ENG4151 – Systemic Functional Grammar, introduction
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course introduces you to systemic functional grammar, which is a in which language is regarded as “a resource for making meaning”. Language is thus seen as a vehicle for communication between people in social and cultural contexts.
You will be introduced to the framework for analysing grammar and meaning along three dimensions:
- how language represents states and activities
- how language functions in interaction between people
- how information is structured in sentences and texts
Through both theoretical introductions and practical exercises, you will raise your awareness of how language users convey meaning through their choice of words and grammatical structures in specific situations. The coursework includes analyses of authentic texts.
Learning outcome
After completing this course you be able to:
- describe the lexical, grammatical and cohesive structures of texts
- account for the framework of systemic functional analysis
- explain how the resources of the English language are employed in different types of texts
- reflect on the relationship between the wording of a text and its communicative goals
- use the framework of systemic functional grammar to analyse and discuss a text with appropriate use of secondary sources
Admission
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.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English
Overlapping courses
10 credits overlap with ENG2151 – Systemic Functional Grammar, introduction (discontinued)
Teaching
Seminar, two hours per week for 14 weeks, 28 hours in all.
Obligatory activities:
- Attendance is obligatory at least 11 out of 14 seminars.
- The students must hand in 2 assignments during the course by set deadlines. Both assignments must be approved by the course teacher for the student to be able to take the exam.
- Additional absences must be justified to the exam coordinator. Read more about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for approved absences or postponements. Please note that absence exceeding 50 % of all seminars may not be approved, regardless of any excuses.
Examination
The exam consists of a three-day home exam.
The assignment will be published in Inspera, and must be submitted in Inspera.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
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.
The results will be available on the StudentWeb within three weeks after the exam.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Once the course requirements have been fulfilled, they remain valid for the current and the next two semesters that the course is taught.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.