Word Power
This 3-semester hour course is designed to help you build your vocabulary. There are no formal classes as students set their own pace and schedule. The required text is English Words from Greek and Latin Elements, 2nd edition by Donald M. Ayers. Optional text: Random House Webster's College Dictionary (or another large dictionary)
You must have a dictionary for this course, and there are two good on-line dictionaries available:
Merriam Webster: http://www.merriam-webster.com/home.htm
Oxford English Dictionary: available through Infohawk, http://infohawk.uiowa.edu
Purposes of the Course:
- to build vocabulary
- to provide a means of instant vocabulary recognition
- to examine the meanings, etymologies, and histories of words
- to learn proper use of the dictionary
The coursework is completed at home and on a computer program accessible through ICON. Students study the word elements in the Ayers book, do the assignments for each lesson (the assignments involve breaking words down into their elements and then defining the word), and then log on to the computer drill on-line and practice breaking down the words contained in the drill for each lesson.
There will be four exams given on campus at set times on set days during the semester. These dates, times and locations will be listed on the syllabus on ICON. Final grades will be determined by the student's performance on these four multiple-choice exams.
The syllabus and grades will be posted on ICON for students registered in the course.
If you prefer, or if you are a distance student, you may wish to take the Guided Independent Study version of this course. See the links below.
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