Introduction to Old English A

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject is an introduction to the language and literature of the Anglo-Saxons from 750 to 1150, focusing on both prose and poetry, read in the original. The basic grammar of Old English is taught. Students are introduced to linguistic concepts and grammatical terminology. They will also learn about fundamental rhetorical devices used by medieval poets. The texts taught represent many genres and are drawn from a period covering 300 years of English literary history. Students who successfully complete this subject should have acquired the basis for further Old English studies and the ability to extend this knowledge into other areas of literary studies.

• developing self-awareness and the capacity to shape persuasive arguments;

• applying research skills (especially in library and online resources) and critical methods to an emerging field of inquiry;

• communicating arguments and ideas effectively and articulately, both in writing and in group discussions;

• detailed readings of a range of texts in different media;

• thinking critically about the relations between academic and popular forms of knowledge of the past.