MDVL 407

Fall 2017

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Introduction to Old English
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Credit: 3 OR 4 hours.

Same as ENGL 407. See ENGL 407.

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CRN Type Section Time Day Location Instructor Section Details
49830
Lecture-Discussion
1G
2:00PM -3:15PM
TR
4053 Lincoln Hall
Wright, C
Part of Term:
1
Date Range:
08/28/17-12/13/17
Credit:
4 hours
Section Info:
In this course you will learn to read Old English prose and poetry in the original language, which was spoken by the Anglo-Saxon inhabitants of England from the sixth through eleventh centuries. We will begin with some easy prose readings (the story of Adam and Eve from Genesis, and a thousand-year-old classroom skit about Anglo-Saxon “career choices”). As you gradually master the basics of Old English grammar we will work our way up to literary narrative prose such as the Anglo-Saxon historian Bede’s story of Cædmon’s miraculous transformation from cowherd to poet; King Alfred’s plan for reforming English education through a “great books” scheme (some things never change ...); and Ælfric’s story of the martyrdom of King Edmund, slain by Vikings invaders (and featuring Edmund’s decapitated talking head). Then in the second half of the semester we will read some of the finest short Old English poems, including The Wanderer and The Seafarer, two elegiac poems of exile; The Battle of Maldon, recounting the heroic defeat of an English army by the Vikings; The Dream of the Rood, a mystical vision of the Crucifixion, as told by the Cross; and The Wife’s Lament, about a woman abandoned by her former lover. We’ll conclude with a couple of excerpts from Beowulf, about a Germanic hero’s battles with a man-eating monster, his vengeful mother (the monster’s, that is), and a dragon. Along the way we will learn about aspects of Anglo-Saxon history, culture, and art. Note: This course fulfills the Pre-1800 requirement for English majors, and it may be used to fulfill the language studies elective option for Teaching of English students (with permission from an advisor). For graduate students the course is 4 hours credit and will involve an additional hourly meeting per week (time and place to be arranged).
Restriction(s):
Restricted to Graduate - Urbana-Champaign.
49829
Lecture-Discussion
1U
2:00PM -3:15PM
TR
4053 Lincoln Hall
Wright, C
Part of Term:
1
Date Range:
08/28/17-12/13/17
Credit:
3 hours
Section Info:
In this course you will learn to read Old English prose and poetry in the original language, which was spoken by the Anglo-Saxon inhabitants of England from the sixth through eleventh centuries. We will begin with some easy prose readings (the story of Adam and Eve from Genesis, and a thousand-year-old classroom skit about Anglo-Saxon “career choices”). As you gradually master the basics of Old English grammar we will work our way up to literary narrative prose such as the Anglo-Saxon historian Bede’s story of Cædmon’s miraculous transformation from cowherd to poet; King Alfred’s plan for reforming English education through a “great books” scheme (some things never change ...); and Ælfric’s story of the martyrdom of King Edmund, slain by Vikings invaders (and featuring Edmund’s decapitated talking head). Then in the second half of the semester we will read some of the finest short Old English poems, including The Wanderer and The Seafarer, two elegiac poems of exile; The Battle of Maldon, recounting the heroic defeat of an English army by the Vikings; The Dream of the Rood, a mystical vision of the Crucifixion, as told by the Cross; and The Wife’s Lament, about a woman abandoned by her former lover. We’ll conclude with a couple of excerpts from Beowulf, about a Germanic hero’s battles with a man-eating monster, his vengeful mother (the monster’s, that is), and a dragon. Along the way we will learn about aspects of Anglo-Saxon history, culture, and art. Note: This course fulfills the Pre-1800 requirement for English majors, and it may be used to fulfill the language studies elective option for Teaching of English students (with permission from an advisor). For graduate students the course is 4 hours credit and will involve an additional hourly meeting per week (time and place to be arranged).
Restriction(s):
Restricted to Undergrad - Urbana-Champaign.
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