Course syllabus autumn 2015
Course syllabus autumn 2015
Title
The History of the English Language
Swedish title
The History of the English Language
Course code
EN237L
Credits
7.5 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2013-11-12
Syllabus valid from
2015-08-31
Entry requirements
Basic eligibility for university studies and the higher education course English I, 30 credits (en101E/A).
Level
Basic level
No main field.
Progression level
G1F
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course can normally be included as a part of a general degree at undergraduate level.
Course objectives
This course aims to provide an overview of the development of the English language, with reference to history and to literature, and to consider the implications of the current situation where English has become a global language.
Course contents
Part history, part human geography and part linguistic analysis, the course explores and explains varieties of English at different times and in different locations. Starting in the fifth century with the migration of Germanic tribes to Britain, the course will take a largely chronological approach to the study of the English language, combining linguistic, literary, and historical perspectives.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
After completing this course, the student will be able to
1. account for and describe changes in the development of the English language in England, linguistically and historically
2. relate relevant historical, political, and social developments to the emergence of English as a global lingua franca
Competence and skills:
After completing this course, the student will be able to
3. identify linguistic and textual features in works of literature in order to establish the historical and sociocultural context of the text
4. analyse texts for evidence of syntactic and semantic change
Judgement and approach:
After completing this course, the student will be able to
5. critically analyse and evaluate local and global implications of the emergence of English as a lingua franca
Learning activities
The learning activities will include lectures, seminars, and self-study exercises.
Assessment
Assessment will be in two parts:
1) A written examination on the development of the English language, in relation to its history within Britain and its subsequent global spread (4 credits)
2) An academic paper on the topic of language change, either syntactic or semantic. (3.5 credits)
Assessment 1 focuses on learning outcomes 1-3, assessment 2 on learning outcome 4.
Course literature and other study material
Ishtla Singh: The History of the English Language (Routledge)
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Routledge (31 Mar. 2005)
ISBN-10: 0340806958
ISBN-13: 978-0340806951
Additional material in the form of articles and exercises available online.
Course evaluation
The course is concluded with an individual course evaluation focusing on the goals of the course. The evaluations are summarized and made available to the students at the completion of the course.
Interim rules
In a case when a course is no longer given, or the contents have been changed essentially, the student has the right to two opportunities during a one year period to be examined according to the course plan which was valid at the time of registration. The exam opportunities are set by the department and it is the student’s responsibility to contact the department to find out how and when re-examination will take place.