ENG4115 - Texture and Linguistic Structure
Course content
What makes us perceive coherence in texts? And what is the difference between a text and an arbitrary collection of sentences? Within Systemic-Functional Grammar such phenomena are studied as part of texture. The components of texture are cohesion, thematic structure, and information structure. All these are signalled in a text through lexicogrammatical choices.
Learning outcome
The course focuses on how texts are structured, how texture is created through lexicogrammatical choices and how texture is perceived on the basis of linguistic signals. The course also gives some attention to genre variation, particularly the study of academic texts.The theoretical framework is mainly systemic-functional grammar as developed by M.A.K. Halliday, but other approaches will also be relevant to the study of thematic structure and information structure. In addition practical text analysis will be an important part of the course.
Admission
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Admission to the master programs in language or LP.
Recommended previous knowledge
One of the following courses: ENG2151 - Systemic Functional Grammar, introduction, ENG2152 - Varieties of English Texts or equivalent background.
The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English.
Teaching
The course is taught throughout the semester with 2 hours per week, 28 hours in all. Half-way through the semester there is a period of one (autumn term) or two (spring term) reading weeks without teaching, to be used for individual study and work on assignments. 80% attendance is required.
Each student must present an article from or connected to the syllabus during the first half of the term. In addition, all students must carry out a text analysis to be presented orally in class in the second half of the term. In connection with the presentation, the student has to submit written documentation of the analysis in the form of notes and/or an outline for the presentation and a description of the results and the sources used.
Examination
The exam is a three-day take-home exam. In the assessment both content and language will be considered, as well as the appropriate presentation of quotations, references and linguistic examples.
The assignment will be published in Fronter, and must be submitted in Fronter as well. More information on submission procedures.
Previous exams: http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/hf/ilos/ENG4115/eksamensoppgaver/Eksamensoppgaver.xml
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
The results will be found on the StudentWeb within three weeks after the exam.
Explanations and appeals
You may request an explanation of your grades, and you may also appeal against your grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals.
Resit an examination
You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam.
Withdrawal from an examination
A student may sit this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do so in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit the exam.
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation
Feedback from our students is essential if we are to provide the best possible education. As a student at the University of Oslo you will be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses. Every time a course is given, we ask students to participate in mid-term evaluations, and periodically we ask them to participate in periodic evaluation of the course.