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COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1) Project (35%).
Students will design and pursue a project (paper, videotaped documentary, web site, art work)
related to any aspect of the use, form, or other features of the English language in any of its
historical periods (including the present). All projects must also be presented to the class.
Projects may be papers (analytical and/or research) tracing, describing, analyzing, and explaining
specific features of the language and their historical foundations (MLA format required of all
papers). Projects may also take the form of practical studies of or gathering and analyzing of data
on current usages of the language in specific contexts (for example, Creighton Student English,
slang, origins of words, peculiarities of pronunciantion, etc.). Projects addressing issues in
current phonology (the sound of the language) may want to make use of audio/video recordings
and may also be accompanied by a written paper. In general, students are encouraged to choose
material which is interesting and stimulating and should not feel limited to traditional academic
topics. Art works are acceptable provided they yield substantial insight into some aspect of the
language and its historical use. Projects may be undertaken individually or by groups (group
projects need to be substantial and extensive enough to justify the participation of two or more
people). All projects must be approved by the instructor and should go through the following
stages:
 Project Proposal/Description. Toward the middle of the term, students will submit to
the instructor a 1-2 page proposal describing the project they intend to pursue. The
proposal should make clear the specific object of study, the project's thesis or general
purpose, the materials and methods of analysis, as well as describe the final form/format
which the project will take (paper, videotape or print format, web site, documentary,
interviews, etc.)
 Project Presentatation. Toward the end of the semester, each student will make a
presentation to the class explaining and describing the nature and findings of her/his
project. Presentations should be well developed and illustrated with audiovisual materials
whenever relevant.
 Project Submission. Projects in final form must be turned in to the instructor at any time
after the in-class presentation but no later than the deadline specified in the Schedule
below. No late projects, revisions, or other changes will be accepted after the deadline.
2) Presentations (35%)
 Throughout the semester, students will take turns in making presentations on the topics
covered in the course. Students will be responsible for reading and researching the
assigned materials and presenting their findings to the class. In addition to reading the
specific assignments, students are encouraged to pursue relevant library research in order
to enrich their presentations. All presentations must strive to be interesting and engaging,
concentrating on the clear exposition of the highlights of the material and representative
illustrations, examples, and/or anecdotes. Sheer accumulation or listing of facts for their

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own sake should be avoided at all costs. Highly encouraged, whenever possible, is the
use of audiovisual materials (pictures, slides, videotapes, audio recordings, multimedia
computer presentations, etc.). All presentations will be followed by discussion and
question/answer periods. Presentations should be at least 20-30 minutes in length and can
take up to a maximum of one class period.
3) Other Performance (30%)
 Class participation, attendance, effort, attentiveness, preparation, responsibility, and, in
general, active and constructive involvement in all aspects of the course will be graded by
the instructor. Notice that any student missing more than 30% of class time may, at the
discretion of the instructor, fail the course.