Spring 2017
Damen
Latin and Greek Elements in English
For more information, see the class web site at
http://www.usu.edu/markdamen/Wordpower/syllabus/coursedescription.htm
CLAS/HIST 1120
Monday 5:15-7:45
Distance Education 211
Mark Damen ([email protected])
Main 307
Office Hours: MWF 1:30-2:30; and by app’t.
Text: Donald M. Ayers, English Words from Latin and Greek Elements (2nd ed.)
Username/Password. Please record the following username and password to access the course
web site (http://www.usu.edu/markdamen/Wordpower/syllabus/coursedescription.htm):
Username: ______________________
Password: _________________________
Purpose: The purpose of this course is at once theoretical and applied. At the same time that
you are increasing your understanding of English vocabulary by pursuing its historical roots, you
will also enhance your knowledge of ancient western civilization by examining how it evolved
through the perspective of language and linguistic change. Along with discussions and exercises
about English words of classical origin, there will be presentations on Greek, Roman and
medieval English history, the development of American English, culture and metaphor, and other
topics relating to language evolution. Analysis of words will be based on sentences drawn from a
wide range of English authors from the sixteenth century on.
Tests and exercises will ask you to demonstrate:
 awareness of language use spanning the modern and pre-modern eras;
 understanding of the processes and principles affecting and effecting linguistic change;
 knowledge of the classical word elements which underlie modern English vocabulary;
 the ability to analyze particular English words built on Latin and Greek roots;
 how these principles have been expressed in western thought and literature.
Grades. Five quizzes and two tests constitute the final grade in this class:
5 Quizzes (100 points each)
1 Midterm (Test #1)
1 Final (Test #2)
TOTAL
500 points
200 points
300 points
--------------1000 points
1
Grades will be assigned on a standard percentage curve (1000-900 A; 900-800 B; 800-700 C;
700-600 D; below 600 F). A plus sign (+) will added to grades in the top 20% of a grade range
(i.e., 900-880 B+; 800-780 C+; 700-680 D+), and a minus sign (-) to grades in the bottom 20%
(i.e., 920-900 A-; 820-800 B-; 720-700 C-). All tests and quizzes are cumulative, although
quizzes will generally focus on newly acquired material. Missed tests and quizzes will count as
zeroes. Make-ups will be given only (1) with proof of a valid excuse, (2) with prior notification
and (3) on the condition that the test/quiz is made up within a week of the original test/quiz date.
Homework should be done independently; after all, that's the way you will be doing your tests.
Incompletes will not normally be given. To ensure the accuracy of record-keeping, students are
strongly encouraged not to discard any records of graded work. No finals will be given before or
after the scheduled time.
Course Structure. The course consists of fifteen weekly units. See the Syllabus for a day-byday breakdown of the course work. Please bring your textbook to class always.
MODULE DATE
CONTENT
READING
QUIZ/TEST
------------------------ LATIN SECTION (Modules 1-4)-----------------------1
January 9


Introduction to the Course
Indo-European Linguistics and
the History of the English
Language
Parts of Speech
Ayers 1-14
Ayers 15-56

Lessons 1-6: Latin Bases and
Prefixes
Linguistic Terminology
January 23


Catch-up
Review for Quiz 1
January 30


Lessons 7-13: Latin Bases and
Adjective-forming Suffixes
Semantic Change
February 6



Catch-up
Review for Quiz 2
Metaphors
February 13

Lessons 14-20: Latin Bases and
Noun-forming Suffixes
Semantic Change (cont.)

January 17
2
3


2
QUIZ 1
Ayers 57-89
QUIZ 2
Ayers 90-119
MODULE
DATE
3
February
21
4
February 27
CONTENT





READING
QUIZ 3
Catch-up
Review for Quiz 3
American English
Lessons 21-25: Latin
Words/Phrases
Review for Midterm
QUIZ/TEST
Ayers 120142
MIDTERM
****************** Spring Break (March 6-10) *****************
----------------------- GREEK SECTION (Modules 5-7)----------------------5
6
7
March 13

Ayers 158196

Lessons 1-6: Words from Greek
History and Mythology
Greek Bases and Prefixes
March 20



Catch-up
Review for Quiz 4
Grimm’s Law
March 27


Lessons 7-13: Greek Bases and
Suffixes
Words from Idiomatic Sources
April 3



Catch-up
Review for Quiz 5
Special Lecture
April 10

Lessons 14-19: Greek Bases and
Suffixes
Words from Idiomatic Sources
Ayers 231256
Ayers 257280

April 17


Catch-up
Lessons 20-25: Medical and
Scientific Terminology
April 24



Review for the Final Exam
Wordplay
Neologisms
3
QUIZ 4
Ayers 196231
QUIZ 5
FINAL
Quizzes/Tests. All quizzes and tests will be taken on line via Canvas. They are timed, closedbook (no notes or textbook) and non-repeatable. Students will have a half hour to complete
quizzes, one hour for the midterm and two hours for the final. The content and nature of quizzes
and tests are outlined in detail on the course web site. It’s your obligation to find a USU testing
center or USU-approved proctored site where you can take the quiz or test.
Dates for Quizzes and Tests. Below are the dates for the quizzes and tests. Students may
take these online quizzes and tests at any time during the periods specified below. Be aware
that the deadlines for completing these examinations are set at midnight on the last day the
exam is open but in reality these deadlines may be sooner, depending on which testing
facility you choose to use and how long it stays open that day.







