English 209-001
Language in the United States
Instr: Jennifer Mattson
Office: CRT 697, 229-4230
e-mail: jennifr@uwm.edu
Office hours: by appointment.
Course Information: MWF 10:00-10:50, AUP 116
Course Description
Language in the United States (English 209) is a study of the languages and dialects of the U.S. We will discuss the social and political aspects of language use and examine issues of interethnic communication and assimilation into "mainstream culture". Topics include English-only laws, bilingual education, code-switching, Ebonics, prescriptive vs. descriptive attitudes towards non-standard dialects, slang and jargon, language change, and political correctness.
Text:
English with an Accent by Rosina Lippi-Green, 1997, Routledge.
Course requirements:
3 exams (60% of grade), one 5-7 page paper (20% of grade) OR participation in conversation partnership with international student, and class participation (20% of grade).
Prerequisites?
Speak some form of English!
Class format:
informal, lots of discussion, 25 students/class
