Prospectus

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Philology 6: Old English Literature and Culture

Course
2014-2015

Admission requirements

Completion of Philology 1, 2 and 3 or comparable courses.

Description

This course elaborates on Philology 2. Students read, study, translate and discuss a number of literary and non-literary texts in combination with background literature. In doing so, students will acquire a deeper insight into a broad range of aspects of the Anglo-Saxon culture which has not yet, or only cursorily, been studied. Subject of discussion includes feuding and reconciliation, hero and/or saint, fact or propaganda, the material culture (archeology and paleography), orality and literacy.

Course objectives

  • thorough knowledge of the highlights of Old English literature (prose and poetry) and of the relevant cultural history of Anglo-Saxon England

  • familiarity of the various genres and methods of interpretation

  • proficiency in translating Old English at an advanced level.
    Successful completion of the course will enable the student to write a B.A. paper on an Old English subject and to follow a course in Old English at the M.A. level.

Timetable

The timetable will be available by June 1st on the website

Mode of instruction

Two-hour seminar

Course Load

140 hours.

  • hours spent on attending lectures and seminars: 26 hours.

  • time for studying the compulsory literature: 80 hours.

  • time to prepare for the exam and/or write a paper (including reading / research): 34 hours.

Assessment method

  • A final exam, consisting of three parts:

  • An unseen translation (30%)

  • Questions on cultural and historical background (30%)

  • Questions on literature (40%)

If the final grade is 5 or less students may only resit the insufficient course component(s).

Attendance is compulsory. Unauthorized absence will mean that you cannot take part in the relevant exam(s).

Blackboard

This course is supported by Blackboard. Blackboard will be used to provide the students with the weekly syllabus, extra information and a sample test. It will also include a discussion board.

Reading list

  • Baker, Peter (2012). Introduction to Old English. 3rd edn. Wiley-Blackwell.

  • Treharne, Elaine (2009). Old and Middle English c.890–c.1400: An Anthology. 3rd edn. Blackwell.

  • Godden, Malcolm & Lapidge, Michael (2013). The Cambridge Companion to Old English Literature. 2nd edn. Cambridge University Press.

  • Campbell, James (1991). The Anglo-Saxons. Penguin.

Registration

Enrollement trough uSis is mandatory. If you have any questions, please contact the departmental office, tel. 071 5272144 or mail: english@hum.leidenuniv.nl.

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Registration Studeren à la carte
Registration Contractonderwijs

Contact details

English Language and Culture student administration, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 102C. Tel. 071 5272144; english@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Coordinator of studies: Ms T.D. Obbens, MA, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 103C.