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  5. Language and Linguistics
  6. LN1502: English Past and Present

LN1502: ENGLISH PAST AND PRESENT (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


Course Overview

How do we get from Chaucer to Twitter? From Beowulf to Beyoncé? This course will look at the development of English over the last millennium and beyond, examining language changes in sound, structure and meaning. Students will also be introduced to present-day sociolinguistic study, and how it can contribute to our understanding of language in the modern world and in the past. 

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 1
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr William S. Barras
  • Professor Robert M. Millar

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Either Programme Level 1 or Programme Level 2

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course will introduce students to the study of historical and current language change by looking at developments in English from before the Norman conquest to the present day. We will examine language changes in sound, structure and meaning. Students will also learn about modern methods of sociolinguistic study that grew from work in the twentieth century, and how these contribute to our understanding of language in the modern world and in the past.

By the end of this course students will:

  • Have knowledge of the important structural changes English has undergone in the last millennium
  • Understand the techniques used in investigation of historical language change
  • Understand the techniques used in investigation of modern language variation
  • Be able to conduct simple analysis of historical and/or sociolinguistic data

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay 30%

2x online test 25% each

Tutorial Assessment Mark 20%

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandStudents will understand the techniques used in investigation of historical language change.
ConceptualUnderstandStudents will understand the techniques used in investigation of modern language variation
FactualUnderstandStudents will understand the important structural changes English has undergone in the last millennium.
ConceptualAnalyseStudents will be able to conduct a simple analysis of historical English data
ConceptualAnalyseStudents will be able to conduct simple analysis of synchronic sociolinguistic English data.
 

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