Admission requirements
None.
Description
This course focuses on the first centuries of the English language and culture, the period of Old English and Anglo-Saxon England (c.450–c.1100), from which a surprisingly rich literature has come down to us. You will be given a thorough introduction to the Old English language (phonology, morphology, syntax), and you will develop skills in translating short texts in both prose and poetry. In addition, we shall study a variegated selection from Anglo-Saxon literature, partly in Old English and partly in translation, such as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a saint’s life by Ælfric, Riddles, and Beowulf. Placing these texts in their cultural historical context also allows us to deal with such topics as the Vikings, the Sutton Hoo ship burial, manuscripts and daily life.
As Old English is the ancestor of Modern English, understanding Old English phonology, morphology and syntax will help you make sense of some of the peculiarities of Modern English, such as the ‘irregular’ plurals of foot (feet) and goose (geese). Hence, this course ties in with some of the Linguistics courses offered by the Bachelor programme English Language and Culture, including Linguistics 1 (phonetics), Linguistics 2 (syntax) and Linguistics 4 (phonology). In addition, this course has some common ground with various Literature courses. Not only because this course will teach you to look critically and precisely at literary texts, but also because modern authors, including W.H. Auden and J.R.R. Tolkien, or J.K. Rowling for that matter, were inspired and influenced by the Old English language and literature.
Course objectives
An insight into and understanding of Old English grammar
Skills in translation of Old English text
Insight into Anglo-Saxon literature, culture and history.
Timetable
Visit MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
One hour lecture, two-hour seminar.
Assessment method
Assessment
1) A 3-hour written exam, with a translation, short open questions and essay questions.
2) two grammatical quizzes during the semester and one short written assignment
Weighing
Element 1) 70%
Element 2) 30%
N.B. The grades for the two grammatical quizzes and the written assignment will only count towards your final mark if the average score of these three elements can be used to raise your final grade. Should this not be the case, the final exam alone will determine your final grade, for 100%.
Resit
When the final grade is 5.49 or lower, the exam will have to be retaken during the resit period. There is no resit for the grammatical quizzes and the written assignment.
Attendance
Attendance is compulsory. Missing more than two tutorials means that students will be excluded from the tutorials. Unauthorized absence also applies to being unprepared, not participating and/or not bringing the relevant course materials to class.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
Baker, Peter (2012). Introduction to Old English. 3rd edn. Wiley-Blackwell.
Treharne, Elaine (2009). Old and Middle English c.890–c.1450: An Anthology. 3rd edn. Blackwell.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website
NB: First year students will be enrolled by the coordinator of studies.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Studeren à la carte
Registration Contractonderwijs
Contact
Please contact Student administration Arsenaal or the coordinator of studies for questions.
Remarks
Students are expected to prepare for the first class. Information about reading and assignments for week 1 is available on Brightspace (enrollment is required).
Disclaimer: Please note that the course descriptions, in particular the assessment method, might be adjusted (timely) depending on the measures taken regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.