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Semester 1

Reading Old English (LASC10049)

Subject

Language Sciences and Linguistics

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

3

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Visiting students should have completed at least 3 Linguistics/Language Sciences courses at grade B or above . We will only consider University/College level courses.

Course Summary

This course focuses on the acquisition of the skills necessary to work with Old English text, both in edited and in unedited form. It provides students with an opportunity to acquire a reading knowledge of Old English, together with a command of central aspects of its grammar. In addition, they will learn to transcribe passages from facsimiles of Old English manuscripts, and they will prepare a 'student edition' of one such short passage.

Course Description

The course will start by concentrating on the rapid acquisition of essential basic grammar, consolidated through exercises, and on the translation of short passages of simple Old English prose. Once the basics are in place, the level of difficulty and length of the passages will increase. Less central aspects of the grammar will be dealt with gradually, over the course of the semester. At this stage, we will also begin with work on transcribing and analysing Old English from facsimiles of manuscripts, which will alternate with the translation work using printed texts.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 60%, Coursework 40%, Practical Exam 0% There are two pieces of assessment for this course: (1) An assignment providing 40% of the final mark (2) A two-hour written examination providing 60% of the final mark.

view the timetable and further details for this course