Syllabus - Introduction to Descriptive Linguistics

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Course Code/Title                                  : INTRODUCTION TO DESCRIPTIVE  LINGUISTICS

Prerequisite                                                                : ENG 1
Course Credit                                                             : 3 units

Course Description:

Provides an overview of linguistics as a discipline, its development, levels of structure, and its significance to English language teaching.

Course Objectives:

At the end of the semester, the students should be able to:

1. discuss the origin and nature of human language;
2. identify the different writing systems;
3. identify phones by their properties;
4. transcribe words using the International Phonetic Alphabet;
5. identify the different word formation processes;
6. diagram the structure of a sentence;
7. identify the types of word meaning;
8. give the meaning of expressions according to the context;
9. express their appreciation to the uniqueness of human language; and
10. to have integrated the PCU and CASTE values.

Course Outline:

TIME FRAME	CONTENT/SUBJECT MATTER
Week 1	I.    Introduction to the Course       A.  Getting to know the instructor, the students, and the course       B.   Distribution of course syllabus       C.   Introduction to Descriptive Linguistics
Week 2	II.   The origin of human language       --    Theories on the origin of human language
Week 3	III. The characteristics of human language       --    Human language vs. Animal communication Quiz 1
Week 4	IV. Graphology       --    Types of writing systems
Week 5	V.  Articulatory Phonetics       A.  The speech mechanism       B.   Places of articulation       C.   Manners of articulation   Quiz 2
Week 6	PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
Week 7-8	VI. Phonology       A.  Phones, Phonemes, and Allophones       B.   Minimal pairs and sets       C.   Phonotactics and syllables       D. Co-articulation processes   Quiz 3
Week 8-9	VII. Morphology       A.  Word-formation processes       B.   Kinds of morphemes Quiz 4
Week 9-11	VIII. Syntax       A.  Traditional grammar analysis       B.   Immediate constituent analysis       C.   Structural analysis       D.  Phrase structure rules       E.   Tree diagramming Quiz 5
Week 12	MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Week 13-15	IX. Semantics       A.  Conceptual and associative meaning       B.   Semantic roles       C.   Lexical relations Quiz 6
Week 16-17	X.  Pragmatics       A.  Context       B.   Reference and inference       C.   Presupposition       D.  Speech acts       E.   Politeness Quiz 7
Week 18	FINAL EXAMINATION

Textbooks/Materials:

Yule, G. (2007). The study of language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Crystal, D. (2005). How language works: How babies babble, words change meaning and languages love or die. Woodstock, NY: Overlook Press.

Fromkin, V., Rodman, R., & Hyams, N. (2010). Introduction to linguistics. Singapore: Cengage Learning Asia Pe. Ltd.

Guerrero, G. T. Instructional Minutes.  URL: http://instructionalminutes.blogspot.com. Label: “Linguistics”

Syllabus in Creative Writing

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Course Code/Title                                                      : CREATIVE WRITING

Prerequisite                                                                : ENG 2
Course Credit                                                             : 3 units

Course Description:

Provides a study of the forms of discourse stressing their essential features and characteristics; with a view of developing in the students the ability to write narrative, descriptive, expository, and argumentative compositions using representative reading selections as models.

Course Objectives:

At the end of the semester, the students should be able to:

1. describe what Creative Writing is;
2. describe the writing process;
3. write a narrative piece with a setting, characters, and a plot;
4. write descriptions of settings and characters within a narrative or as a stand-alone piece;
5. write an extended definition of an idea through an expository essay;
6. write an argumentative essay using the models provided; and
7. integrate the PCU and CASTE values.

Course Outline:

TIME FRAME	CONTENT/SUBJECT MATTER
Week 1	I.    Introduction to the Course       A.  Getting to know the instructor, the students, and the course       B.   Distribution of course syllabus       C.   Introduction to Creative Writing
Week 2-3	II.   The Writing Process       A.  Prewriting: Setting the limits             1. Choosing the topic             2. Brainstorming             3. Formulating a thesis statement       B.   Recognizing rhetorical patterns       C.   Outlining       D.  Drafting and revising
Week 4-5	III. Narration       A.  Elements of narration             1.   Characters & characterization             2.   Setting: Time and place             3.   Plot
Week 6	PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
Week 7-8	B.   Other elements             1.   Mood             2.   Tone             3.   Style             4.   Others       C.   Writing a narration
Week 9-11	IV. Description       A.  Subjective and objective description       B.   Structure of a descriptive essay       C.   Writing descriptive essays
Week 12	MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Week 13-15	V.  Exposition A.  Formal definition and extended definition B.   Structure of expository essays C.   Writing an expository essay
Week 16-17	VI. Argumentation       A.  Planning an argumentative essay       B.   Deductive and inductive arguments       C.   The Toulmin model       D.  Writing an argumentative essay
Week 18	FINAL EXAMINATION

