ENG 321: Structure of the English Language Course information and policies

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Goals: Our principal goal in this course is to become experts in English grammar. More specifically, it is for us to understand the way our language is constructed and, as a result, to better understand how our minds work as we use language on a daily basis—as we create sentences and comprehend the sentences that others speak to us. The goals are more fully explained in Chapter 1 of the text. No prior training in grammar is required as a prerequisite.

Instructor: Richard Veit. Office: MO 135. E-mail: veit @ uncw .edu. I encourage you to visit or contact me at any time about the course or any other matter.

Course web pages: On the Internet I have posted copies of this handout, answers to selected exercises, explanations of assignments, and practice tests with answers. In your browser, you should bookmark the course website: people.uncw.edu/veit/Eng321.

Textbook: By the second class meeting you must have the text: Veit, Discovering English Grammar, second edition (Allyn & Bacon, ISBN 0-205-28483), as seen on TV! Make sure you buy the second edition, not the first. Also needed: (1) a looseleaf binder for your homework exercises (must be looseleaf, lined or unlined) and (2) a notebook for in-class notes (can be a separate section of your looseleaf binder).

Assignments: See the opening-day assignment, due by the second class. For each class there is a reading assignment and an exercise assignment. Assignments for each class are posted on the daily assignments page (for MW class) (for TR class). Assignments are not necessarily stated in class, so students are required to consult the daily assignments page before each class. Homework exercises are intended as learning experiences, so there are never any penalties for wrong answers. However, missing or shoddy work is never acceptable. If, on any day, you have been unable to complete your homework, you need to notify the instructor before class; a student who does not have the work when called upon will be required to meet with the instructor to review the student's homework notebook.

Also assigned is a longer reading-response assignment.

Exams and grades: Three exams will each count for 28% of your course grade. The reading-response assignment will count for 16%. To pass the course, you must do all the homework, take all exams at the assigned time, and submit the reading-response assignment on time. A student who fails more than one exam cannot receive a passing grade for the course. Make-up exams and assignment extensions will only be given in the case of a medical or other demonstrable emergency. For information about exams and practice exams, see the exams page.

Attendance: You should not miss any class meetings. If you should be absent from one or two classes, I will assume that you do so for a good reason, and no excuse is needed. However, a third or fourth absence, unless excused by a reason I consider valid, will each result in a full letter-grade reduction of your course grade. Anyone missing more than four meetings for any reason will have missed too much of the course to receive a passing grade. Absent students must always check the daily assignments page and come fully prepared for the next class.

Seating: At our second meeting, please take the seat you wish to keep throughout the semester. Also at the second meeting, I will take a class photo, which I will post on the class web page.

Classroom courtesy: Please observe the following courtesies:

• Late arrival: Be in the classroom before class begins. Late arrival is disruptive and is a discourtesy to your classmates and instructor. Three late arrivals will be counted as equivalent to one absence for attendance purposes. Commuters by car: there is no guarantee that you will be able to park close to Morton Hall. It is your responsibility to plan your schedule accordingly and to make whatever time allowances are needed so that you arrive in class on time. A student who arrives after attendance is taken is responsible for notifying the instructor after class to avoid being marked absent for the day.
• Early departure: Do not pack up to leave before the scheduled end of class. Except in an emergency, a student who needs to leave early should notify me before class and sit near the door.
• Personal breaks: Students may not leave the classroom to take phone calls. Students should take restroom breaks before class; during class students should leave class only for an emergency.
• Cell phones: Turn off your cell phone before class. Do not send or receive text messages during class (very rude). Notify me before class if you are expecting an emergency call.
• Personal computers: Computers may not be used in class without the instructor's permission. Much of the note-taking you will do in this class involves drawing diagrams that cannot be typed on a computer.