English216AIntroductiontoOldIrishMr.Nagy.docVIP

English 216A Introduction to Old Irish Mr. Nagy Old Irish A review of Old Irish grammar and syntax for beginners, and an introduction to the corpus of early Irish literature, with special consideration given to its importance for medieval literary studies and Indo-European mythological and cultural studies. No prerequisites.English 242 Early English Prosody: A Linguistic Perspective Ms. Minkova Language and Literature The seminar will explore the connections between language change, demographic and cultural change, and the changing modes of poetic composition in English from Beowulf to Milton and Shakespeare. We will try to understand and critique recent proposals concerning (1) the metrical structure of Old English alliterative compositions, including ?lfric’s rhythmical prose, (2) the alliterative innovations and constraints in Middle English, (3) the emergence of rhyming and syllable-counting in English prior to Chaucer, and (4) the iambic pentameter, its discovery by Chaucer and its innovative use by later poets. In addition to art verse, we will look into the origin and linguistic properties of “special interest” verse forms such as the folk ballad, Skeltonics, Sydney’s quantitative verse, the nursery rhyme, the limerick. English 245 The Argument of the Canterbury Tales: Mr. Baswell A Seminar for Teachers and Scholars Chaucer This seminar aims to involve two audiences that ought always to be in dialogue: medieval specialists and generalists who will find themselves teaching Chaucer. Both beginners and advanced Chaucerians are welcome to the seminar. Medievalists will be encouraged to explore links between Chaucer and other aspects of European literature and culture in the period, as well as recent developments in criticism. Generalists will explore (and present) pedagogical approaches to the Tales, including links or analogies to more recent cultures and critical modes. And of course eccentric individuals may cross borders at will. I hope eac