E103  The Ebonics Controversy (Davis) (LING) (A & H) (3 cr.)

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This course deals with the controversy concerning Ebonics (African
American Vernacular English). It is a controversy that has several
different aspects and interacts with social, educational, and
linguistic issues. The class takes an academic perspective on the
topic in which we examine and try to understand the different
aspects of the controversy. There is the basic question of just what
is Ebonics. Is it a separate language, a dialect, slang, bad
grammar, or really not a distinct entity? There is also the matter
of its origins and history. Are its origins traceable to the
language systems of Africa or is it a variant of Southern English?
Further, there is the question of how different people in society
view Ebonics and why they might have those views. Finally, there is
a practical question of how to approach the education of African
American children whose home speech is Ebonics. Should a goal in the
education of these children be the purging of Ebonics so that it
does not interfere with the mastery of mainstream English, or should
Ebonics be used as a vehicle for learning mainstream English?

This course will deal with these and other issues through readings,
films, group discussions, writing assignments, and lectures. The
course grade will be based on homework assignments, discussion
participation, and three exams.