MENMD1ENL: English Language

This is a mandatory Level 4 module for Lille-Canterbury double-degree students, is optional for Single Honours students, and is not available to Combined Honours students.

Credits:  20 Canterbury credits (10 ECTS credits) 
Course Director: Dr Peter Merchant

This module aims to provide an elementary education in the history of English language from Anglo-Saxon to present day and equip students with skills in sentence syntax, morphology, descriptive and prescriptive grammars. Students are introduced to the language (orthography, grammar and syntax) of Old English, Middle English and Early Modern English and are taught to understand the major historical/cultural developments which affected the progress of language.

The main emphasis is on basic knowledge of and skill acquisition in language. The history of language covers Anglo-Saxon, Middle English, Early Modern and Standard English and includes some textual study across the ages of English in graphology, morphology, syntax and lexis. There is some linguistic study of early literary texts, including chronicle and political writings and poetry. Practical emphasis is on understanding sentence syntax and awareness of various schools of thought on 'good' English use.  

Assessment:

Assessment is by one 2000-word essay (40%), an oral presentation (10%), and a two-hour closed-book examination paper (50%).

Illustrative Texts:

The texts listed below indicate the range of literature that is typically covered on this module. Please note, however, that this list is illustrative only. The reading list for each given year will be made available on Blackboard for students registered on the module.

  • Jonathan Culpeper, History of English (Routledge, 2005)
  • Seth Lerer, Inventing English: A Portable History of the Language (Columbia University Press, 2007)