The history of the English language from its Indo-European roots, through its Old, Middle, and Early Modern periods, as preserved in the literary heritage, to its different forms in use throughout the world today.

This course surveys the history of the English language from its Indo-European roots, through its Old, Middle and Early Modern periods, and up to its different forms in use throughout the world today. Topics include changes in its core grammatical systems of phonology (sound structure), morphology (word structure) and syntax (sentence structure); in vocabulary; in its written representations and literary forms; and in the social position of English and its dialects. Topics also include causes of these changes, which are sometimes internal to the language, and sometimes external, such as social, political and cultural events in the lives of its speakers.

Book List:

Required: Millward, C.M. A Biography of the English Language.

Recommended: Pinker, Steven. The Language Instinct.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills