This course, taught by a specialist in the history of English grammar, investigates the elements of the English language and how these elements are organised in such a way as to allow speakers and writers to combine them to convey messages which can be instantly decoded by listeners (readers). The emphasis will be on grammar (syntax and morphology), although we will also explore some of the connections between grammar and semantics. In the first and larger part of the course, students will be introduced to the grammar of Standard Modern English, learning terminology and analytical techniques which linguists use to build on and modify traditional grammar. The structural characteristics of English will be compared with those of other languages where appropriate. The last third of the course will deal with variation in English, including regional, social and stylistic variation.  Special attention will be paid to ‘new Englishes' which have arisen as a result of the learning of English as a second language by people whose first language is not English.  A course website is used which includes unique interactive exercises designed by the lecturer to develop students' analytical skills. 

This course shares lectures with LING2020, but has separate tutorials as well as assessment that is geared towards postgraduates.

On satisfying the requirements of the course, students will be able to:

1. Analyse a wide range of English syntactic and morphological structures, applying the grammatical terminology and analytical techniques they have learned in the course.
2. Identify instances of specific structures in spoken and written English.
3. Systematically analyse differences between different varieties of English.
4. Use the Oxford English Dictionary Online and demonstrate their understanding of the information provided in the entries.
5. Undertake guided research on a topic in English morphology, syntax, or style.

Note: While the course is not aimed at improving the English of non-native speakers, students with English as a second language should find that having taken this course will improve their understanding of the workings of the language at a deep level which has practical effects in helping them to eliminate systematic errors in their English.  These students as well as native speakers of English will learn metalanguage which will be of assistance to them in understanding and acting on constructive criticisms made by teachers on the language of their essays and other writing. 

Two analytical assignments worth (20%) each, one due in week 7 of the semester and the other due in week 12. These assignments address all the learning outcomes 1-4. Two research papers. The first of these is worth (35%) of the final mark and must be on a structural topic. It will be due in week 10.  The second paper is worth (25%) of the final mark and is due a week after the teaching semester ends.

2 hours of lecture for 13 weeks and 1 hour of tutorial per week for 12 weeks (from week 2 - week 13) Students can expect a workload of 6 hours per week outside of classroom time.   

No prior assumed knowledge.

LENG1020, LING1020, LING2020 and LENG2020 Structure of English.