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ENG4154 - Old English, Introduction

Course content

The course offers an introduction to English as it was before the Norman Conquest (1066), that is, to one of the early Germanic languages. For the first half of the semester, students will work through Duncan Macrae-Gibson's "Learning Old English" (an interactive audio course, with written exercises to be discussed in class). This provides a step-by-step guide through the grammar set out in Sweet's "Anglo-Saxon Primer". The second half of the semester will be devoted to a study of texts in Sweet's "Primer", nos. I, IV, V, VI, and VIIb. These will afford some insight into the literature and history of England at a time when had variously close links with Scandinavia.

Learning outcomes

The course will provide the students with insight into the contents mentioned above in a manner to ensure their ability to perform simple analyses of Old English texts. Further, the course will lay the ground for studies of Old English on MA-level.

Admission

Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisites

Admission to the course is required.

Recommended prior knowledge

Basic knowledge of the description of modern English as provided by ENG1100 - English Grammar, an introduction or a similar course.

Overlap

This course overlaps with ENG2154 - Old English, Introduction.

Teaching

Seminar, with two classes each of two hours per week for eleven weeks, 44 hours in total.

Attendance is an obligatory class requirement (80%).

Each student is required to hand in, class by class during the first four weeks, the eight written exercises in Macrae-Gibson's <Learning Old English>. It is a condition that these exercises be completed in approved form before the student is allowed to take the exam.

Teaching takes place throughout the semester.

Exam information

The final mark is awarded on the basis of a 4-hour written examination.

Assessment and grading

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

Explanations and appeals

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .

Withdrawing from exams and limits on re-takes

A student can sit for this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do this in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam.

Exam options for students with special needs

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

Evaluation of this course

Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. As a student at the University of Oslo you will therefore be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses, facilities and services. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of this course, a so called "periodic evaluation".

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