WRIT 380.101

Syntax, Semantics, and Style

NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester.

"The limits of my language are the limits of my world."

—Ludwig Wittgenstein

"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in a rather a scornful tone, ñit means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less."

"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."

"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master—that's all."

--Lewis Carroll

Course Description: This course explores the structural and aesthetic principles governing written discourse such as grammar rules, usage conventions, and stylistic principles and practices. Special attention is given to the relationship of form to meaning in sentence design.

Course Requirements:

Occasional quizzes

Midterm and final examinations

Research essay of approximately 10-12 pages

Course Schedule

WEEK 1

A brief history of the English language

Grammar, Usage, and Style: Some Differentiations

WEEK 2

The elements of linguistic analysis: phonology, orthography, morphology, syntax, and semantics

A look at phonemes: the idiosyncracies of English spelling

WEEK 3

Fun with phonemes and morphemes

Sound and meaning: Language and thought

WEEK 4

More on morphemes: Inflection and derivation

Properties of Nouns: Number and Case

WEEK 5

Seven Types of Pronouns

Pronouns and their Antecedents

WEEK 6

A Failsafe Formula for English Verbs

Properties of Verbs: Tense and Aspect

WEEK 7

Properties of Verbs: Voice and Mood

The anatomy of an English sentence: traditional grammar

WEEK 8

The anatomy of an English sentence: transformational/generative grammar

Modifiers: Adjectives

WEEK 9

Modifiers: Adverbs

Verbals: Participles, Gerunds, and Infinitives

WEEK 10

Prepositions and Conjunctions: The Connective issue

Midterm Examination

WEEK 11

The Building Blocks of Sentences: Words, Phrases, and Clauses

Principles of sentence design

WEEK 12

Phrase structure rules and immediate constituent analysis

Some strategies for error analysis

WEEK 13

The social stratification of English

WEEK 14

Gender and English discourse

Words and Rules: A Theory of Cognition

WEEK 15

Semantic environments

Final review




			*WRIT 380.101* *Syntax, Semantics, and Style* NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester. "The limits of my language are the limits of my world." —Ludwig Wittgenstein "When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in a rather a scornful tone, ñit means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less." "The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things." "The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master—that's all." --Lewis Carroll Course Description: This course explores the structural and aesthetic principles governing written discourse such as grammar rules, usage conventions, and stylistic principles and practices. Special attention is given to the relationship of form to meaning in sentence design. Course Requirements: Occasional quizzes Midterm and final examinations Research essay of approximately 10-12 pages Course Schedule WEEK 1 A brief history of the English language Grammar, Usage, and Style: Some Differentiations WEEK 2 The elements of linguistic analysis: phonology, orthography, morphology, syntax, and semantics A look at phonemes: the idiosyncracies of English spelling WEEK 3 Fun with phonemes and morphemes Sound and meaning: Language and thought WEEK 4 More on morphemes: Inflection and derivation Properties of Nouns: Number and Case WEEK 5 Seven Types of Pronouns Pronouns and their Antecedents WEEK 6 A Failsafe Formula for English Verbs Properties of Verbs: Tense and Aspect WEEK 7 Properties of Verbs: Voice and Mood The anatomy of an English sentence: traditional grammar WEEK 8 The anatomy of an English sentence: transformational/generative grammar Modifiers: Adjectives WEEK 9 Modifiers: Adverbs Verbals: Participles, Gerunds, and Infinitives WEEK 10 Prepositions and Conjunctions: The Connective issue Midterm Examination WEEK 11 The Building Blocks of Sentences: Words, Phrases, and Clauses Principles of sentence design WEEK 12 Phrase structure rules and immediate constituent analysis Some strategies for error analysis WEEK 13 The social stratification of English WEEK 14 Gender and English discourse Words and Rules: A Theory of Cognition WEEK 15 Semantic environments Final review home \| bs, corporate communication \| ba, english \| ma, publications design \| mfa, integrated design \| mfa, creative writing & publishing arts \| people \| portfolio \| facilities \| classes \| undergraduate applications \| graduate applications \| contact \| site index \| university of baltimore