Entry requirements

Completed basic course English A1

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course students will have an enhanced knowledge of grammatical rules and structures and basic insights into linguistic terminology and into the history of the language from a linguistic perspective; a good knowledge of important aspects of present-day American and British society in a historical perspective; some knowledge of either American or British literature and basic insights into certain theories of literary criticism; the ability to compose a brief linguistic essay and independent literary analyses. Students will also have advanced their proficiency in written and spoken English to a level characterised by clear and natural communication, in speech and in writing, in largely correct English.

The goals for each course component are given below.

Component 1. Language structure (5 higher education credits)

Upon completing the component students will

• be able to demonstrate an enhanced knowledge of grammatical terminology and how it is identified and used

• be able to demonstrate knowledge of grammatical rules and structures and how they contrast between Swedish and English

• be able to demonstrate a greater knowledge of linguistic styles and norms

• be able to apply and explain grammatical rules and structures in guided and free production with greater certainty.

Component 2. Language communication (5 higher education credits)

Upon completing the component students will

• understand the importance of linguistic form, structure, and content in written communication

• be able to analyse texts written by others in terms of linguistic form, structure, and content

• be able to offer constructive criticism of texts written by others in terms of structure and content

• have developed their English vocabulary and stylistic competence

• have developed their ability to independently choose suitable essay topics.

Component 3. English linguistics (7 higher education credits)

Upon completing the component students will

• be able to demonstrate a knowledge of the history and development of the English language and of language families

• understand and be able to analyse developments in language history

• be able to demonstrate a knowledge of linguistic theories within pragmatics and second language acquisition

• understand and be able to analyse linguistic theories and phenomena within pragmatics and second language acquisition

• be able to demonstrate a knowledge of the usage of primary and secondary sources in composing a linguistic essay

• be able to compose a linguistic essay.

Component 4. Society (6 higher education credits)

Upon completing the component students will

• be able to demonstrate a good knowledge of important aspects of present-day American and British society

• be able to analyse various types of texts that illuminate important aspects of present-day American and British society

• be able to show an enhanced ability to give written and oral accounts of important aspects of present-day American and British society.

Component 5. American literature and culture (7 higher education credits)

Upon completing the component students will

• be able to show some familiarity with the intellectual and cultural background to a number of representative works from the 20th century

• be able to show an enhanced knowledge of literary genres

• be able to show basic insights into certain literary theories

• be able to demonstrate a good ability to ground a literary analysis in the text itself

• be able to demonstrate a good ability to perform close readings of works of fiction

• be able to demonstrate a good ability to present a literary analysis, orally and in writing

• be able to show some ability to make use of critical material

• be able to show an ability to summarise critical material in writing

• be able to demonstrate some ability to use secondary material in a written literary analysis

• have a greater ability to carry on a discussion in good English about literary works, orally and in writing.

Component 6. English literature and culture (7 higher education credits)

Upon completing the component students will

• be able to show some familiarity with the intellectual and cultural background to a number of representative works from the Renaissance to the 1920s

• be able to show an enhanced knowledge of literary genres

• be able to demonstrate basic insights into certain literary theories

• be able to demonstrate some ability to read texts from different historical periods

• have a good ability to ground a literary analysis in the text itself

• have a good ability to perform close readings of works of fiction

• have a good ability to present a literary analysis, orally and in writing

• have some ability to make use of critical material

• have a greater ability to carry on a discussion about literary works in good English, orally and in writing.

Content

The course comprises five components, one of which is offered in two specialisations.

Component 1. Language structure, 5 credits

Component 1, Language structure, deals with the structure of English The component is a systematic treatment of the structure of the English language with appurtenant terminology Grammar exercises and translation of normal prose texts are included. The primary focus is on grammatical elements that cause problems for Swedish-speaking students when they communicate in English. Some vocabulary study is involved.

Component 2. Language communication, 5 credits

Component 2, Language communication, is a course in essay writing. The component develops students' ability to express themselves linguistically. Vocabulary is developed in the direction of greater breadth and nuance, and structural and stylistic competencies are trained in written presentation, argumentation, and analysis. Also included are analysis and criticism of texts written by others in terms of linguistic form, structure, and content.

Component 3. English linguistics, 7 credits

Module 3, English linguistics, deals with certain areas within linguistics. The first half deals with English in a historical perspective. The component presents the major language families, the history of the English language, and some tendencies in present-day English. In this connection, the component deals with phonetics and phonology in British and American English as wells as some other varieties of English. Furthermore, concepts and theories within pragmatics and second language acquisition are treated. Introductory use of primary and secondary sources is included and how one writes an essay in linguistics.

Component 4. Society, 6 credits

Component 4, Society, is devoted to American and British society based on a few significant themes, which are adapted to current subjects in the public debate. Various types of texts are used to illustrate and discuss central societal issues.

Component 5. American literature and culture, 7 credits

Components 5, American literature and culture, and 6, English literature and culture, are alternative forms of one literature and culture component. The component deals with representative works of fiction from the 20th century to elucidate major themes in American literature during this period, but also aspects of American social conditions. Introductory use of literary theories and secondary sources is included.

Component 6. English literature and culture, 7 credits

Components 5, American literature and culture, and 6, English literature and culture, are alternative forms of one literature and culture component. The component deals with representative works of fiction from the Renaissance to the 1920s to elucidate major themes in English literature and culture against the background of intellectual and cultural developments. Introductory use of literary theories and secondary sources is included.

Instruction

Component 1 and components 3-6. Lectures and/or group instruction.

Component 2. Group instruction with some individual supervision.

Active participation in course seminars is obligatory. In cases of absence students will be given the opportunity to complete an extra assignment within the framework of the course period.

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 21 higher education 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 fail a certain examination twice have the right upon request, following consultation with the head of department, to have another examiner appointed.

Other directives

For admission to the course English C1 students must have at least a passing grade for the entire course.

The course cannot be counted toward a degree together with the courses English B2, B4, GLS2, GLS3, or HS2.

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.