Quiz 1 (Latin Chapters 1-6, Ayers pp. 1-56)
Quiz 2 (Latin Chapters 7-13, Ayers pp. 57-89)
Quiz 3 (Latin Chapters 14-20, Ayers pp. 90-116)
Test 1 (Midterm, Latin Chapters 1-25, Ayers, pp. 1-155)
Quiz 4 (Greek Chapters 1-6, Ayers pp. 158-196)
Quiz 5 (Greek Chapters 7-13, Ayers pp. 196-231)
Test 2 (Final, All Chapters, Ayers, pp. 1-290)
Jan. 24-27
Feb. 7-10
Feb. 21-24
Mar. 3-10
Mar. 21-24
Apr. 4-7
Apr. 28 - May 3
Drills. There are two types of Drill in the course: Lesson Drills and Quiz/Test Drills (Quizzes,
Midterm, Final). There is bonus credit attached to Lesson Drills, not to Quiz or Test Drills. All
Drills are repeatable and will remain open so you can use them to review course material at any
time during the term. On Drills you will be asked to define or identify items which have been
assigned to be memorized. Lesson Drills focus on the material in individual chapters or small
groups of chapters. Quiz and Test Drills cover the material which will appear on a quiz or test.
Bonus Credit. Each Lesson Drill carries the potential of earning up to 1-4 points of
credit which will be added to your next Quiz or Test score. Lesson Drills are repeatable,
open-book and timed. Only the highest score will be recorded. They must be completed
by the deadline posted for each Lesson Drill. Bonus credit will be applied to the next quiz
or test and can take that quiz or test up to full credit but not over. Scores on Lesson Drills
after the deadline will not count toward bonus credit.
Study Habits. Because this is a class that requires a good deal of memorization, it is imperative
that you keep up with assignments. Cramming leads directly to failure. See me immediately if
you are having troubles staying up with the class. I mean this. I am ready and willing to help you,
but I can do nothing if you do not come to me first. Use your tuition dollars wisely and see me if
you think I can help.
4
Academic Integrity. For matters relating to Academic Integrity (cheating, plagiarism and the
unlikeable like), please see Article VI of the Student Code (http://www.usu.edu/
studentservices/studentcode/article6.cfm). Academic dishonesty in any form will be prosecuted
to the fullest extent possible. Do your own work.
Students with ADA-documented physical, sensory, emotional or medical impairments may be
eligible for reasonable accommodations. Veterans may also be eligible for services. All
accommodations are coordinated through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) in Room 101 of
the University Inn, (435)797-2444 voice, (435)797-0740 TTY, (435)797-2444 VP, or toll free at 1800-259-2966. Please contact the DRC as early in the semester as possible. Alternate format
materials (Braille, large print or digital) are available with advance notice.
5
CLAS/HIST 1120
Syllabus
Spring 2017
Below is a day-by-day outline of course activities. Class presentations are italicized. Please do
the readings in the right column and the exercises and exams in the center column before or
shortly after the date on the left. All drills and quizzes are available on Canvas. Assignments
refer to page numbers in the textbook (Ayers). An asterisk indicates a Bonus Credit assignment,
but to receive credit the assignment must be completed by the date on the left.
Date
M Jan 9
T Jan 17
Class Presentations/On-Line Activity
INTRODUCTION TO THE CLASS
▪ Class Presentation: Introduction to the Course
▪ Class Presentation: Parts of Speech
▪ Class Presentation: A Brief History of English
MODULE 1: LATIN LESSONS 1-6
▪ On-line Presentation: Latin Lessons 1-2
▪ Linguistic Terminology
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lesson 2 (Bases)
Assignment
read 1-14
read 15-34
There is no class meeting on Jan. 16 (MLK day); all presentations for this week are available on-line:
http://www.usu.edu/markdamen/Wordpower/syllabus/syllabus.htm
H Jan 19
▪ On-line Presentation: Latin Lessons 3-4
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lessons 3-4 (Bases)
read 35-46
S Jan 22
read 46-56
T-F Jan 24-27
▪ On-line Presentation: Latin Lessons 5-6
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lessons 3-5 (Prefixes)
▪ Class Presentation: Catch-up and Review
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lessons 5-6 (Bases)
▪ Quiz Drill: Latin Lessons 1-6 (Prefixes, Bases,
Linguistic Terms)
▪ QUIZ 1
M Jan 30
W Feb 1
F Feb 3
MODULE 2: LATIN LESSONS 7-13
▪ Class Presentation: Latin Lessons 7-13
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lesson 7 (Bases)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lessons 8-9 (Bases)
M Jan 23
T Jan 24
S Feb 5
