Introduction to English linguistics and grammar

6 ECTS credits
163 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1001177ANR for all students in the 1st semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.

Semester

1st semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Taught in

English

Faculty

Faculty of Languages & Humanities

Department

Linguistics and Literary Studies

Educational team

Alexis Housen
Bastien De Clercq (course titular)

Activities and contact hours

26 contact hours Lecture
20 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
45 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

The course Introduction to English linguistics and grammar consists of three parts. The first, introductory, part briefly discusses the concepts of language, English, and linguistics. The other two parts offer a detailed overview of the structure and characteristics of standard British English (Received Pronunciation). Part 2, Phonetics and Phonology, discusses the sound system of English. Part 3, Morphology, deals with the structure of words in English. It also discusses the formal and functional properties of the word classes (or parts of speech) in English as well as how English words combine to form phrases.

The theoretical discussions are illustrated with ample examples and put to practice in the exercise sessions.

Course material

Course text (Required) : Introduction to English Linguistics and Grammar, Housen, VUB, 2220170009919, 2023
Practical course material (Recommended) : Translating dictionary, (English-Dutch-English)
Digital course material (Recommended) : Explaining dictionary
Digital course material (Recommended) : Reference grammar, To be selected from the bibliographical section in the printed course
Digital course material (Recommended) : General encyclopaedic work on linguistics, To be selected from the bibliographical section in the printed course

Additional info

In addition to the coursebook (available from the Cursusdienst/Standaard Student Shop, VUB), complementary study material will be made available in class and via Canvas throughout the semester.

Learning Outcomes

General competences

1   Students can independently discuss the main properties of human language.
   2   Students can independently give a brief discussion of the notion of English in all its facets (geographical, historical, etc.).
   3   Students can independently explain the difference between descriptive and prescriptive linguistics, in the context of English.
   4   Students can independently explain the difference between phonology and phonetics, in the context of English.
   5   Students can independently discuss the phonemes of Received Pronunciation, including their allophones, with reference to their articulatory criteria.
   6   Students can independently transcribe written texts into Received Pronunciation using the IPA.
   7   Students can independently describe phonetic phenomena in short samples of connected speech in English.
   8   Students can independently discuss the anatomy of the vocal tract and the process of speech production.
   9   Students can independently explain the difference between morphemes, morphs, allomorphs and their subclasses in English.
   10   Students can independently give a morphological analysis of new examples in English.
   11   Students can independently explain and illustrate the various word creation processes in English.
   12   Students can independently analyse the word creation processes of previously discussed examples and transparent new examples in English.
   13   Students can independently explain and illustrate the various phrasal and lexical classes of English and their subclasses.
   14   Students can independently analyse the characteristics of phrasal and lexical classes when confronted with new data in English, with reference to their syntactic, morphological and semantic characteristics.
   15   With assistance, students can apply and compare concepts discussed with reference to English to their mother tongue or other languages.
   16   Students can independently formulate linguistically precise answers to oral and written questions using grammatically accurate and formal English.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 70% of the final mark.
SELF Practical Assignment determines 30% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

examen schriftelijk with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 70% of the final mark.

Note: Students who have not completed all assessment components are unable to pass the course

Within the SELF Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:

praktijkopdracht with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 30% of the final mark.

Note: Students who have not completed all assessment components are unable to pass the course

Additional info regarding evaluation

The final mark for this course is determined by the weighted average of the marks obtained on the following:
• Coursework carried out during the semester : 30%
• Written examination: 70%

Students who have not completed all assessment components are unable to pass the course.

Assessment in the second examination session is carried out on the basis of a written examination (100%).

Scores for individual assessment components cannot be carried over from one examination period to another, or from one academic year to a subsequent academic year.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context