English 322-A
Language and Diversity
3 credit hours
Spring 2016
TR 9:25-10:40am
213 Jennings
Dr. Kristi Richard Melancon
Office: 318 Jennings
Phone: 925-3325
Email: kmelancon@mc.edu
Office Hours: TR 12-3pm
or by appointment
Catalog Description: This course introduces students to the structure of and attitudes towards the English language in
all its varieties. The first part of the class covers the basics of linguistics—definitions of language, sound production
and sound systems, word-formation processes, and grammatical structure. Students will then apply these linguistic
tools to understand how meaning is created, how variation and change occur in English, and how English is acquired,
processed, and used to establish social and other (cognitive, pragmatic, emotional) meanings.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 101 and ENG 102 or ENG 103; ENG 321 recommended
Course Rationale and Objectives: Students will apply the principles of English language study to approach social,
educational, and political language issues. In addition to increasing awareness of individual attitudes towards language
and its use, the class will address social and cultural questions such as: Why does English have so much variation? Is
one variety of English superior to another? What does it mean to “know” a language?
This course specifically targets the following knowledge requirements for students seeking Secondary English
Licensure:
NCTE Standard II: Candidates demonstrate knowledge of English language arts subject matter content that specifically
includes language and writing as well as knowledge of adolescents as languages users.
Element 2: Candidates know the conventions of English language as they relate to
various rhetorical situations (grammar, usage, and mechanics); they understand the
concept of dialect and are familiar with relevant grammar systems (e.g., descriptive and
prescriptive); they understand principles of language acquisition; they recognize the
influence of English language history on ELA content; and they understand the impact of
language on society.
Students who complete ENG 322 will understand:
 The basics of phonetics
 Use of morphology and lexicon to analyze a word’s structure, function, and meaning
 Syntactic features (e.g., a verb phrase) in oral and written text (e.g., cohesion)
 The use of semantics and pragmatics in determining meaning in connected discourse
 Sociolinguistic concepts (e.g., dialect diversity in English; factors that affect language variation, register, and
style; intercultural differences in communication styles)
Course Methods: This course will be focused on reading, completing assigned exercises, discussing and writing.
Students will read assigned texts for comprehension and retention. They will practice what they learn about language
structure by completing assigned homework exercises and will then engage in exploring larger issues concerning
language variation individually and corporately in written projects and oral discussions.
Course Texts: In addition to internet resources available publically and database articles available through the library,
this course has one text: Brown, Steven, Salvatore Attardo, and Cynthia Vigliotti. Understanding Language Structure,
Interaction, and Variation. 3rd ed. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2014. Print.
Course Requirements:
1. Attendance: In such an intense course, missing even part of one day’s session means missing significant
content and contributions. Attendance is mandatory. Absences will affect course performance and, therefore,
final grades.
2. Participation: This course will build on each day’s reading and assignments. Students should be prepared
with questions about what they did not understand and concepts that need further explanation.
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3. Homework: Students will be required to complete a series of homework assignments based on exercises and
responses to assigned readings. Those assignments are due at the beginning of the class period to which they
are assigned.
4. Exams: Students will have a midterm and a final exam. Midterm: February 25; Final Exam: Saturday, April
30 @ 8-11am
5. Field Research Project: Students will complete a field research project to collect samples of language
variation to further test hypotheses in the field. This project will include multiple parts: a proposal, statement
of research question, literature review, methodology, summary of findings, an analysis/discussion of findings,
and presentation. Due: April 21
Course Evaluations and Grades: Final grades for this course will be figured according to the following percentages:
Performance and Professionalism: 10%
Homework (Workbook Exercises and Reading Responses) and Quizzes: 10%
Exams: 40%
Field Research Project: 40%
Grading Scale:
A=90-100; B=80-89; C=70-79; D=60-69; F=0-59
Undergraduate Grading System: For final semester grades, the English Department adheres to the University’s
Undergraduate Grading System as described in the current catalog. According to that system:
 A is reserved for work which is definitely superior in quality.
