EN3114 Reading Old English

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Tuesday 3-5

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr C Rauer

Dr C Rauer
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Christine Rauer

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Reading Old English is a language-based module which takes the student through the basic knowledge of grammar and syntax required to read and understand Old English in the original language. Students will develop competence in the efficient use of dictionary tools, and in mastering linguistic concepts such as case, gender, number, tense and agreement, and learn, through practical, seminar-based training, to apply that knowledge in order to translate Old English accurately and idiomatically. After completing this module students will have increased confidence in directly accessing the riches of early English literature for themselves. While home students will already have been introduced to Old English on EN2003, this module assumes no previous knowledge of Old English language and therefore can also be taken by JSA and JYA students.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS EN2003 AND PASS EN2004

Assessment pattern

Exam = 50% Coursework = 50% consisting of 2 x Class Tests

Re-assessment

Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 two-hour seminar (x 10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

44

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

264

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Students will learn the ability to identify and parse the grammatical parts of speech in an Old English sentence.
  • Students will recognise main and dependent clauses within Old English sentences and be able to pick out finite verbs and their subjects.
  • Students will learn the basic morphological changes of Old English, and how they impact on the ability to use dictionaries of Old English effectively.
  • Students will be able to translate previously unseen passages of Old English accurately and idiomatically, with the use of dictionaries and reference grammar.
  • Students will be equipped with the skills and confidence to read more widely in OId English literature in the original language and without the aid of translations.