This course examines various aspects of the English language from the rules for building words to the patterns for sentence structures in order to better understand how English works. While our focus is on English, this course is also about language in general and the ways in which language is studied in the field of linguistics. You will gain not only knowledge about the English language but also an appreciation for the approach linguists take in analyzing their subject matter. The overarching goal is to promote greater linguistic awareness and to provide students with the tools needed to think about language from new perspectives. Course requirements include exams and regular homework and quizzes. Also useful will be critical thinking skills and a willingness to recognize the relative insignificance of commas.