ENG4103 – Historical English Syntax
Course content
This course gives an introduction to some of the most important (morpho)syntactic changes in the English language in the period c.1380-1800, i.e. late Middle English and early Modern English. These changes are described, and possible explanatory models are presented; language as a system is vital in this respect.
The corpus linguistic method is used to extract relevant data, which are analysed and collated with traditional accounts of linguistic change in English.
Learning outcome
After completing this course you will have:
- gained the ability to account for some of the most important (morpho)syntactic changes in English in the period 1380-1800.
- learned how to date and describe these changes, but also to place them in a larger perspective as part of a linguistic system.
- gained the ability to present possible explanations for the changes in question.
- learned how to extract and analyse relevant data from linguistic corpora of historical English.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Recommended previous knowledge
It is highly recommended that students have taken ENG2156 – History of the English Language or ENG4156 – History of the English Language course or a similar course in English historical linguistics.
Teaching
This course will be offered as directed reading. If you are interested in this course, you can send an application by e-mail to the administration officer for English Language. The application must include the reason for why you wish to take this course. The course will admit a maximum of three students for directed reading per semester.
Examination
The exam consists of a term paper of 10 pages (4000 words) on one of the topics investigated in this course.
Students are required to submit the term paper at an appointed time. Beforehand, students will be given an opportunity to submit a draft of the term paper and receive individual feedback on both the form and content of the draft.
You submit your paper in Inspera. Read more about submission procedures.
The term paper is the basis for the grade in this course.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.