English 105 - Fall, 2011

History of the English Language

Class Information

Instructor: Chaganti, Seeta
CRN: 83671
Time: MWF 10:00-10:50
Location: 207 Olson

Description

This course encourages students to ask why the English they speak has the look, sound, and structure that it does. Beginning with Old English, and moving through the late Middle Ages and the early modern period, we will trace the development of the English language, its Germanic roots, its French and Latin elements, and the many other features that make our language unique. We will look at etymology, onomastics (the origins and meanings of names), and idioms. Because this is an English course, and not a linguistics course, we will focus mainly on English as a literary language, relying throughout the course on examples drawn from the entire history of Anglophone literature, up to the present day. The goal of this course is to change students’ understanding and awareness of how their language works.

Grading

Requirements: quizzes and exercises throughout the quarter (35%); midterm (15%); final exam (20%); final paper (20%); participation (10%)