Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR
Code ENGL647
Coordinator Dr JG Ethelston
English
G.Ethelston@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2022-23 Level 7 FHEQ First Semester 15

Aims

To provide participants with a systematic overview of the ways in which grammatical choices function to communicate meaning. To provide participants with a better understanding of how grammatical choices in clauses contribute to the meaning expressed by whole texts. To provide participants with understanding of the three main functions of language: to talk about the world and our experience of it, to interact with the people around us, and to create discourse that is recognizably coherent. To provide participants with sufficient knowledge to recognize and analyse these 3 main functions in texts.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Students will demonstrate familiarity with and understanding of a range of relevant literature.

(LO2) Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of core theories of functional grammar.

(LO3) Through detailed textual analysis, students will demonstrate understanding of the key concepts of functional grammar.

(LO4) Students will relate grammatical choices to broader contextual factors and show awareness of the central importance of variation in language.

(S1) Application of core theories of functional grammar to authentic texts.

(S2) Ability to relate functional grammatical theories to how texts reflect both contexts of situation and contexts of culture.

(S3) Effective academic writing and referencing.

(S4) Effective, targeted linguistic research.

(S5) Communication (oral and written) and negotiation skills, including sensitivity to cultural diversity.

Syllabus
 

Typically, topics include:
The basic constituents of clauses,
Language as systems of choices; the metafunctions of language,
The Interpersonal function: Mood and negotiation,
The Interpersonal function: Modality and evaluation,
The Experiential function: Transitivity - processes,
Transitivity - participants, and
The Textual function: Theme.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Workshop (online)
Description: 1 hour per week
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Seminar (face to face) in groups of up to 25
Description: 1 hour per week
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Workshop (online)
Description: 1 hour per week
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Seminar (online) in small groups of up to 25
Description: 1 hour per week
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching method 3 - (if no COVID restrictions)
Workshop (face to face)
Description (2 hours per week)
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours   10

       10

 20
Timetable (if known)   60 mins X 1 totaling 10
  		      60 mins X 1 totaling 10
  		 
Private Study 130
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Take home assignment  0    100       

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.