BAD GRAMMAR AND METALINGUISTIC AWARENESS
Explores the relationship between descriptive and prescriptive grammar. Examines the role of prescriptivism in linguistics from a disciplinary view (why are linguists against it when the public is so clearly interested in singling out some constructions as 'bad grammar'). Provides a historical view (the tradition of grammar writing -- who gets to decide what is 'correct') and a variationist view (corpus-based studies on phenomena like preposition stranding, split infinitives, the distinction of who/whom etc.) of grammar writing. Covers the historical and cultural roots of beliefs about what constitutes 'good' and 'bad' grammar. Introduces linguistic tools and methods to check claims about grammar.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Sophomore standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Humanities & Arts Breadth - Humanities or Social Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2025 Learning Outcomes: 1. understand the difference between prescriptive and descriptive approaches to grammar Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. formulate and test hypotheses about English grammar with data-based tools and methods Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. design and present a research project on grammar variation and change Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. understand the difference between prescriptive and descriptive approaches to grammar Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. formulate and test hypotheses about English grammar with data-based tools and methods Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. design and present a research project on grammar variation and change Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027