Textbooks/Materials:

Manguerra Brainard, C. (2009). Fundamentals of creative writing. Manila: Anvil Publishing, Inc.

Toralba-Perez, A. (2001). Creative writing: What you need to know. Valenzuela: Omniscience Publishing.

Kirzner, L. G. & Mandell, S. R. (2001). Patterns for college writing: A rhetoric reader and guide. (8^th ed.) Boston/NY: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Guerrero, G. T. Instructional Minutes. URL: http://instructionalminutes.blogspot.com. Label: “Creative Writing”.

How Humankind was Created (Greek Mythology)

The account of the creation of the world was taken from the Theogony by Hesiod, a poor Greek farmer in the ninth or eighth century before Christ. He is perhaps the first writer in mythology to wonder about the origin of the universe and humankind. For the first part of the story, read How the World was Created.

The creation of Pandora. From left to right: Zeus, Hermes, Epimetheus, Pandora. (Image from HellenicaWorld.Com)

The ancient Greeks believed that the Earth was a flat, round disk. It was divided in the middle by the Mediterranean Sea (which literally means, ‘in the middle of the earth’). Around the disk of the Earth flowed the river Ocean. Beyond this river, in a place no one knew, lived the Cimmerians. They lived in a place of endless night, when the sun and the stars never shone and was always covered in mist. But in the North lived the Hyperboreans, an exceedingly fortunate people. Near them lived the Muses. In the South lived the Ethiopians, whom the gods visited during their banquets. Beyond Ocean’s banks too was the land of the blessed dead.

With the defeat of the monsters by the Gods, the Earth was now ready to be populated by human beings. One story states that the task of creating humans was delegated by the Gods to two Titans, the brothers Prometheus and Epimetheus. Epimetheus, whose name means ‘afterthought’, was one who had no thoughts about the future. He gave all the excellent characteristics to the animals, such as strength and speed, courage and cunning, wings, feather, fur, claws, teeth, shells, and fins. But when he began to create Man, there were no more good characteristics left. Man could not fly and was weaker than the animals. So Prometheus, whose name means ‘foresight’, took over the creation of Man. He gave man a more noble form than the animals: he was upright like the Gods. He also went to the Sun and gave man the gift of fire. With fire, Man became more powerful than the animals.

Another story states that it was the Gods who created Man. First was the Golden Race. These were mortal, but they were like the Gods. They lived without sorrow, toil, and pain. The land gave them everything they need: corn, fruits, and flocks. They were beloved by the Gods. When they died, they became pure spirits, the guardians of Humankind.

The second race was the Silver Race. They were inferior from the Golden Race and had so little intelligence that they kept injuring one another. When they died, they did not become immortal spirits. Then came Brass Race. They were strong but they loved violence and war. But they were followed by a fourth race; godlike heroes that fought glorious wars and went of great adventures. People ever since have sung stories about them. Then they finally departed to the isles of the blessed to live in perfect bliss forever.

The fifth race came upon the Earth called the Iron Race. They were inferior from all the other races. They loved evil grew more and more evil as generations passed. It is said that when Man has stopped from being ashamed for their wicked ways, Zeus will come and destroy them.

* * *

All the humans that were created by Prometheus or the Gods were all Men. There were no women. It was said that Woman was created by Zeus as revenge against Prometheus from stealing fire from the Gods. Prometheus also tricked Zeus in choosing the worst parts of animals as offerings. Prometheus wrapped the good meat with entrails while the bones he wrapped with fat. Zeus chose the bones with fat. Hence bones and fat were to be offered to the Gods while Man got the meat.

So Zeus decided to take revenge upon the creation of Prometheus, Man. He created a Woman and had all the other Gods give her all good gifts. Hence she was called Pandora, the ‘Gift of All’ the Gods.