M Feb 6
T Feb 7
T-F Feb 7-10
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lessons 10-11 (Bases
▪ Class Presentation: Catch-up and Review
▪ Class Presentation: Metaphors
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lessons 12-13 (Bases)
▪ Quiz Drill: Latin Lessons 7-13 (Bases, Suffixes,
Linguistic Terms)
▪ QUIZ 2
6
read 57-60
read 60-70
read 70-82
read 82-89
Date
Class Presentations/On-Line Activity
MODULE 3: LATIN LESSONS 14-20
▪ Class Presentation: Latin Lessons 14-20
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lesson 14 (Bases)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lessons 15-16 (Bases)
M Feb 13
W Feb 15
F Feb 17
S Feb 19
T Feb 21a
a
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lessons 17-18 (Bases)
▪ Class Presentation: Catch-up and Review
▪ Class Presentation: American English
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lessons 19-20 (Bases)
▪ Quiz Drill: Latin Lessons 14-20 (Bases, Suffixes,
Linguistic Terms)
Assignment
read 90-94
read 94-101
read 101-112
read 112-119
Our normal Monday class meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 5:15-7:45 pm
T Feb 21-24
M Feb 27
W Mar 1
F Mar 3
F-F Mar 3-10
M Mar 13
W Mar 15
F Mar 17
S Mar 19
M Mar 20
T Mar 21
T-F Mar 21-24
▪ QUIZ 3
MODULE 4: LATIN LESSONS 21-25
▪ Class Presentation: Latin Lessons 21-25
▪ Class Presentation: Review for the Midterm
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lesson 21 (Bases)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lessons 8-21 (Suffixes)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lessons 22-23 (Bases)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lesson 24 (Bases)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lesson 25 (Phrases)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Latin Lesson 25 (Abbreviations)
▪ Midterm Drill: Latin Lessons 1-25
▪ MIDTERM EXAM (TEST 1)
MODULE 5: GREEK LESSONS 1-6
▪ Class Presentation: Greek Lessons 1-6
▪ *Lesson Drills: Greek Lessons 1-2 (Terms from Greek
Mythology and History)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lessons 3-4 (Bases)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lessons 4-6 (Prefixes)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lessons 5-6 (Bases)
▪ Class Presentation: Catch-up and Review
▪ Class Presentation: Grimm’s Law
▪ Quiz Drill: Greek Lessons 1-6 (Bases, Prefixes, Terms
from Mythology and History)
▪ QUIZ 4
7
read 120-124
read 124-142
read 158-178
read 178-187
read 187-196
Date
M Mar 27
W Mar 29
F Mar 31
S Apr 2
M Apr 3
Class Presentations/On-Line Activity
MODULE 6: GREEK LESSONS 7-13
▪ Class Presentation: Greek Lessons 7-13
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lesson 7 (Bases)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lessons 8-9 (Bases)
T-F Apr 4-7
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lessons 10-11 (Bases)
▪ Class Presentation: Catch-up and Review
▪ Class Presentation: Special Lecture
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lessons 12-13 (Bases)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lessons 8-13 (Suffixes)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lessons 9-13 (Idiomatic
Sources)
▪ Quiz Drill: Greek Lessons 7-13 (Bases, Suffixes,
Terms from Idiomatic Sources)
QUIZ 5
M Apr 10
W Apr 12
F Apr 14
MODULE 7: GREEK LESSONS 14-25
▪ Class Presentation: Greek Lessons 14-19
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lesson 14 (Bases)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lessons 14-16 (Suffixes)
T Apr 4
S Apr 16
M Apr 17
W Apr 19
F Apr 21
M Apr 24
F Apr 28
F-M Apr 28May 1
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lessons 14-19 (Idiomatic
Sources)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lessons 15-17 (Bases)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lessons 18-19 (Terms)
▪ Class Presentation: Greek Lessons 20-25
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lesson 20 (Scientific Forms)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lesson 21 (Scientific Forms)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lesson 22 (Scientific Forms)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lesson 23 (Scientific Forms)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lesson 24 (Scientific Forms)
▪ *Lesson Drill: Greek Lesson 25 (Scientific Forms)
▪ Class Presentation: Review for the Final Exam
▪ Midterm Drill: Latin Lessons 1-25
▪ Final Drill: Greek Lessons 1-19
▪ FINAL EXAM (TEST 2)
8
Assignment
read 196-201
read 201-211
read 211-220
read 220-231
read 231-236
read 236-244
read 245-256
read 257-272
read 272-280