understanding of the major grammatical terms and
constructions of the English language and exhibit this understanding (exams and
oral class work).
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of traditional grammar (papers and exams).
Recognize the patterns of structural and transformational grammar (papers and
exams).
Exhibit a familiarity with linguistic methodology and grammatical problem-
solving techniques (papers).
Text: Martha Kolln & Robert Funk – Understanding English Grammar (7th ed.)
Grading
3 examinations (20% each),
2 problem papers (15% each),
Presentation and/or class participation (10%).
Conference Requirements for Problem Papers
1. Present evidence of thorough library search, including all standard reference
works.
2. Bring all notes.
3. Bring working outline or draft with a clear statement of the paper’s thesis.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. You are expected to attend class. The maximum number of absences FOR ANY
REASON is four. STUDENTS WHO MISS MORE THAN 4 CLASSES
WILL NOT PASS THIS COURSE. Two tardies will count as one absence.
2. You must be attentive and alert. If you doze off, I will count you absent for the
class. To be present, you must be conscious.
3. You may be required to do a 10 minute mini-lesson for the class on a specific
grammar point. You must explain, give examples, prepare questions, etc., just as
if you were the real teacher.
4. You will be called upon, at random, to put sentences on the board and explain
them.
5. You must be prepared when you come to class with questions about the issues
you did not understand. If there are no questions, I will assume complete
understanding and will call upon you with enthusiasm to explain the issues. If it
becomes obvious that the class has not done the required reading, I will give
quizzes until class preparation becomes obvious.
6. Papers are due on the dates indicated on the syllabus. I WILL NOT ACCEPT A
PAPER FROM A STUDENT WHO HAS NOT CONFERRED WITH ME
ABOUT HIS/HER TOPIC, RESEARCH, ETC. Papers must be word
processed in MLA format.
7. Any late paper will be penalized by a letter grade reduction for every day
late. I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY PAPER OVER 2 WEEKS LATE.
8. FAILURE TO COMPLETE ANY ASSIGNMENT—PAPER, TEST, OR
ORAL PRESENTATION—WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THIS
COURSE.
GRADING SCALE
As you know, the university initiates the +/- grading option this semester. I will
use this grading scale. On individual assignments, as I average your final grades, I will
use the following equivalencies: A = 95, A- = 90, B+ = 89, B = 85, B- = 80 and so forth.
F will be figured in as a 55 numerically. When I record your FINAL grades, the
following will be my scale: 93-100 = A, 90-92 = A-, 88-89 = B+, 83-87 = B, 80-82 = B-
and so forth.
PLAGIARISM POLICY
Plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, will not be tolerated. If you do not
understand how to incorporate borrowed material (ideas, summaries, paraphrases,
or quotes), please ask for an explanation. You may refer to the section on The
Correct Use of Borrowed Information on the English Department Web Page at
http://www.winthrop.edu/english If you plagiarize, you will fail the course.
EMAIL POLICY
I will read my emails every morning around 8 and every afternoon before I leave
and try to respond at those times. I may read emails during the day, but I may not be able
to respond immediately. I will allow you to email me the draft of a paper, but I will not
correct your paper and email it back to you. If you wish to confer with me about a draft,
we will have that conference in person.
Technology
We will examine and learn how to evaluate internet resources addressing grammatical
issues.
Cell Phones
Cell phones must be turned off or set on vibrate during class.
Students with Disabilities
Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education. If you have a
disability and need classroom accommodations, please contact Gena Smith, Coordinator,
Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-3290, as soon as possible. Once you have
your Professor Notification Form, please tell me so that I am aware of your
accommodations well before the first test/paper/assignment.
If you have question about accessibility statements or other accommodation issues, please
contact Gena Smith at 323-3290.
G. Jones
ENGL 303
Fall 2007
T Aug 21 Course Overview, Review Plan, Begin Review
R Aug 23 Review Continued
T Aug 28 Finish Review, Chapter 1 – ―The Study of Grammar‖
R Aug 30 Chapter 2 – ―Sentence Patterns
T Sept 4 Finish Chapter 2; Begin Chapter 3 – Expanding the Main Verb‖
Last day for undergraduate students to select the S/U
(satisfactory/unsatisfactory) option for a course. Students may
also change a course from S/U to a letter grade and still keep
their total number of S/U's.
R Sept 6 Finish Chapter 3; Start Chapter 4 – ―Transforming Basic
Sentence Patterns‖
T Sept 11 Finish Chapter 4; Review for Exam
R Sept 13 EXAM # 1
T Sept 18 Chapter 5 – ―Modifiers of Verbs – Adverbials‖
R Sept 20 Chapter 5 Continued
T Sept 25 Chapter 6 – ―Modifiers of Nouns – Adjectivals‖
R Sept 27 Chapter 6 continued
T Oct 2 Chapter 7 – ―Nominals‖ PROBLEM PAPER #1 DUE
R Oct 4 Chapter 7 Continued
T Oct 9 Chapter 8 – ―Sentence Modifiers‖
R Oct 11 Chapter 8 Continued
T Oct 16 Fall Break
R Oct 18 Review for Exam # 2
F Oct 19 Last day to withdraw from courses (automatic ‗N‘) without
documentation of extenuating circumstances. Last day to rescind
elected S/U option. A rescinded S/U will still count toward the
maximum of four allowed.
T Oct 23 EXAM # 2
R Oct 25 Chapter 9 – ―Coordination‖
T Oct 30 Finish Chapter 9
R Nov 1 Pre-registration begins
Chapter 10 – ―Morphemes‖
T Nov 6 Chapter 11 – ―Form Classes‖
R Nov 8 Finish Chapter 11; PROBLEM PAPER # 2 DUE
T Nov 13 Chapter 12 – ―Structure Classes‖
R Nov 15 Chapter 13 – ―Pronouns‖
T Nov 20 Finish Pronouns; Chapter 14 - ―Rhetorical Grammar‖
R Nov 22 Thanksgiving Break begins. No classes.
T Nov 27 Finish Chapter 14; Chapter 15 – ―Purposeful Punctuation‖
R Nov 29 Exam Review
M Dec 3 Last Day of Classes
T Dec 4 Study Day
T Dec 11 EXAM 8:00 am
Exam schedule available at
http://www.winthrop.edu/recandreg/calendars/default.htm