Then the Gods gave Pandora a box in which they have put all sort of evil into, and forbade her from ever opening it. Then they gave her to Epimetheus, even though his brother Prometheus warned him from ever accepting a gift from the Gods. But Epimetheus did not listen. One day, Pandora was overcome with curiosity to peek into the box. All of the evils—plague, sorrow, mischief, and many others— flew out of the box. By the time Pandora shut the lid, only one thing was left in the box, the only good thing—Hope. Hence Mankind learned it was impossible to defeat or deceive Zeus. Yet it is that one thing, Hope, which was his comfort in all of life’s misfortunes.

Pandora opens the box. (Image from HellenicaWorld.Com)

Finally, Zeus took vengeance on Prometheus himself. He had his servants Force and Violence seize Prometheus and chain him on the Caucasus Mountains. Zeus sent Hermes to extract from him a secret. There was a prophecy that Zeus will have a son that will overthrow him and the Gods. Only Prometheus knew the identity of this child but he refused to speak. Thus an eagle would come and eat his liver. At night the eagle would leave and his liver would regrow. But the eagle would come back the next day to eat his liver again. Still Prometheus refused to reveal the identity of this child.

"Prometheus Bound", painting by Jordan Jordaens. (Image from HellenicaWorld.Com)

After a long time, an immortal Centaur named Chiron offered himself as a substitute for Prometheus. Somehow Zeus accepted this substitution. Then Hercules, a son of Zeus, slew the eagle and set Prometheus free. But Prometheus never revealed to Zeus the identity of the son who would overthrow him.

The Great Race - How the Chinese Zodiac was Created

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A long, long time ago, there was no concept of time. People wanted to mark the passage of time but did not know how. So they asked the Jade Emperor for his wisdom. After deliberating for a long time, he decided that the years who be named after twelve animals. So he decreed that a river crossing race be held to determine which of the animals would be those used to name the years after.

On the day of the race, all sort of animals arrived to participate. The Cat and the Mouse (or Rat), who were the best of friends, discussed on how to win the race. Since they were both poor swimmers, they asked the help of the Ox, who was one of the best swimmers. The good-natured but naïve Ox agreed to take them both on his back.

When the race began, the Ox, being a good swimmer took an early lead. But the mouse, who was cunning and selfish, secretly wanted to cross the finish line first. So when they got into the middle of the river, the Mouse suddenly pushed the Cat off the Ox’s back. As the Ox was nearing the finish line on the other side of the river, the Mouse jumped off the Ox’s back, which made him the first animal to finish. The Ox came in second.

Meanwhile, the Tiger came in third. He explained to the Jade Emperor that the heavy currents kept pushing him down the river. But because of his strength, he was able to cross the river.

Next came the Rabbit in fourth place. He was able to cross the river by jumping on the heads of the other animals. But because he ran too fast, he hit his mouth on a tree, causing him to have huge front teeth.

After the Rabbit, the Dragon came in fifth place. He should have placed earlier but because he was busy in making thunder and lightning, he became deaf; so he was not able to hear the start of the race.

The Snake came in sixth while the Horse came in seventh. In order to defeat the Horse, the Snake scared him and overtook him. But the Snake ran so fast that his four legs broke off, leaving him legless.

The Sheep (or Goat or Ram), and the Monkey, and the Rooster decided to help each other cross the river. The Sheep sat on the back of the Monkey who in turn rode on the Rooster’s back. While they were crossing on a raft, the Sheep, who was serving as a lookout, saw the Dog playing in the river and scolded him severely. The Sheep overstrained his eyes looking at the Dog so he became nearsighted. Because he had been sitting for so long, the Monkey’s behind became permanently red. The Rooster, who originally had four legs, had two of his legs crushed because he had been supporting the Monkey and the Sheep for so long. The Sheep arrived on eighth place, the Monkey on ninth, and the Rooster on tenth. The Dog finished next to the last but he didn’t care.

The Pig (or Boar) arrived last because he decided to eat and take a nap first before participating in the race. When he crossed the finish line, he asked the Jade Emperor for more food; making him the laughingstock of all the other animals.

The Cat was finally able to cross the river but it was too late. He would never be included in the Chinese Zodiac. This made him very angry so he told his children what the Mouse did to him. Henceforth, the Cat and the Mouse became mortal enemies. The Mouse, aware of his wrongdoing, hid in dark places because of his guilt.

