Course Catalogue

History of English ENGLANG4037

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Critical Studies
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course is an introduction to English historical linguistics, focusing mainly on the early modern period to the present. We look at the history of English through all levels of language (speech, writing, grammar, and the lexicon) and will also use some new and innovative techniques in the field (including the use of electronic resources, historical pragmatics, and sociolinguistic approaches to the past).

Timetable

1 x 2hr session per week (comprising 1x1hr lecture; 1x 1hr seminar) over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

 

This is one of the Honours options in English Language and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Requirements of Entry

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into English Language and Linguistics, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University 's 25% regulation.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

E The standard assessments for this course are:  

 

■ Essay (2500 words) - 50% 

■ Portfolio of technical exercises - 50% 

 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the assessments, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

The aim of this course is to:

■ understand the general processes underlying the history of English;

■ engage with the principles of the historical study of English at a theoretical level;

■ apply these principles to the study of particular texts.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

■ apply theoretical concepts in English historical linguistics to selected developments in the history of the language;

■ apply electronic resources for historical linguists to the study of English;

■ develop critical analytical skills using the principles of language change (with discussion of the limits of explanation and the various theories put forward for understanding language change).

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions