Course Syllabus

ENGLISH GRAMMAR (II)

Fall 2014 Semester

Professor

Ben Taylor

 

Email Address

Benjamin.Taylor@eku.edu

 

Office Location

Building 7, Room 503 (7-503)

 

Office Hours

1:00 — 3:00 PM, Tuesday

 

Class Meeting Time

Tuesday, periods 1 – 3 (9:10 AM – 12:00 PM)

 

Classroom Location

9-314

 

Textbook

“Grammar in Context: 2”. Sandra N. Elbaum. 5^th edition. Heinle Publishing: 2009. This book will be available in the school bookstore.

 

Class Website

grammarDHU.wordpress.com

 

Course Description                                                                                                             

As a follow-up to English Grammar I, this course will broaden the students’ understanding of English grammar and vocabulary use in a variety of ways. Students will practice familiar aspects of the language, but will focus on learning new elements and practicing them in practical, real-world situations. In addition to the mechanics of language, this course will focus on practical vocabulary situations.

Students will complete homework and quizzes, language games and role-playing, and will also create and update personal webpages in this class. They will also practice using English and English-language websites to browse and find information on the Internet. Throughout the course, students should expect to practice each area of communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing!

Grading                                                                                                                                 

I will grade your attendance, performance, and participation in class. It is important to come to class and complete your assignments successfully.

We will use a relative grading system, which means there will be a curve.

• The number of A’s (90-100%) and B’s (80-89%) is limited. Official university policy limits our grades like this:

• Twenty percent (20%) or fewer students will earn an A;
• Fewer than forty-five percent (45%) will earn a B.

• During the grade-changing period, your grades will not be changed unless your request is reasonable. Before asking about changing a grade, please have a reason to support your request.

Your grade in English Grammar includes five areas of assessment. Your score includes:

• Midterm Examination: 30 percent of your final grade
  • Your midterm exam will include everything covered in class from week 2 to week 7. It will have a written portion as well as a speaking portion. Professor Taylor will announce details of the exam in class.
  • This grade includes work done on the personal webpage you will create in class (weeks 1-7).

• Final Examination: 30 percent of your final grade
  • Your final exam will include everything covered in class from week 9 to week 14. It will include an out-of-class portion and an in-class portion. Professor Taylor will announce details of the exam in class.
  • This grade includes work done on the personal webpage you will create in class (weeks 9-14).

• Homework: 15 percent of your final grade
  • Homework includes anything completed outside of class, including question-and-answer assignments, assignments completed online, short reading and writing assignments, or anything else.

• Quizzes: 15 percent of your final grade
  • Quizzes are all in-class assignments, including questions about readings, questions and worksheets from group activities, or other assignments. Some quizzes will be graded, others will be for participation credit (which means you get full credit for trying).

• Participation and Attendance: 10 percent of your final grade
  • Participation includes your willingness to speak English in class and your preparedness for class — including bringing a notebook and pen, your textbook, and other necessities to class.

Professor Taylor will distribute a progress report to each student at midterm.

Class Rules          

                                                                                                                

Attendance Rules

1. I expect each student to attend class on time, and you will be considered late if you arrive more than ten minutes after the start of class.
   1. I will deduct two points for each absence and one point for arriving to class late or leaving early.
   2. Leaving early two times equals being absent. Arriving late two times equals being absent.
   3. Any combination of leaving early or arriving late will affect your attendance grade.
   4. At the end of the semester, your attendance score becomes half of your “Participation and Attendance” score, which is five percent (5%) of your final grade.
2. Students who miss one-third of classes (such as 5 weeks of a 15 week class) will receive a failing grade in the class.
3. I will consider a student excused for his or her absence when he or she provides satisfactory reasons for the absence – such as injury or illness, military duties, MT, or natural disasters.
   1. You must provide an official letter to verify each absence. Provide the letter within TWO WEEKS of the absence. Without the letter, your absence is unexcused.
      1. NO EXCEPTIONS. We only meet once per week, and attendance is extremely important.
   2. Absence from class due to department events – such as seminars or field trips – is not excused unless a department chair, professor or student advisor provides a letter to verify the events.
   3. If you miss class, and if your absence is excused, you may complete the work you missed and you will not be counted absent. There will be no penalty.
   4. If your absence is unexcused, you may not make-up your work, and you will be counted absent.

Behavioral Rules

1. Bring a notebook, a pen, and your readings to class every week. You will have readings and assignments for the second week of class. If you are not prepared for class — with your notebook, pen, and readings — you will be counted absent.
2. Professor Taylor will give you some readings in class, but you will be responsible for printing some readings. When required, print your own readings, DO NOT SHARE. You must have your own copy of the readings.
3. Do not be disruptive in class: don’t talk when the instructor or other students are talking; don’t walk in and out of class without permission. Do not use make-up, combs, or mirrors in class. Being disruptive could result in being removed from class for one day (and an absence).
4. Silence your cell phones and/or tablet computers in class – no exceptions. Do not use them in class.
5. Do not use electronic devices, notes, books, or other outside aids when taking a test or quiz. Using electronic devices and other aids could result in you losing all points for the assignment!
6. Please: if you have any problems with class, with the instructor, with other students, assignments, anything at all, talk to the instructor first. I am happy to address any concern you might have. Speak with me before or after class, or visit me in my office — come during office hours or make an appointment.