An introduction to Old English language and literature, with the emphasis on language. We will study Old English grammar by analyzing passages from prose texts, such as King Alfred's translation of Boethius, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, and Ælfric's works, as well as from the poetry, in particular the elegies and small selections from Beowulf. We will also investigate the traditions that passed these texts on to us from Anglo-Saxon times to the present, including translations, digital images, and electronic editions.
It is necessary to have access to the Internet for this course. Much of your work will take place on this website, which will provide aids for learning the language, access to electronic texts, online resources, and a listserv, to let you discuss online anything related to the course with me and members of the class.
Required text: Bruce Mitchell and Fred C. Robinson, A Guide to Old English, 6th ed. (Blackwell 2001).
Class requirements: active participation in class and in online discussions (30 percent); several quizzes testing ability to parse passages of Old English (20 percent); one oral presentation on a mutually acceptable research topic (20 percent); a final research paper (30 percent) based on the oral presentation and due no later than the day of the scheduled final exam, Tuesday, 17 December 2002.