Entry requirements

English B, Civics A

Learning outcomes

Aims and Learning Outcomes: Upon completing the course students will have a good knowledge of both practical grammar and grammatical terminology and have insights into pronunciation rules and the relationship between spelling and pronunciation. Students will further be able to communicate well and idiomatically correctly both in speech and writing. Students will also have acquired a basic knowledge of linguistic concepts and theories. Students will also be able to read and analyse literature written in English. Students will also have acquired a basic knowledge of British and American social conditions.

The goals for each course component are given below.

Component 1. Language structure (7 credits)

Upon completing the component students will be able to:

• identify and apply basic grammatical terminology
• identify and analyse grammatical structures, especially those that differ between English and Swedish, and be able to use them
• give an account of the English sound system and its patterns of stress and intonation
• show a knowledge of differences in spelling, pronunciation, and other distinctive features between British and American English
• demonstrate a broad vocabulary of academic English, which is shown in oral and written production, and show a knowledge of word formation
• use relevant lexical reference works.

Component 2. Academic writing in English (6 credits)

Upon completing the component, the student will be able to:

• write coherent prose in English without a great number of errors
• structure ideas logically both orally and in writing
• adapt the text to formal stylistic levels
• independently revise a written assignment after receiving criticism
• perform critical readings of and comment on others students' texts.

Component 3. Introduction to English linguistics (5 credits)

Upon completing the component students will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the subject area of linguistics and its main foci
• show a basic knowledge of the sound system of the English language
• show a basic knowledge of linguistic theories in phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, discourse analysis, socio-linguistics, and first and second language acquisition
• apply linguistic analytical methods on English texts.

Component 4. Literature (8 credits)

Upon completing the course students will be able to:

• show a good ability to read literary texts in English
• present analyses and interpretations of literary texts in English, both orally and in writing, in correct English
• use established critical terminology in analysing literary texts
• provide support for their interpretation of a text with references to the text
• show an awareness of the importance of the gender perspective in interpreting a text.
• place a text in its socio-cultural context.

Component 5. Society (4 credits)

Upon completing the course students will be able to:

• give an account of how historical developments from the Renaissance onwards have affected the present-day United Kingdom and United States
• demonstrate a basic knowledge of modern English-speaking societies with an emphasis on the United Kingdom and the United States
• analyse and see connections between various aspects of American and British societal life
• give an account of the above knowledge both orally and in writing.

Content

The course consists of five components.

Component 1. Language structure, 7 credits

The module focuses on the construction of the language, its grammatical and phonetic structures, but translation is also covered.

Component 2. Academic writing in English, 6 credits

The component focuses on central aspects of writing in formal and academic contexts and offers students the possibility to practise their skills in formal writing. The components consists of two parts: a short and intensive part with several lectures and seminars (2 credits) and a longer part under supervision in small groups (4 credits).

Component 3. Introduction to English linguistics, 5 credits

Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. The component introduces and explains linguistic concepts and theories. Speech sounds are studied within phonetics. The structural building blocks and their importance for human languages are treated within phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. Models for how people interact by means of language are studied within pragmatics, discourse analysis and socio-linguistics. In addition, various types of language acquisition theories, within both first and second language acquisition are studied.

Component 4. Literature, 8 credits

The component is devoted to the reading and analysis of literature in English. The component consists of two parts, the first of which is common to all students. This part is an introduction to reading and interpreting various literary genres such as novels, short stories, poetry and drama (5 credits). The second part is a reading course where the student choose one of two themes (3 credits).

Component 5. Society, 4 credits

The component focuses on aspects of modern English-speaking societies with an emphasis on Great Britain and the USA.

Instruction

Instruction is normally given in the form of lectures and group instruction. Self-study is a prerequisite. Component 2 also involves supervision and review of practice essays.

Assessment

Examination in the various components is done by oral presentations, written assignments, and written final examinations. Grades used are either Fail, Pass, or Pass with Distinction. To receive a grade of Pass with Distinction for the whole course, students must have achieved the grade of Pass with Distinction in components worth a total of at least 18 credits Students who do not achieve a passing grade on the regular examination will have another opportunity to take the examination within a reasonable period of time after the regular examination.

Students who do not achieve a passing grade from continuous assessment may take the component again if a place is available. Active participation is obligatory in group instruction in all components. In case of absence students will be given the opportunity to complete an extra assignment within the framework of the course period.

Besides the regular examinations, all beginning students take an obligatory diagnostic test in English grammar for purposes of student guidance.

Other regulations

For admission to the course English HS2/T2, students must have at least a passing grade in three of the five components, and components 1 and 2 must be among them. Attendance is obligatory in group instruction in all components.

The course cannot be counted toward a degree together with the courses English A1, English LS, courses that are included in the course block Practical English (30 credits) or with courses in English for specific purposes (7.5 or 15 credits).

Results that are more than five years old are normally not recognised if the syllabus for the course component has been changed.

If the syllabus or course reading for a component has been changed, students have a right to be examined under the original syllabus and course reading on three occasions during the following three semesters. Normally this right then expires. Otherwise there are no limitations on the number of examination opportunities.

Transitional provisions

For transitional regulations in the case of changes in the syllabus, please contact the student adviser.