Department of German

• Goals and Approaches

The goal of the course is to provide an introduction to the functional analysis of language, using Hallidayan systemic functional linguistics (SFL) as the theoretical frame of reference and English as the exemplar language. The course introduces students to general concepts of this socioculturally oriented model of grammar with its explicit focus on meaning in oral and written texts and familiarizes them with fundamental conceptual and analytical tools that are available for such analyses. The two overriding questions guiding the course are: how do people use language, that is, what choices can people make and what is the function of those choices? and how is language structured for use, that is, how is it organized to make meanings?

The course uses a textbook in order to introduce students in a well-sequenced fashion to the major assumptions of SFL about the nature of language and its insights and methodological approaches. In addition to reading and discussing these materials, students will

- perform language analyses on short texts in line with the points discussed;
- make classroom presentations based on readings
- prepare a final paper in stages over the entire semester.

These activities are intended to make SFL concepts more transparent and available as tools for students? own analyses, including, as appropriate, analysis in languages other than English.

The course addresses students who are interested in exploring the potential of a meaning-and text-based approach to language analysis in such diverse contexts as discourse analysis, native and foreign/second language literacy development at various educational levels and at various levels of language development, and for such language learning foci as reading and writing development at the advanced and professional level.

• Materials

Suzanne Eggins: An Introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics. London: Continuum, 2nd. ed. 2004
Course Packet.

• Topics and General Schedule

Jan. 11-16        Historical context for SFL and overview
Jan. 18-23        What is (a) text?
Jan. 25-30        Genre: context of culture in text
Feb. 1-8           Register: context of situation in text; planning for semester paper
Feb. 13-15       Introduction to the lexicogrammar
Feb. 20-27       The grammar of interpersonal meaning: mood
March 1           Systems: meaning as choice
March 13-20    The grammar of experiential meaning: Transitivity
Mar. 22-Apr.3  The grammar of logical meaning: the clause complex
Apr.10-17        The grammar of textual meaning: theme
Apr. 19-26       Explaining text: Applying SFL; project reports

• Course Requirements

- Regular attendance and class participation on the basis of readings (see detailed semester schedule) (30%)
- Diverse textual analyses in line with the readings (20 %);
- Presentation of worksheet analysis in class (pair work) (10%)
- Summary presentation of additional reading (pair work) (10 %)
- Final project: summary presentation (10%); write-up 20%)

Note: All courses in the German Department follow the Honor Code of Georgetown University . In cases of alleged violations in graduate courses, the procedures adopted by the Graduate School will be followed.