122250 AR MA+MEd Advanced Course in Linguistics - Focus: Historical (2023S)

Learning (to read) Middle English

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik

Continuous assessment of course work

Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Registration is open from Mo 13.02.2023 00:00 to Tu 21.02.2023 12:00
Registration is open from We 01.03.2023 12:00 to Mo 13.03.2023 12:00
Deregistration possible until Fr 31.03.2023 23:59

Details

max. 18 participants

Language: English

Lecturers

Nikolaus Ritt

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

We meet on-site and in-person.

Monday 06.03. 18:15 - 19:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 20.03. 18:15 - 19:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 27.03. 18:15 - 19:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 17.04. 18:15 - 19:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 24.04. 18:15 - 19:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 08.05. 18:15 - 19:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 15.05. 18:15 - 19:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 22.05. 18:15 - 19:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 05.06. 18:15 - 19:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 12.06. 18:15 - 19:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 19.06. 18:15 - 19:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
Monday 26.06. 18:15 - 19:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this course, we explore the universe of Middle English texts, including literary masterpieces such as "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales", or Langland's "Piers Plowman, religious texts (such as legends of Saints), or more mundane genres such as scientific, historical or legal texts. Our primary aim is to learn to deal with pre-modern varieties of English, but if we come to appreciate Middle English literature in the process, or learn something about medieval culture, no harm will be done either.

The first part of the course will introduce Middle English and give participants the chance to practice the reading and the analysis of Middle English writing.

During that phase, participants will also choose the texts they want to focus on.

During the second part, participants will introduce one another to their chosen texts, present a passage in detail, and chair a discussion on the linguistic difficulties involved in understanding it properly.

At the end of the course, participants will submit a written in-depth analysis of a short passage of their chosen text. That analysis will involve a translation, a morpho-syntactic gloss, as well as a commentary on syntactic, phonological, or other features of the passage that are of special interest.

Assessment and permitted materials

(a) active participation (20%, max. 2 absences)
(b) oral presentation of a passage of Middle English text. (40%)
(c) written in-depth analysis of a short passage of a Middle English text. (40%)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

To pass the course, students must attend and participate regularly. They must prepare and present the analysis of a Middle English text passage, and submit a written elaborated in-depth analysis of that passage. Both the oral presentation and the written paper need to be good enough to earn 60%.

Examination topics

Students will need to acquire a basic understanding of Middle English morpho-syntax and will need to learn how to use Middle English dictionaries effectively. This will be facilitated through classroom instruction, but some independent consultation of Middle English grammar books and commentaries on specific texts will be useful.

Reading list

Horobin, Simon & J. J. Smith. (2009). An introduction to Middle English. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
McIntosh, A., Samuels, M. L., & Benskin, M. (2005). A Grammar of Middle English. Edinburgh University Press.
Sisam, Kenneth & J.R.R. Tolkien (1995). A Middle English Reader and Vocabulary. Oxford University Press.
Scanlon, Larry. (Ed.). (2010). The Cambridge Companion to Medieval English Literature 1100 - 1500. Cambridge University Press.

Association in the course directory

Studium: MA 812 [2]; UF MA 046/507
Code/Modul: MA M04, MA M05, UF MA 4B
Lehrinhalt: 12-0260

Last modified: Fr 10.03.2023 19:28