ENG2152 – Varieties of English Texts
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course gives an introduction to discourse analysis, a discipline that examines patterns of language across texts and the functions of texts in their social and cultural contexts. The emphasis is on how various types of text resemble or differ from each other in terms of vocabulary, grammar, cohesion and stylistic features. The coursework involves the analysis of concrete texts, with special focus on conversational speech and literary, journalistic and academic writing. An important aim is to increase your awareness of linguistic and stylistic features of text types and the reasons for the variation between them. Such an awareness will be useful in further work with text, for example in writing, reading, editing and teaching.
Learning outcome
After completing this course you will be able to:
- analyse linguistic, stylistic and situational features of texts and text types
- discuss major differences between spoken and written English
- compare the ways in which different kinds of texts are constructed to communicate the intended message
- describe reasons why linguistic form varies across text types.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
The course requires ENG1100 – English Grammar / ENG100L or similar knowledge.
Recommended previous knowledge
The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with ENG4152 – Varieties of English Texts.
- 10 credits overlap with ENG2152 – Varieties of English Texts.
Teaching
Seminar, two hours per week for 14 weeks, 28 hours in total.
Students are expected to attend all teaching. The quality of the teaching depends on active participation in all seminars.
Obligatory activities:
- Students are required to hand in two obligatory assignments in order to qualify for the exam. Information about deadlines will be given at the start of the course. Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements. Information about guidelines for obligatory activities.
- It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you have to attend 8 of 14 seminars. The requirement is absolute.
The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.
If the course has in-person teaching, and you are signed up for an in-person seminar group, you are to attend the teaching in the location found in the schedule.
If the course has digital teaching, and you are signed up for a digital seminar group, you must attend via Zoom with your camera on.
In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for special needs accomodations.
Read more about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements.
Fulfilled course requirements are only valid the semester you attend the course.
Examination
The obligatory requirements must be fulfilled in order to qualify for the exam.
There will be a 4-hour written exam at the end of the term.
Examination support material
An online?English-English dictionary will be made available in the digital examination system Inspera.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
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.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.