This course, taught by a specialist in the history of English grammar, will give students an overview of the history of English phonology, morphology, lexicon, and syntax as well as the development of 'new Englishes' due to colonisation.  Although it is not a literature course, it will introduce students to the nature of the literature of Early, Middle, and Early Modern English and will include discussions of how scribal and editorial practices may affect our understanding of the language of texts.

On satisfying the requirements of the course, students will be able to:

1. Analyse a wide range of syntactic and morphological structures in Old, Middle, and Early Modern English, applying the grammatical terminology and analytical techniques they have learned in the course.
2. Identify some major dialect differences in the period before the standardization of English.
3. Systematically analyse some differences between the grammar of the English of earlier periods and the grammar of Present Day English.
4. Use the Oxford English Dictionary Online and the Middle English Dictionary to learn independently about the history of individual words and collocations.
5. Undertake guided research on a topic in English morphology, syntax, or style.

Tutorial presentation of approximately 8 minutes, worth 15%.  This assessment addresses learning outcome 5.  The tutorial presentations will be in week 12 unless the number of students requires them to start earlier.

Two analytical assignments, worth 20% each.  These assignments assess learning outcomes 1-4.  They will be due in weeks 7 and 10.

One research paper of approximately 2500 words, worth 35%.  This addresses learning outcome 5.  It will be due in week 13.

One literature review of approximately 800 words, worth 10%.  This assessment addresses learning outcome 5 as part of the preparation of the research paper and tutorial presentation.  It will be due in week 8.

26 hours of lectures (2 per week) and 8 tutorials shared with LING2104 students, plus at least two and up to four more 6529-only tutorials as needed for the presentation of the research reports.  Students can expect to spend 9 hours per week on this course, including lectures and tutorials.

LING6001 Introduction to the Study of Language or permission of lecturer.

Essentials of Early English, by Jeremy Smith (Routledge 2005)

None required

Co-teaching: LING2104 The History of the English Language