2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ENGL2021 English in Time

20 creditsClass Size: 50

School of English

Module manager: Professor Clive Upton
Email: C.S.Upton@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

Pre-requisite qualifications

Students wishing to take this module must have passed an introduction to language study in the School of English or another department (such modules include 'Language, Text and Context', 'Foundations of Language Study', 'Language Methodologies and Research Methods', a Level 1 module in Linguistics and Phonetics, or similar modules in other departments in Modern Languages). Students who have not done such a module, but do have an A in English language A-level and who wish to do this module should consult the co-ordinator, as should any student who is uncertain whether they meet the pre-requisite requirements.

Please note: This module is restricted to Level 2 and 3 students.

Module replaces

ENGL2016 English in Time and Space

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module is for those who have some background in language study, and want to learn about the history of English. It examines the development of standard varieties of English and the extent to which regional variation is expressed at various periods. The module will help students to place the writing of the past in its socio-historical context. The focus will be on the analysis of the major linguistic features of texts from the period 900-1800. The module will also outline the theory and mechanisms of language change, as illustrated by the history of English, and will also develop understanding of the historical roots of persistent linguistic controversies such as those about correctness, variation, and spelling reform.

Objectives

On completion of this module students should have acquired a broad knowledge of the history and development of the English language over the last 1500 years. They will also have learned, not only about the development of 'standard' English, but about what can be termed the 'alternative' history of English: the cultural history and changing status of regional varieties such as Northern English, Hiberno-English and American English. They should also understand how to place major works by Chaucer, Shakespeare and later writers into their socio-historical contexts, and in relation to the development of a standard 'literary' language. They should understand also some of the motivations and mechanisms for language change generally; and have acquired a broad knowledge of the historical roots of persistent linguistic controversies: e.g. about 'correctness' in spelling, punctuation, grammar and meaning.

Learning outcomes
Students will have developed:
- the ability to use written and oral communication effectively;
- the capacity to analyse and critically examine diverse forms of discourse;
- the ability to manage quantities of complex information in a structured and systematic way;
- the capacity for independent thought and judgement;
- critical reasoning;
- research skills, including the retrieval of information, the organisation of material and the evaluation of its importance;
- IT skills;
- efficient time management and organisation skills;
- the ability to learn independently.

Skills outcomes
Skills for effective communication, oral and written.
Capacity to analyse and critically examine diverse forms of discourse.
Ability to acquire quantities of complex information of diverse kinds in a structured and systematic way.
Capacity for independent thought and judgement.
Critical reasoning.
Research skills, including information retrieval skills, the organisation of material, and the evaluation of its importance.
IT skills.
Time management and organisational skills.
Independent learning.

Syllabus

There will be two lectures and weekly seminars. The first weekly lecture will cover the historical development of 'standard' English from Old English to the present-day, whilst the second weekly lecture will discuss relevantly linked 'alternative' histories, e.g. of regional dialects; linguistic theories of change and 'correctness' past and present; poetic diction and linguistic creativity in literature through the ages; issues in historical pragmatics. The seminars will be specifically directed to close linguistic analysis of texts from Old English to the present day.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			168.00
Total Contact hours			32.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

To include preparation and reading for each weekly seminar; accessing relevant materials in the Nathan Bodington; preparation for the summative tests and the writing of the assessed essay/project.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance at, preparation for, and participation in seminar discussion will be monitored on a regular basis.
In addition, unassessed assignment(s) may be required.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Essay/project of 3,000 words	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Open Book exam	3 hr	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 20/05/2008

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