ENG4102 ¨C Phraseology in English

Course content

This course explores the phraseology of English. Phraseology can be defined as "the study of the structure, meaning and use of word combinations" (Cowie 1994). It embraces the view of language that lexis and grammar are inseparable and that language to a large extent relies on "combinations of words that customarily co-occur" (Kjellmer 1991). The field has received much attention in recent years, chiefly due to advances in corpus linguistics methods for identifying phraseological patterns. This has opened up several avenues for English language research which students should be made aware of and be able to take part in.

Learning outcome

Students will gain insight into:

• approaches to phraseology: from compositional, relatively free combinations to non-compositional, fixed idiomatic expressions
• theoretical aspects of phraseological research
• the phraseology of English through case studies and practical work on corpora
• the phraseological search tools in AntConc, a freeware corpus analysis toolkit

At the end of the course, students will be able to carry out their own phraseological investigation of authentic language.

Admission to the course

This course is for students admitted to the master programmes?European Languages (master's two years),?Lektorprogrammet (master - 5 ?r), masterspesialisering i engelsk?and?Profesjonsrettet master med integrert praktisk-pedagogisk utdanning (masterspesialisering i engelsk).

Students enrolled in other master`s degree programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is approved by their own study programme.

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.

The minimum number of attendants for the course is 3.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

The course requires a minimum of 40 points in language topics.

The course presupposes some knowledge and skills in corpus linguistics (as acquired in e.g. ENG2152, ENG2153, ENG2162, ENG4106, ENG4108).

Teaching

Seminar, two hours per week for ten weeks. Halfway through the semester there is a period of one or two reading weeks without teaching, to be used for individual study and work on assignments.

Students will have to bring their own laptops to the seminars.

Obligatory activities:

• Two obligatory assignments. Each student must present a linguistic paper on, or related to, the required reading (orally or in writing, depending on student numbers) and write a short paper containing a brief outline of the topic for the term paper and an annotated list of selected reading in connection with this). Read more about?guidelines for compulsory activities?and?rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for approved postponements.

• It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you must attend a minimum of 6 out of 10 seminars. The requirement is absolute. Attendance at 10 out of 10 seminars is strongly encouraged. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to catch up the work you have missed.?

The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.

In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for?special needs accommodations.

Fulfilled course requirements are only valid the semester you attend the course.

Examination

The obligatory requirements must be fulfilled in order to qualify for the exam.

The exam form is a term paper (approx. 10 standard pages). You must work on the term paper during the whole semester, with supervision from the teacher.

In the assessment both content and language will be considered, as well as the appropriate presentation of quotations, references and linguistic examples.

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.

Resit an examination

A term paper or equivalent that is passed may not be resubmitted in revised form.

If you?withdraw from the exam?after the deadline, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• How to use AI as a student
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.