Early Medieval Literature and Culture



Overview

This course aims to dispel the myth that Old English literature is either dreary, difficult, or only about drinking and fighting, and will introduce participants to the range of Old English literature, from stirring tales of heroism, courage, and fellowship, to poignant elegies of love and loss; from passionately devout to earthily humorous.

This is an accessible introduction to the earliest extant English literature. The aim of this course is not for participants to learn to read or speak Old English; the texts explored will be offered in translation. Optional activities and directions for further exploration, however, enable those who wish to learn some Old English grammar and vocabulary to do so.

Areas covered include: Anglo-Saxon history and culture; an introduction to Old English texts; in-depth exploration of selections from Old English texts in translation; an introduction to and taster of a variety of Old English; Old English script and runes; manuscripts; tools for close critical analysis; the heroic tradition; paganism and Christianity and women in Anglo-Saxon culture.

This course has no live sessions. You will study structured materials at your own pace each week. Find out more about how our short online courses are taught.

Programme details

The course is broken down into 10 units over 10 weeks, each requiring approximately 10 hours of study time. The following topics are covered:

1. Voices from the past

2. Hearing voices: introduction to Old English texts in translation

3. Hearing voices: getting more out of reading Old English texts

4. Pagan voices and Christian voices

5. Old English voices: a taster of the Old English language

6. Epic and heroic voices

7. Beowulf

8. Women's voices

9. Single and echoing voices

10. Lasting voices: the end and after

We strongly recommend that you try to find a little time each week to engage in the online conversations (at times that are convenient to you) as the forums are an integral, and very rewarding, part of the course and the online learning experience.

Textbooks

This course does not have any textbooks; the required readings will be provided on the course site. You will need to have regular access to the Internet.

Certification

Credit Application Transfer Scheme (CATS) points 

Coursework is an integral part of all online courses and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework. All those enrolled on an online courses are registered for credit and will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.

See more information on CATS points

Digital credentials

All students who pass their final assignment will be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £415.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Nicolay Yakovlev

Nicolay’s doctoral thesis at Oxford was ‘The development of alliterative metre from Old to Middle English’ - considered a landmark publication on the subject. He has published on Old and Middle English and works as a Senior Editor (Etymology) at the Oxford English Dictionary.

Course aims

To enable students to gain an enjoyment and appreciation of Old English texts and an understanding of the contexts of those texts.

Course Objectives

On successful completion of this course, participants will:

  • have knowledge of a range of Old English texts in translation;
  • have gained or developed tools of critical analysis and understanding;
  • have encountered samples of Old English dialects and Old English scripts;
  • have explored archaeological findings relating to the 5th to 11th centuries;
  • have an understanding of the history of settlement of England by peoples from the north and east.

Learning outcomes

Participants will gain knowledge of:

  • the range and variety of the Old English language (introductory)
  • the range and variety of Old English literature
  • the history of the Anglo-Saxon invasions and settlement of England 

Participants will gain understanding of:

  • the relationship between Old and Modern English
  • the diversity of Old English dialects
  • genres, subjects, traditions and conventions of Old English literature (in translation)
  • sources of our knowledge of Anglo-Saxon culture

Assessment methods

You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.

Application

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

Level and demands

This course is open to all and no prior knowledge is required.

This course is offered at FHEQ level 4 (i.e. first year undergraduate level) and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours.

English Language Requirements

We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements please follow this link: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/english-language-requirements

 

IT requirements

This course is delivered online; to participate you must to be familiar with using a computer for purposes such as sending email and searching the Internet. You will also need regular access to the Internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support