(Image via Hutong-School.Com)

R E F E R E N C E S

Daniels, R., rev. by Haiyan Situ. (1993, 2003). Making out in Chinese (rev. ed.). Singapore: Berkeley Books Pte Ltd.

“The Chinese Zodiac”. Wikipedia. Accessed: November 23, 2013, Retrieved: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac.

Introduction to Mythology - Gods in the Image of Man

A detail of the creation of Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michaelangelo.

The Bible teaches us that human beings were created in the image of God. “And God said: 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26).  Both Judaism and Christianity teach that God does not have a physical image because he is a spirit. Hence, it is forbidden to make idols to represent God. The religions of the neighboring peoples in Canaan and even neighboring nations like Egypt and Babylon are depicted as idols. But the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob alone is not represented by any image.

The ancients created gods and goddesses in the image of creation. For example in Egyptian mythology, the gods were depicted as human beings or half-human half-animal. This is perhaps to imbue the god with the power and attributes of the animals in which they were created.

(All of the following images are from Wikipedia.)

Anuket, the goddess of the Nile, is represented in the form of a human female; perhaps as a personification that the river is the “mother” of civilization.

Anubis, the god of the dead, is represented by the jackal, seen as a scavenger of dead bodies.

Atum, the finisher of creation, is depicted as a man.

Bastet, the goddess of cats, has the head of a cat. Cats are revered as gods among the ancient Egyptians.

Hapi is the god of floods. He brings crops with him because when the Nile overflows its banks, it irrigates the fields.

Hathor is the goddess of love, beauty, motherhood, foreign lands, and music.

 Horus, the god of war, the sky, and protection, is depicted as a high-flying falcon.

 

Isis, the mother god, is the goddess of motherhood, fertility, and magic.

Khepri, the god of sunrise and rebirth, is represented as a dung beetle. It rolls dung into a ball, symbolizing the sun.

Khnum, the god of the waters and creation, has the head of a goat.

Khonsu, the god of the moon and youth, wears the moon on his head.

Maat is the goddess of truth and justice.

Meretseger, the goddess of tomb builders, is represented by a snake.

Meskhenet is the goddess of childbirth. She wears a cow’s uterus on her head.

Monthu, the god of warfare, valor, and the sun. He is also depicted as a falcon.

Mut, the lady of heaven, is the goddess of queens.

The sun-god Ra is also a falcon, with the sun on his head.

Taweret, the goddess of childbirth, is depicted as a hippopotamus.

Sekhmet, the goddess of war, vengeance, fire, and also of medicine and healing, is represented the fiercest of hunters, the lioness.

Set, the god of the desert, is depicted as a jackal or wolf.

 

 Meanwhile, the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology were created in the image of man. To the Greeks, the human being is the most perfect of all creation. 

Zeus is the king of the gods, the god of sky and thunder. But he is also depicted as a womanizer. (“Power is the greatest aphrodisiac.”) This is a result of the spread of the cult of Zeus. When Zeus is introduced to a city, he is assimilated into whoever the ultimate male deity was. This also includes that deity’s wife.

Hera is the queen of the gods and the wife of Zeus. She always opposes Zeus and is always suspicious of his motives. She is depicted as a vengeful woman, making the women linked with her husband suffer.

Poseidon is the god of the sea. He is the patron god of Greece who were great seafarers and lovers of the sea.

Hades is god of death and the underworld. With him is his three-headed dog, Cereberus.

Pallas Athena, the goddess of wisdom, sprung from the head of Zeus himself. She alone is entrusted to wear his helmet, the Aegis, and wield his thunderbolt.

Phoebus Apollo is the god of the sun and also of the truth, because nothing escapes from the eye of the sun. He is also the god of music, with the lyre which is a gift from Hermes.

Artemis is the goddess of the hunt when she is on earth. In the sky, she is Selene or Cynthia, the goddess of the moon. Under the earth, when the moon is hidden, she is Hecate, the goddess of darkness.

Aphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty.

Hermes is the messenger of the gods, wearing winged sandals to make him faster than the wind. He is the god of medicine, represented by his staff, the Caduceus. He is also the god of the marketplace, and strangely, of thieves.

Ares is the god of war.

 

The lame god Hephaestus is the blacksmith of the gods, maker of weapons and armor.

Hestia is the goddess of the hearth (fireplace), making her a household goddess.