I spent part of this morning rereading many contributions to this group which have dealt with the value of studying the language itself in addition to reading and writing. Some were focussed on ESL, some on prospective teachers, some more general. I, myself, feel that for a person to call himor herself an English major without ever having given much more than passing notice to the structure of the language is no different from a pre- med student not knowing humans have skeletons. I sure could use some amunition to keep making my case. I have gotten the department to agree to let me teach a grammar course, but I am very aware that some are assuming that not enough students will enroll for the course to be allowed to meet. There willl be enough if some of these same people point there advisees in my direction. If any of you have fought similar battles to get such a course off the ground, I'd sure appreciate knowing some of the arguments you used. The students by the way are curious, but having a hard time envisioning an English course that is neither a literature course nor a writing course. I expect to offer them a sample class before preregistration. Emily Wilson-Orzechowski