SFE20409 English: Contrastive Analysis - Theoretical and Applied Perspectives on Languages in Contrast (Autumn 2010)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Compulsory in the English extension course; optional in the bachelor programme Society, Language and Culture.

Lecture Semester

English extension course: 1st term. Bachelor programme Society, language and culture: 3rd or 5th term.

Content

The course gives an introduction to concepts and principles of Contrastive Analysis and Learner Language Analysis. The approach is both theoretical and applied, focusing on comparison between English and Norwegian and analysis of the English produced by Norwegian advanced learners. Students will be introduced to methodological aspects such as models of language description and sources of linguistic data. The students will analyse and compare linguistic data.

Forms of teaching and learning

Lectures and seminars with emphasis on practical work.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

Three written papers that must be approved. Students who do not fill this requirement may not take the exam.

Examination

Individual take-home exam (5 days) at the end of term
Students will be given a topic which they are expected to discuss and illustrate using language data, texts from the reading list and other relevant literature. The paper should demonstrate familiarity with the set texts and ability to analyse linguistic data. The paper should not exceed 10 pages (Times new Roman 12, double spacing). The list of references is not included in the ten pages.

Grading scale: A – E for pass, F for fail.

Literature

Johansson, Stig. 2008. Contrastive analysis and learner language: A corpus-based approach. Available as compendium at HiØ.
Løken, Berit (ed). 2009. Contrastive analysis: Articles and case studies. Compendium available at HiØ.