Contact
Kirk Hazen, Ph.D.
331 Stansbury (WVDP Lab); 360 Stansbury
Office Hours: By appointment (best option); also T, H 1:15-2:15.
Kirk.Hazen@mail.wvu.edu
http://www.as.wvu.edu/~khazen
293-3107x414
Class
portal:http://www.as.wvu.edu/~khazen/tel.htm

Purpose and Outcomes
Purpose: The purposse of this course is to direct you in rigorously studying language in general and the English language in particular.

Course Objectives:
- To confront the assumptions of traditional prescriptivism
-To develop respect for human language
-To develop a non-patronizing respect for diachronic and synchronic language variation
-To explore the modern concepts of the mental grammar.
-To follow the process of scientific inquiry with respect to language
-To demonstrate the nature of linguistic argumentation
-To acquire skills in phonetic transcription
-To acquire analytical skill in morphology, phonology, syntax, historical linguistics, and sociolinguistics

Learning Outcomes:
-Students will account for the complex history of language development in dialects of English.
-Students will. examine and explain the intensive social pressures associated with vernacular varieties in the United States -Students will demonstrate their knovvledge o:f current thevries about language variation and change.
-Students will evaluate the complex debate about the role of language in education. Understand language, thought, and literacy
-Students will be able to debate the role oi eorrect English in the socio-educational context of modern America.
-Students will be able to analyze natural language and make descriptive accounts of its structure.
-Students will understand language acquisition and development.

Texts

l~nguage Files.2001. 8th Edition. Columbus, Ohio OSU Press. (LF)
Pinke:r' St:even. 1994. The Language Istinct .New York: HarperPerennial. (P) LSA: FAQs

Atte:ndance:
The attenclance policy for this course is that you can come whenever you want to come. I believe that the course, the exams. and the material will be interesting and difflicult enough to keep you in class in order to learn and pass. If you are not in class on a regular basis, passing will become nearly impossible. If you miss class, it is lully your responsibility to find out what was missed.m Be aware that there will be five (5) graged. in- class essays this semester and that these will not be open for remakes.

If you miss a test, you must have a VERIFIED excuse from the Office of Student Life to be ahle to make-up the test. Before you make up the test, you must contact me to arrange a date and time.If you cannot provide a vertfied excuse, then you will reeeive 0% on the test.

Advice:
If you feel lost or even the slightest bit confused contact me or the teaching assistant.This is not a class you want to get behind in. Email us or come by during office hours. lf you cannot make office hours, we can set up a time to talk. The quicker you get your questions straightened out, the better off you will be.

Grades
There will be four exams in this class. The first three will be during the semester and will not be cumulative. The final exam will be cumulative. Each one will probably consist of identifications (i.e., define and give an example), fill-in-the-blanks, short answer, and, problems to solve. It should take me a week to grade and return the exams.

There will also be writing assignments. The in-class essays are described here.

Type; Percent; Date
In-class essays; 10%
First Exam; 20%; February 10
Second Exam; 20%; March 23
Third Exam; 20%; April 22
Final Exam; 30%
Section 001 (10:00 class): Monday, May 3, 11:00
Section 002 (11:30 class):Thursday, May 6. l 5.00

In this class I assign pluses and minuses. The official percentages are 100-97 = A+: 96-93 = A; 92-90 = A-; 89~87=B+; 86-83 = B; 82-80 =B-; 79~ 77 = C+; 70- 73 =C; 72-70 = C-: 69-67=D+; I only round up once: If you get a 69.5, it is a C-, if you get a 69.49, it is a D+.

Workload: I expeet everyone to have the reading done bel-ore each class period in order to discuss the material and ask question about the materia1 you do not understand. The workload may appear unwieldy at times, but the time involved will greatly benefit your education in this class.

Plagiarism: As noted in the Undergraduate Catalog, "West Virginia University expects that every member of its academic community shares the historic and traditional commitment to honesty, integrity, and the search for truth" (p. 491.As a professional aeademic and as a member of this university I concur with this statement, and accordingly, plagiarism will not be tolerated in this course. Please note the University definition of plagiarism, as explained in the Undergraduate Catalog: "To take or pass off as one's own the ideas. writings, artistic products. etc. of someone else; for example submitting, without appropriate acknowledgment, a report, notebook, speech, outline theme, thesis, dissertation, or other written, visual, or oral material that has been knowingly obtained or copied in whole or in part, from the work of others, whether such source. is published, including (but not limiled to another individual's academic composition, compilation. or other product. or commercial1y prepared paper,' (p. 49) If you have any questions regarding plagiarism, collaborative projects, documentation of your sources, or related issues, please feel free to ask.

Social Justice Policy: West Virginia University is committed to social justice. I concur with that commitment and expect to foster a nurturing environment based upon open commnication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Our university dves not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteraran status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin. .Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.

If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accormmodation ln order to participate in thls class, please advise me and make appropriate arrangements with Disability Services (293-6700)