 B is given for work which is consistently good and which manifests sufficient interest, effort, or originality to
lift it above average work.
 C is given for average work and shows that basic requirements in class assignments have been met.
 D earns credit but is below the standard required for graduation.
 F indicates failure and naturally carries no credit.
Attendance & Participation: Attendance is crucial to the success of this class, as the class will be based on student
discussion. Participation in such discussion will be recorded and will contribute to the student’s grade.
The English Department adheres to Mississippi College’s attendance policy as outlined in the current Undergraduate
Catalog:
Class attendance is an essential part of university education, and students are expected to attend regularly and
punctually all classes and laboratories for which they are registered. Cumulative absences may result in a lowered
grade or loss of credit for the course. Tardiness is also subject to penalty, as is any failure to complete required class
work on time. Although some specific requirements may vary according to the nature and structure of the course, the
following guidelines summarize university policy:
1. Class attendance is required, and accurate records are kept.
2. Students must not accumulate excessive absences. A student receives a grade of F in a course immediately
upon accumulating the following number of absences, whether excused or unexcused: 8 in semester classes
meeting 2 times per week.
For lesser numbers of absences, the student should expect a lowered grade in the course, with the maximum penalty of
one letter grade for each week of unexcused absences (in a semester) or the equivalent.
Absence Appeal. If a student misses more than the number of class periods specified in university policy and believes
that there are reasonable explanations for the absences, he/she may appeal the absences to the dean of the school in
which the course is being taught. Students may obtain a Student Absence Appeal Form from the office of the
appropriate dean.
Late Papers Policy: Assignments that are due in class (such as homework, in-class activities, and quizzes) will not be
accepted after the class’s regular meeting time unless a student has written documentation of an excused absence or
has notified the teacher beforehand.
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The English Department has established the following policy for late work submitted in upper-level and graduate
English courses:
No major papers or projects (final research project/presentation and exams) will be accepted after the
due date except in the case of your hospitalization or death of an immediate family member; you may appeal
your case, if necessary, to a departmental committee after filling out an appeals form available from the
department chair.
Grades for other assignments will be reduced (proposal and drafts) according to the following schedule:
 after time due and up to 24 hours late: one letter grade;
 after 24 hours and up to 48 hours late: two letter grades;
 after 48 hours and up to 72 hours late: three letter grades;
 after 72 hours, any paper turned in will be given an “F.”
Failure to turn in an assignment will result in a grade of zero on that assignment.
Academic Integrity & Civility: The English Department adheres to Mississippi College’s academic integrity policy
as outlined in the current Undergraduate Catalog:
Mississippi College students are expected to be scrupulously honest. Dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism, or
furnishing false information, including forgery, alteration or misuse of University documents, records or
identification, will be regarded as a serious offense subject to severe penalty, including, but not limited to, loss of
credit and possible dismissal. See the current Mississippi College Student Handbook or University Policy 2.19 for
specific information regarding penalties associated with dishonest behavior at Mississippi College.
Academic civility will be required, as students must show respect for their classmates during discussions. All cell
phones, pagers, I-pods, and other electronic devices should be turned off or silenced during class. There will be no
texting in class. If students are caught using these electronic devices during class, they will not receive any
participation points for that day.
Student Assistance:
A. Early Alert System
Mississippi College has adopted the practice of finding students early in the semester who may be exhibiting behaviors
that could ultimately have a negative impact on their academic progress. These behaviors are often called “red flag”
behaviors and include, but are not limited to, excessive absences, poor test grades, and lack of class participation or
evidence of non-engagement. Identifying these behaviors early gives the instructor the opportunity to raise the “red
flag” on behalf of a particular student so that the student can take the appropriate action to redirect his/her progress.
The system alerts the student, the student’s advisor, and the Office of Student Success.
These messages are intended to help a student recognize an area of concern and to encourage him/her to make some
choices to improve the situation. When a student receives an Early Alert message, the student should quickly make an
appointment to talk with his/her professor about the situation. Also, students can make full use of the Office of
Student Success to set academic goals and connect to campus resources.
