Language Variation and Change
Course name
Language variation and change in the history of EnglishUniversity
UtrechtEC
5/6 ECCourse date
semester 1 (2022 - 2023)Registration open until
Location
UU and onlineInstructor(s)
Marcelle Cole (UU) & Janet Grijzenhout (UL)E-mail contact
Marcelle Cole (UU)Course objectives
This course will appeal to students with an interest in the history of the English language and prospective teachers of English who want to acquire a better understanding of how English has changed and developed over the course of time and why.
The course will provide students with:
– a historical perspective on English that will enable them to understand the idiosyncrasies of Modern English grammar, its spelling norms and sound system.
– a good grasp of how the grammatical system of earlier stages of English functioned and changed over time to become the language that it is today
– an understanding of how language contact has shaped English
– knowledge of the principles of language change
By the end of the course, students will be able to usefully apply a historical perspective to their own teaching of the English language.
They will also be in an ideal position to write an MA paper that provides an indepth discussion of a linguistic development in the history of English.
Course content
Possibly more so than any other West Germanic language English has changed enormously over time. This course explores how and why English has changed to make it the language it is today. You will learn where English came from, its relationship with other Germanic languages like Dutch and Frisian, how and why it has changed over time, and how internal and external forces have shaped its development.
Course requirements / Language proficiency
A basic knowledge of Linguistics (phonology, morphology, syntax, etc.) is a requirement to follow this course. Students who have not followed introductory courses on Linguistics must contact the course coordinator some weeks before the course starts for an alternative online means to grasp the basics of linguistics.
Students should already be capable of writing well-structured research papers with correct use of academic sources.
Students are highly recommended to also take the MasterLanguage course Medieval English Literature in the Classroom (semester II, block 1) for 5 EC in order to further their study of English from a historical perspective.
Assessment
Exam
Written assignment 30%
Oral presentation in class 10%
Individual paper 2000-2500 words 60%
Studyload
- 5 ECTS (= 140 hours)
- Seminars: 7 x 3 = 21 hrs
- Preparation and work per week 7 x 5 = 35 hrs
- assignments 6 x 4 = 24 hrs
- Individual paper = 60 hrs
UvA/VU
Students who need 6 ECTS may elect to do an extra assignment. This must be determined with the course coordinator in week 1.
Background literature and course materials
Literature
Johnson, Keith. 2016. The History of Early English: An Activity-Based Approach. Routledge.
ISBN 9781138795457
Primary and secondary literature will also be provided by the instructors
Costs
€ 35,00
Further information
A mix of in-person seminars at UU and online seminars on Teams (see below)
Schedule
Fridays 10.00-13.00
on campus UU:
04/11 Drift 25, Utrecht, zaal 101
11/11 Drift 25, Utrecht, zaal 101
online:
18/11
25/11
02/12
09/12
16/12