120006 PS Introduction to the history of English (2007W)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik

Continuous assessment of course work

anrechenbar als K 213.

Details

Language: English

Lecturers

Theresa Illes

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Thursday 11.10. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
Thursday 18.10. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
Thursday 25.10. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
Thursday 08.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
Thursday 15.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
Thursday 22.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
Thursday 29.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
Thursday 06.12. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
Thursday 13.12. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
Thursday 10.01. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
Thursday 17.01. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
Thursday 24.01. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05
Thursday 31.01. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 1 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-05

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Language varies geographically, socially and historically: this course focuses on the different forms of English over time. It builds on concepts and terminology familiar from the introductory lecture courses and applies them to a number of developments which have made English the language it is today. Some of the questions raised will be: why is there so little correspondence between English spelling and pronunciation? Why are there hardly any inflectional endings in Modern English and why is its vocabulary so full of words of foreign origin? Answering these questions necessitates reflection on how we can find out about past stages of a language with only written material (or not even that) as a source. Texts from different periods in English language history will be used for illustration. The discussion of all topics touches upon the essential questions as to how and why languages change at all.
Marks will be assigned on the basis of homework, class participation and exam(s).

Assessment and permitted materials

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

203, K213

Examination topics

interactive

Reading list

Association in the course directory