Chapter references are to Graddol, Leith, and Swann. Readings are listed for the week they will be discussed.

August 26, What is language, and why and how do we study its history?

• Reading: ch. 1

September 2, English sounds and letters

• Readings: ch. 1 A, C

September 9, Our Old English roots

• Readings: ch. 3 (and another summary here and here; ch. 2 to pg. 59

September 16, Middle English

• Readings: ch. 3 (41-80); also ch. 2 59-64

September 23 Modernity and the Rise of a National Language

• Readings: ch. 4 (including readings A and B); also ch. 2, pg. 64 ff.

September 30, English Abroad: Colonial to Post-Colonial English

• Readings: ch. 5; reading B in chapter 2

October 7, Midterm Exam, first hour. Post Exam Stress Relief, Second Hour.

October 14, Variation in English Grammar

• Readings: ch. 6--don't read the chapter's readings at the end; consult this list instead. Here's the summary of "White English in Blackface"; here is the summary of "Rednecks, Hillbillies and Southern Belles.

October 21, Variation in Grammar, continued

• Readings: ch. 6

October 28, Variation in the Sounds of English

• Readings: ch. 7

November 4, Style Shifting

• Readings:ch 8--see summaries here of part 1 and part 2 and Gilyard, on electronic reserve and also available at the circulation desk reserve

November 11, Style Shifting, continued

November 18, Good and Bad English: Who Decides?

• Readings: ch. 9, for which we have two summaries: summary 1, summary 2

November 25, Thanksgiving Holiday

December 2, Poster Night: Final Projects Due

December 9, Conclusions, Questions, Reviews

December 16, Final Exam, 5:45