Department of English
Beth Rapp Young

Beth Rapp Young

  • Associate Professor

byoung@mail.ucf.edu
Office Hours: MW 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Campus Location: CNH411L
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Education

Spring 2010 Courses

Course Number Course Title Mode Date and Time
21419 LIN4105 HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANG WWW -
LIN 4105 History of the English Language
Course Description:
How did English get this way? Why is English different in different English-speaking countries, such as England, Australia, the USA, and Canada? Why is English spelling so crazy? Where do our words come from? Who decides which kind of English is 'best'? Will English always be the main international language? What is the relationship between English and other languages, like Spanish or Chinese?
These questions and others are answered in this course, which traces the development of English from its earliest roots to an obscure dialect of Northern Europe spoken by a few thousand people to a world language spoken and used daily by hundreds of millions. We'll address the internal development of the language (sounds, aka phonology; writing, aka graphemics; grammar, aka morphology & syntax; meaning, aka semantics; spelling, aka orthography; and other points of usage). We'll also address the significant external historical events that have influenced the English language.
Because this course covers a vast amount of material, you should expect to complete dense reading assignments, two independent researched papers, numerous homework assignments, and several challenging exams.
As the UCF catalog states, “LIN 4105 CAH-ENG 3(3,0). History of the English Language: PR: Sophomore standing, and C (2.0) or better required in ENC 1102. Study of the English language and its development from Anglo-Saxon to Modern.”


11006 LIN4680 MODERN ENGLISH GRAMMAR WWW 12:00AM - 12:00AM
LIN 4680 Modern English Grammar
Course Description:
Can you explain the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs? Between complements and objects? Between clauses and phrases? Between active and passive voice? This grammar class will teach you how.
English grammar is a fascinating subject that transcends questions such as, "Is it ok to end a sentence with a preposition?" Even the simple rules are not as simple as you might think. Experts often disagree, for example, about where to put the comma. Unfortunately, many self-appointed grammar cops know little about how the English language actually works.
It is true that if you're a native speaker of English, you're already an expert. However, this expertise is "innate"--it isn't conscious knowledge, but subconscious knowledge. In this class, you'll learn to consciously understand how your language works so you can enhance your own communication skills. Every week, you’ll be assigned a quiz and several group and individual assignments. You’ll also complete at least three exams during the semester.
Knowledge about grammar will help you as a writer or teacher in the same way that knowledge about physiology helps athletes and coaches.
As the UCF catalog states: LIN 4680 CAH-ENG 3(3,0) Modern English Grammar: PR: Sophomore standing, and C (2.0) or better required in ENC 1102. Emphasis upon the analysis and comparison of traditional, structural, and transformational grammar. Spring.
22353 LIN5675 ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND USAGE WWW -
LIN 5675 English Grammar & Usage

Every company has at least one "grammar expert" who picks through your prose looking for errors. Your company may even expect you to be that expert. If this prospect makes you nervous, you need this course! This course will teach you the fundamentals of English grammar. You'll also learn the difference between grammatical rules and folklore rules, so that you can safely navigate tricky passages when the rules aren't clear. Please note: Writers benefit from studying grammar in the same way that athletes benefit from studying anatomy. Grammar isn't a "how to write" class any more than anatomy is a "how to play your sport" class, but knowing how English works can help you write more effectively.


Catalog Description:

PR: Graduate status or senior standing or C.I. (Consent of Instructor)
An overview of modern grammar, including structural, transformational and rhetorical grammar, along with an examination of controversial usage.

Texts:

Martha Kolln's Understanding English Grammar, Martha Kolln & Robert Funk's Exercises for Understanding English Grammar, Edgar H. Schuster's Breaking the Rules, and Merriam-Webster's Concise Dictionary of English Usage. Other short readings may also be assigned within the course.