Principles of Grammatical Analysis_English

Code:

LLC012

Acronym:

BAGR_I

Instance: 2015/2016 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Anglo-American Studies
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LLC	86	Plano Oficial do ano letivo 2013_2014	1	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

English

Objectives

The course aims to provide students with:

(1) an improved knowledge of grammatical terminology at a basic level;

(2) an understanding of word classes and the ability to distinguish between them: closed classes - pronouns, determiners, modal auxiliary verbs, prepositions and conjunctions; open classes - nouns, lexical verbs, adjectives and adverbs;

(3) an understanding of the grammatical distinction between word, phrase, clause and sentence;

(4) the ability to understand the difference between a simple and complex sentence;

(5) an understanding of the five key elements of a clause - subject, verb, object, complement and adverbial.

(6) The ability to use all this knowledge to restructure sentences and thus develop linguistic competence in writing and speaking.

(7) a better knowledge of those areas of the English language that present particular problems for Portuguese native speakers.

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of this course it is hoped that the student should:

(1) Have a better understanding of grammatical terminology at a basic level;
(2) Be able to appreciate the importance of good spelling & punctuation;
(3) Have an understanding of word classes & different lexical items, and be able to distinguish between them: i.e. Closed classes - pronoun, determiner, auxiliary/primary/modal verb, preposition, conjunction; Open classes - noun, adjective, lexical verb, adverb;
(4) Have an understanding of the grammatical distinction between morpheme, word, phrase, clause and sentence;
(5) Be able to understand the distinction between simple, compound and complex sentences;
(6) Know the five basic clause/sentence elements - S, VP,O,C and A, and be able to practise these effectively in exercises related to the Simple Sentence;
(7) Be able to understand the distinction between Transitive, Intransitive and Copular verbs and use them appropriately;
(8) Recognise the form and functions of Noun Phrases, and understand the grammar of relative clauses.
(9) Understand the distinction between FINITENESS/NON-FINITENESS;
(10) Be able to apply all this grammatical knowledge in the production of discourse so as to improve the range and accuracy of their English.

Working method

Presencial

Program

The syllabus is largely defined by the use of a support text produced by the teacher of BAGR_I.

The components of the syllabus are as follows:

(1) Introduction: course objectives. Why study grammar? Essential terminology;

(2) Word classes (open and closed);

(3) Noun classes and countable/uncountable nouns;

(4) Pronouns;

(5) The noun phrase:
(i) Pre-modification (determiners, adjectives, participles, nouns)
(ii) Post-modification (relative clauses, non-finite clauses);

(6) Other types of phrases (prepositional, adjective, adverb and verb phrases);

(7) Clause elements: subject, verb, object, complement, adverbial;

(8) The simple sentence;

(9) The complex sentence;

(10) Adverbial clauses (finite and non-finite);

(11) conjunctions and linking devices

Mandatory literature

Crystal D; Rediscover Grammar (3rd edition), [Harlow]Longman/Pearson Education , 2004. ISBN: 0-582-84862-8

Complementary Bibliography

Yule G; Oxford Practice Grammar (Advanced), Oxford University Press, 2006. ISBN: 978 0-19 432754-1
Swan M; Practical English Usage (3rd edition), [Oxford) O.U.P., 2005. ISBN: 0-19-442098-1
Leech G, Cruikshank B, Ivanic R; An A-Z of English Grammar & Usage, Longman/Pearson Education Ltd, 2001. ISBN: 0-582-40574-2
Cholij M. & Geetha N.; English Basics (A companion to grammar & writing), (Cambridge) C.U.P., 2004. ISBN: 0-521-52060-6

Teaching methods and learning activities

(1) In-Class explanations & instructions;

(2) Written exercises (both in class and for homework), often involving an inductive approach to learning;

(3) [Depending on class size] group-based activities, some student-centred mini-presentations of grammar points, oral quizzes, deductive and inductive exercises such as comparing sentences, filling in gaps and rewriting sentences, question/answer sessions, grammar games, etc.

(4) A student support text, explaining the above points and incorporating appropriate exercises.

(5) Revision and summary of the content, at the end of the course.

(6) Two written exams

Software

Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable

keywords

Humanities > language sciences > Linguistics > Grammar

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	60,00
Participação presencial	0,00
Teste	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	82,00
Frequência das aulas	54,00
Trabalho de investigação	26,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Students are required to attend 75 % of classes, with exceptions according to FLUP regulations. Working students are not required to attend lessons.

Calculation formula of final grade

40% - test done during the semester (November); 60% - final exam done in January.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not Applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not Applicable

Classification improvement

In February, there will be a 'retake' exam worth 100% of the total. This can be taken by anyone, as a means to raise their original grade

Observations

Language of Instruction: English