ENG4156 ¨C History of the English Language

Course content

The English language has changed completely in the course of a thousand years, due to both historical events and language-internal processes. This course offers an introduction to the rich history of English, paying attention to language changes, language contact, and the development into a modern language. The focus is on Old English (700-1100), Middle English (1100-1500) and Early Modern English (1500-1650), but we also discuss some characteristics of Modern English and English as a world language. Knowledge of the history of the language enables you to understand why the modern language is the way it is.

Learning outcome

Upon completion of this course, you will:

• have a fair knowledge of the main lines of development of written English from approximately 700 AD to modern times.
• know the most important changes in the fields of historical phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics.
• know the basic structure of Old English, Middle English and Early Modern English grammar; to this end, you will have studied the most central characteristics of the language of the syllabus texts.
• be able to describe and date linguistic changes.
• be able to place the language stages in their historical context.

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

The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with ENG2156 ¨C History of the English Language.

Teaching

Seminar, two hours per week for 14 weeks, 28 hours in total.

Obligatory activities:

• Students are required to submit two shorter obligatory assignments within given deadlines. The assignments must be approved by the teacher for the student to be allowed to take the exam.?Read more about?guidelines for compulsory activities?and?about?rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements.
• It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course, you have to attend 8 of 14 seminars. The requirement is absolute.?

The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.

If the course has in-person teaching, and you are signed up for an in-person seminar group, you are to attend the teaching in the location found in the schedule.If the course has digital teaching, and you are signed up for a digital seminar group, you must attend via Zoom with your camera on.

In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for?special needs accomodations.

Fulfilled course requirements are only valid the semester you attend the course.

Examination

The assessment of the course is based on a term paper of approximately ten standard pages (a standard page consists of 2,300 characters). The topic for the term paper will be determined by the teacher and student together.

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.

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.

Resit an examination

• A term paper or equivalent that is passed may not be resubmitted in revised form.
• If you?withdraw from the exam?after the deadline, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

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.