Universität Wien
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120131 PS Introduction to the History of English (2008S)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work

Details

Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 01.04. 17:00 - 20:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 08.04. 17:00 - 20:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 15.04. 17:00 - 20:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 22.04. 17:00 - 19:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 29.04. 17:00 - 20:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 06.05. 17:00 - 20:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 20.05. 17:00 - 20:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 27.05. 17:00 - 20:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
  • Tuesday 24.06. 17:00 - 20:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09

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

The aim of this course is to equip students with the basic tools and abilities to understand language change as a general phenomenon and to offer them insights into the particular development of English within this framework.

Examination topics

interactive

Reading list

The required reading will be announced after registration.

Association in the course directory

203, K 213.

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33