B. Students with Disabilities
In order for a student to receive disability accommodations under Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act,
he or she must schedule an individual meeting with the Director of Student Counseling Services immediately upon
recognition of their disability (if their disability is known they must come in before the semester begins or make an
appointment immediately upon receipt of their syllabi for the new semester). The student must bring with them written
documentation from a medical physician and/or licensed clinician that verifies their disability. If the student has
received prior accommodations, they must bring written documentation of those accommodations (example
Individualized Education Plan from the school system). Documentation must be current (within 3 years).
The student must meet with SCS face-to face and also attend two (2) additional follow up meetings (one mid semester
before or after midterm examinations and the last one at the end of the semester). Please note that the student may also
schedule additional meetings as needed for support through SCS as they work with their professor throughout the
semester. Note: Students must come in each semester to complete their Individualized Accommodation Plan
(example: MC student completes fall semester IAP plan and even if student is a continuing student for the spring
semester they must come in again to complete their spring semester IAP plan). Student Counseling Services is located
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on the 4th floor of Alumni Hall or they may be contacted via email at mbryant@mc.edu . You may also reach them by
phone at 601-925-7790. Dr. Morgan Bryant is director of MC Student Counseling Services.
Performance and Professionalism:
At the end of the semester, your professor will review your daily work (including informal responses, drafts, and
other occasional daily assignments), along with your preparation for, engagement in, and contributions to the
class. She or he will then assign a “Performance and Professionalism” score, which reflects the overall
impression you presented during class. This score contributes up to ten points toward your final grade.
The following descriptions will help you understand how the Performance and Professionalism points are
determined:
Description
Points
EXCEPTIONAL: Consistently makes substantial contributions to class and is
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exceptionally engaged in class activities. Highly responsible and maintains
professional interactions with professor and other students. All work is of
exceptional quality, fully completed and submitted on time.
STRONG: Usually makes substantial contributions to class and is solidly
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engaged in class activities. Highly responsible and maintains professional
interactions with professor and other students. All work is high quality, fully
completed and submitted on time.
GOOD: Usually makes substantial contributions to class and is solidly engaged
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in class activities. Responsible and maintains professional interactions with
professor and other students. All work is good quality, fully completed and
submitted on time.
ACCEPTABLE: Occasionally makes useful contributions to class and is
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generally engaged in class activities. Usually responsible and professional in
interactions. Work is usually good quality, fully complete, and submitted on
time.
INCONSISTENT: Contributions to class and engagement in class activities
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may vary. Somewhat responsible and sometimes professional in interactions.
Work may vary in quality, completeness, and/or on-time submission.
WEAK: Contributions to class and participation in class activities are sporadic;
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not always responsible or professional in interactions. Work may vary in
quality, completeness, and/or on-time submission.
POOR: Is usually weak in contributing to class and/or disengaged in class
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activities. Not always responsible or professional in interactions. Work tends to
be below average quality and/or incomplete and/or late.
UNACCEPTABLE: Contributions to and participation in class may be very
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weak and/or work tends to be very low quality, late, or missing.
lower
Portfolio and Program Assessment: Students majoring in English with the Writing Concentration, as well as
Writing minors possibly interested in completing English 471, should retain electronic and hard copies of all
major essays/projects submitted for courses that count toward their major (or Writing minor). English 471 will
include a capstone portfolio project which will be built, in part, from papers completed for previous courses.
Note that student work may be retained and used by the English Department for the purposes of course and
program assessment and improvement. Individual student work will not be published by the department without
the student’s permission.
Writing Center Tutoring: The MC Writing Center offers sessions by appointment and on a walk-in basis. Students
can also sign up for standing, weekly appointments with a specific tutor. Stop by the Writing Center on the first floor
of Leland Speed Library, visit mc.mywconline.com, or call 601-925-7289 to schedule your appointment.
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