EN2OEL-Introduction to Old English Literature

Module Provider: English
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Terms in which taught: Autumn
Module Convenor: Mr CB Hardman
Pre-requisites: EN1LL EN1RS EN1WKT
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9

Email: c.b.hardman@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of selected Old English verse texts, studied in different translations and in parallel Old English and Modern English. It seeks to promote an analytical awareness of some of the main characteristics and themes of Old English poetry, and of the variety of translations.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:
• demonstrate a basic knowledge of some of the main features of Old English
• demonstrate an understanding of the selected texts, and apply skills of textual analysis
• recognise issues involved in translating Old English texts into Modern English
• identify and discuss generic influences on the texts studied
• engage critically with ideas presented in seminars and secondary materials
• organize and articulate a cogent argument in written work.

Additional outcomes:
Students will be encouraged to develop skills of oral communication and effective participation in group work. They will also enhance their IT competence through the use of relevant web resources and databases and the word-processing of assessed work.

Outline content:
The module involves the study of a selection of Old English texts in translation, taken from The Norton Anthology of English Literature: Volme 1. The Old English language will not be taught formally, but students will be introduced to its major characteristics. The resources available on the Norton Anthology's companion web-site will be used to examine parts of the texts in parallel, and to investigate issues raised by the translation of Old English poetry; for example, students will look at sections of Seamus Heaney's translation of Beowulf and at his web-site discussion of problems he encountered. Students will also be able to access material available on the British Library's Beowulf CD-ROM. Attention will be given to the stylistic features and themes of the poems and their literary and historical contexts, and students will be expected to engage with current critical discussions and debates in their written and oral presentations.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module is taught through seminars involving structured group discussion, seminar papers and/or oral reports. Students also receive one essay tutorial.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures
Tutorials/seminars	18.5		1
Practicals
Other contact (eg study visits)
Total hours	18.5		1
Number of essays or assignments	2
Other (eg major seminar paper)

Assessment:
Coursework
Students write one non-assessed piece of work of approximately 1500 words, and submit a second essay or equivalent project (of no more than 2000 words) for formal assessment.

Relative percentage of coursework
Assessed Essay 33%.

Penalties for late submission
Ten marks (out of 100 on the normal University scale) will be deducted from a piece of work submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline or any formally agreed extension of that deadline. Once this period has elapsed, a mark of zero will be recorded.

Examinations
A two-hour paper requiring two answers. The examination accounts for 67% of the overall mark for the module.

Requirements for a pass
An average mark of 40%.

Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in September. Coursework will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more. Otherwise it must be resubmitted by 1 September.