Course syllabus - English from a contrastive perspective

Objectives

The objective of the course is to provide students with the opportunity to acquire more in-depth knowledge of the structure and characteristics of English, in relation to Swedish. The primary focus is on differences in grammar and pronunciation, as well as word choice, spelling and writing rules. The course functions as a complement to English studies without contrastive English-Swedish elements.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

1. identify, analyze and explain syntactic and morphological characteristics of English, in relation to Swedish
2. identify, analyze and explain speech sounds and intonation in American and British Standard English, in relation to Swedish
3. identify, analyze and explain other common challenges for learners of English as a second or foreign language, especially regarding word choice, spelling and writing rules
4. express themselves in spoken and written English with a high degree of correctness

Course content

- Theoretical overviews, as well as practical exercises, regarding rules of English syntax, morphology, pronunciation, word choice and writing from a contrastive perspective

Tuition

The course is offered in English, but includes comparisons between English and Swedish. Teaching and learning take place in the form of seminars, lectures, individual studies, individual and group activities, e.g. in the form of grammar, pronunciation and translation exercises, hand-in assignments, as well as exams. The course is to a large extent ICT-based.

Specific requirements

60 credits English or equivalent.

Examination

OBN1, compulsory attendance, 1 credit, participation in scheduled activities concerning learning outcomes 1-4; grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).
OVN1, exercises, 2 credits, web-based exercises concerning learning outcomes 1-4; grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).
INL1, written assignment, 1 credit, individual hand-in assignment regarding learning outcomes 1-4; grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
TEN1, written examination, 2.5 credits, written exam-hall examination concerning learning outcomes 1 and 3; grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
MUN1, oral examination, 1 credit, spoken exam regarding learning outcomes 2 and 4; grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

For Pass with distinction (VG) on the course as a whole, the student must have earned that grade for INL1, TEN1 and MUN1.

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

This course overlaps in part with the courses Language Skills and Linguistics 1 in English 1 and cannot be included in a degree together with any of these.