SYLLABUS FOR ENGLISH 342 N01
Second Language Acquisition
Spring 2004, W 6-8:45 p.m., PA 204

Instructor: Todd M. Bunnell
Phone: 241-6235
Office/Hours: 411 Reneau, MWF 11 a.m.-Noon; TTh 9:30-11 a.m.
E-mail address: tbunnell@muw.edu

TEXTS AND MATERIALS:
*Principles of Language Learning and Teaching, Brown, 4^th Ed.

COURSE CONTENT:
EN 342 includes a survey of the major theories of language acquisition, including theories of first language acquisition, theories of language learning, styles and strategies of language learning, effect of personality and sociocultural factors on second language learning, and communicative competence with an emphasis on methods of acquiring a second language.

GOALS:
To prepare students to teach English to speakers of other languages
To make students aware of theories of how a first language is acquired
To make students aware of theories of how a second language is acquired
To make students aware of how personality and sociocultural factors may affect the learning of languages
To promote awareness of cultural diversity
To broaden students' own understanding of the English language

1. A midterm. The midterm will cover readings and lectures from the first six chapters in the text.

2. A final. The final will cover readings and lectures from the last four chapters in the text as well as supplemental materials and lectures.

3. Research paper. This paper will be a further analysis of a topic in the field of Second Language Acquisition.

4. Outside project and presentation. Students will be responsible for conducting an outside project concerning a problem in second language acquisition and an in-class presentation on that project (approximately 15 minutes). The project can be completed as a group or can be an individual attempt.

METHOD OF EVALUATION:
The final grade will be determined by the following:

*Midterm -- 25%

*Final -- 30%

*Research paper -- 25%

*Project/Presentation -- 20%

ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is very important. Each student will be allowed to miss four (4) classes without penalty. On the fifth absence, the student’s final grade will be lowered five percentage points, and with each subsequent absence, the final grade will continue to be lowered by five percentage points. Note: There is no difference between an excused absence and an unexcused absence. Also, please come to class on time and prepared. Excessive tardies will add up to an absence.

PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarism is using someone else's ideas or writing as your own without giving credit to that individual or source. A plagiarized composition will receive a zero, and under extreme cases, you may even receive a grade of F for the course. Documentation (parenthetical documentation and a Works Cited sheet) must be used when quoting an outside source. When in doubt, ask me!

DISABILITIES:
It is the responsibility of students who have professionally diagnosed disabilities to notify the instructor so that necessary and appropriate modifications can be made to meet any special learning needs.

January 30 -- Last day to drop a course without receiving a grade of WP/WF
February 27 -- Last day a course may be dropped
April 23 -- Last day to withdraw from the university 

WEEK 1 (January 14) -- Introduction to Course.

WEEK 2 (January 21) -- Chapter 1 -- Language, Learning, and Teaching.

WEEK 3 (January 28) -- Chapter 2 -- First Language Acquisition.

WEEK 4 (February 4) -- Chapter 3 -- Age and Acquisition.

WEEK 5 (February 11) -- Chapter 4 -- Human Learning.

WEEK 6 (February 18) -- Chapter 5 -- Styles and Strategies.

WEEK 7 (February 25) -- Chapter 6 -- Personality Factors.

WEEK 8 (March 3) -- MIDTERM

WEEK 9 (March 10) -- SPRING BREAK!

WEEK 10 (March 17) -- Chapter 7 -- Sociocultural Factors.

WEEK 11 (March 24) -- Chapter 8 -- Cross-Linguistic Influence and Learner Language.

WEEK 12 (March 31) -- Chapter 9 -- Communicative Competence.

WEEK 13 (April 7) -- Chapter 10 -- Theories on Second Language Acquisition.

WEEK 14 (April 14) -- Second Language Acquisition (SLA) continued.

WEEK 15 (April 21) -- PROJECTS DUE/PRESENTATIONS.

WEEK 16 (April 28) -- Feral Children.

WEEK 17 (May 5) -- RESEARCH PAPER DUE. Finish everything up. Review.