SEL2212 : Early English: Texts, Patterns and Varieties - Undergraduate Study

Offered for Year: 2020/21

Module Leader(s): Dr Adam Mearns
Lecturer: Dr William van der Wurff, Professor Karen Corrigan

Owning School: English Lit, Language & Linguistics
Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Semester 2 Credit Value:	20
ECTS Credits:	10.0

Aims

• To develop students' competence in reading texts from a variety of periods in the history of English;
• To develop students’ ability to analyse linguistic features of texts;
• To build on the knowledge and skills relating to language change gained in SEL1032 (Language Variation and Change);
• To enhance students’ knowledge of the processes by which the English language has evolved into its present-day state;
• To develop competence in using dictionaries, historical corpora and other electronic resources.

Outline Of Syllabus

Lecture material provides a chronological survey of English, examining the major features of Old English, Middle English, and Early and Late Modern English. It also explores special topics related to the socio-historical and linguistic context in the areas of standard languages, variation and language contact, with examples potentially drawn from Scots, Irish and American varieties, as well as English varieties. Small group classes focus on the detailed examination of the language in action, with an emphasis on the reading and analysis of texts which range across the centuries and across genres, including literary texts and personal letters.

Teaching Methods

Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.

Teaching Activities

Category	Activity	Number	Length	Student Hours	Comment
Structured Guided Learning	Lecture materials	9	2:00	18:00	Introducing key linguistic features of different periods, and details of socio-historical context
Guided Independent Study	Assessment preparation and completion	1	60:00	60:00	Preparation and completion of mid-module and end-of-semester assignments
Structured Guided Learning	Academic skills activities	9	2:00	18:00	Textual analysis exercises in preparation for weekly small-group teaching sessions
Guided Independent Study	Directed research and reading	1	28:00	28:00	Independent study using reading lists and other online resources identified in module materials
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Small group teaching	9	1:00	9:00	Synchronous online small-group discussion, focusing on sample texts from each period of the language
Guided Independent Study	Skills practice	1	28:00	28:00	Independent study focusing on the analysis of historical texts
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Drop-in/surgery	9	1:00	9:00	Synchronous group sessions picking up on issues/questions identified in the small group sessions
Guided Independent Study	Independent study	1	30:00	30:00	General reading and revision
Total				200:00

Jointly Taught With

Code	Title
SEL8361	The Social History of English

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lecture Material will be used to provide information about the features of the English language in its various periods, outline historical contexts, demonstrate and discuss methods and resources for text analysis, and provide overall coherence for the module.

Academic Skills Activities focus on practising the kind of textual analysis which will be a focus of the Small Group Teaching, and assessed as part of the end-of-semester Written Exercise.

Small Group Teaching will focus on detailed textual work of various types. These sessions also aim to enhance understanding of approaches to historical texts from a linguistic perspective.

Drop-in/Surgery sessions present the opportunity for further discussion of the topics and issues covered by the lecture materials, and in the small group teaching sessions.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment

Description	Semester	When Set	Percentage	Comment
Essay	2	M	35	1500 words
Prof skill assessmnt	2	M	15	An individual poster presentation (equivalent to c.500 words)
Written exercise	2	A	50	Section 1: text analysis. Section 2: essay (c.2000 words total)

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

(1) The mid-module essay allows students to explore and demonstrate their knowledge of concepts and/or theories related to the socio-historical evolution and linguistic features of English in its earlier periods (Old and Middle English), deriving mainly from the material and reading suggestions presented through lectures. (2) In the individual poster (prof skill assessment), students will present some aspect(s) or element(s) of the material from their mid-module essay in poster form, aimed at a different kind of (non-specialist) reader. This assignment therefore assesses the student’s ability to synthesize information concisely and present it coherently in a different form, and for a different audience. Where appropriate or with prior permission from the module leader students may submit: An individual poster submission (equivalent 500 words) (3) The end-of-semester written exercise focuses on: (a) the close analysis of linguistic features of sample texts, informed by background knowledge and the practice gained from similar textual analysis in the small-group teaching sessions; and (b) a chance to synthesise data and ideas in a short discursive essay focusing on linguistic and socio-historical issues related to the later periods of English (Early Modern and Late Modern).

Reading Lists

SEL2212's Reading List

Timetable

Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
SEL2212's Timetable

Module