Overall objectives:

1 - This course aims to provide students with all the required concepts at the level of an introductory course to English Linguistics, enabling them to acquire and apply basic knowledge of all the sub-disciplines of linguistics (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics), fundamental for the understanding of the English language.
2 - Students are equally expected to acquire the methodological and analytical instruments that will enable them to correctly apply that knowledge to practical situations.

Syllabus:

1 - 1.The Sounds: phonetics 1.1 The representation of speech sounds 1.2 Producing sounds 1.3 The classification of speech sounds
2 - 2.The sound system: phonology 2.1 Phonemes 2.2 The key to finding the order 2.3 Allophones 2.4 The syllable
3 - 3 The structure of words: morphology 3.1 Morphemes 3.2 Types of morphemes 3.3 Morphological analysis of words 3.4 Allomorphs 3.5 Inflection / derivation
4 - 4 The structure of sentences: syntax 4.1 Words and phrases 4.2 The functional level: subjects, objects, adverbials, predicates 4.3 The mapping of form and function
5 - 5.The meaning of words and sentences: semantics 5.1 ?Meaning?? Words, concepts, referents 5.2 Compositional and non-compositional meaning 5.3 The network: organising word meaning
6 - 6.Studying language in use: pragmatics 6.1 Expressing intentions 6.2 Understanding utterance meaning 6.3 Pragmatic principles
7 - 7. Extensions and applications 7.1 Historical linguistics 7.2 Sociolinguistics

Literature/Sources:

Fromkin, V., R. Rod man & N. Hyams , 2003 , An Introduction to Language , Thomson Heinle
Jones, D. , 1991 , English Pronouncing Dictionary , Cambridge U.P.
Plag, Ingo, Braun, Maria, Lappe, Sabine, Schramm, Mareile , 2007 , Introduction to English Linguistics, Mouton de Gruyter , Berlin and New York
Finch, Geoffrey , 1998 , How to study Linguistics , Macmillan,
Crystal, David , 1997 , A Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonology , Blackwell,
Fry, D.B , 1996 , The Physics of Speech , C.U.P.,
Graddol, David , 1996 , English, history, diversity and change , Routledge,
Katamba, Francis , 1989 , An Introduction to Phonology , Longman,
Lyons, John , 1991 , Introduction to Theoretical Linguistics , C.U.P.

Assesssment methods and criteria:

Classification Type: Quantitativa (0-20)

Evaluation Methodology:
Classes are of the expositive, theoretical-practical type. The presentation of the syllabus material is achieved through constant lecturer-student-lecturer interaction. Students will use a coursebook (Introduction to English Linguistics), alongside other texts deemed relevant. During class-meetings, they will carry out written exercises, through individual and group work, in order to consolidate the topic under discussion, to stimulate critical thinking, impartial analysis and clear presentation of results. Only English will be used for communication purposes. In terms of assessment, Assessment - Type A was chosen from the Assessment Regulation of Madeira University. Hence, students are assessed during the semester in two written partial exams (Exam 1: 50% + Exam 2: 50%), in which their acquisition of knowledge will be tested.