Screen English
Summer 2012 Syllabus
Instructor: Anthony Schmidt
Email Address: anthony.teacher@yahoo.com
Homepage: http://www.anthonyteacher.com/2012s-screenenglish
Course Description
The goal of this course is to use the sitcom “Modern Family” to help improve your English.
This course will focus on learning and using phrasal verbs, with a minor focus on idioms. In
English, we use numerous phrasal verbs (which are a kind of idiom) in our normal,
everyday speech. In order to become proficient in English, knowledge of phrasal verbs is
very important. In addition, there will also be a small focus on listening skills.
Course Format
Each day, we will watch one episode of “Modern Family” with and without English
subtitles. We will watch each episode twice. During class, we will do several activities
related to the episode and then study the relevant phrasal verbs. Activities will include
listening comprehension, discussion, and language work. At the end of class, you will be
assigned several phrasal verbs. You must submit these verbs, (verb name, type, meaning,
example sentence) to our online phrasal verb dictionary. You will be responsible for
studying these phrasal verbs throughout the course.
Tentative Schedule
DAY
DATE
EPISODE
1
M 8/6
S01E01 – “Pilot”
2
T 8/7
S01E02 – “The Bicycle Thief”
3
W 8/8
S01E09 – “Fizbo”
4
Th 8/9
S02E03 – “Earthquake”
5
F 8/10
S02E05 – “Unplugged”
6
M 8/13
S02E06 – “Halloween”
7
T 8/14
S03E03 – “Phil on Wire”
!
W 8/15
No Class – Liberation Day
8
Th 8/16
S03E11 – “Lifetime Supply”
9
F 8/17
TBA
10
M 8/20
Conversation Day
Conversation Day
On Conversation Day, we will meet in groups of 2 or 3 at A Twosome Place on campus.
You will receive several phrasal verb cards. You must use these phrasal verbs with me in a
regular, casual conversation.
Phrasal Verb Reference Guide
A phrasal verb is an idiomatic expression that consists of a verb and a
preposition which modifies or changes the meaning; 'give up' is a phrasal
verb that means 'stop doing' something, which is very different from 'give'.
There are four kinds of phrasal verbs.
Intransitive (int)
These don't take an object.
Example: “They had an argument, but they've made up now.”
Nonseparable transitive (non)
The object must come after the preposition.
Example: “They are looking after their grandchildren.”
Separable obligatory transitive (sob)
The object must come between the verb and the particle:
Example: “The quality of their work sets them apart from their rivals.”
Separable optional transitive (sop)
The object may come between the verb and the particle, but doesn’t have
to:
Example: “We need to call off the show.” “We need to call the show off”
Objects
The object of a verb is created, affected or altered by the action of a verb
OR sensed by the subject of the verb.
Example: “I wrote a book.” – book is the object because the verb created it.
Example: “I saw the film.” – film is the object because it was sensed by the
subject (I).
Useful Abbreviations
Sb – somebody or someone
St – something
Useful Websites
 http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/phrasal-verbs/
 http://www.wiktionary.com
 http://www.englishpage.com/prepositions/phrasaldictionary.html