| Unit name | Introduction to Old English |
|---|---|
| Unit code | AFACM1012 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Jefferson |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Arts Faculty Office |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Old English (sometimes also known as Anglo-Saxon) is the form of English that was spoken and written in Britain before about 1100. Unlike later forms of English, which are heavily influenced by French, it is an entirely Germanic language, and it is strikingly different from modern English in terms of both its grammatical structure and its vocabulary. Accordingly, the language is taught from scratch in this unit. Students will be given instruction in the basic elements of Old English grammar, vocabulary and verse form so as to enable you to read a selection of works from the period in the original. These include some of the major examples of 'heroic' verse, such as excerpts from the epic Beowulf and The Battle of Maldon, as well as riddles, elegies, and 'Christian-heroic' verse such as The Dream of the Rood.
