LN4537: A Social and Textual History of the English Language

LN4537: A SOCIAL AND TEXTUAL HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (2026-2027)

Last modified: 13 Oct 2026 10:47

Course Overview

Of all ‘Barbarian’ languages, English is one of the longest recorded. This is both a blessing and a curse: there are texts from all periods of the language’s history which are available for study; linguistic and social changes have meant that these texts are often difficult to read. This course will give you the opportunity to learn how best to read these texts the best way this can be done: by reading the texts in an informed manner.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	4
Term	Second Term	Credit Points	30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Professor Robert M. Millar Dr Elspeth Edelstein

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Programme Level 4
Either LN2008 Language in Society (Passed) or LN2505 Morphology and Syntax (Passed)
Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

LN3037 A Social and Textual History of the English Language (Passed)
LN3537 A Social and Textual History of the English Language (Passed)
LN4037 A Social and Textual History of the English Language (Passed)

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of how the English language has changed over the last 1500 years, paying close attention to how this can be done through the informed reading of a range of texts from different times and places. At all times the social and cultural milieu from which the text has been formed will be given prominence. Students will be able, by the end of the course, to discuss the language of a text from a number of different time periods in an informed and engaged manner.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 21st September 2026 for Term 1 and Full Year courses and 8th January 2027 for Term 2 courses.

Summative Assessments

2x Course Exercises consisting of Analysis of Language Data

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	40
Assessment Weeks	32,38	Feedback Weeks	35,41	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	2x Course Exercises consisting of Analysis of Language Data (20% each, 1,500 words each). All written work will be submitted and assessed online; along with the grade, notes on performance and for improvement will also be attached. Students will be encouraged to discuss their performance with the Course Convener and/or tutor at a mutually convenient time.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Understand	Students will recognise the central social and cultural ideas and processes involved in studying the history of the English language.
Conceptual	Understand	Students will recognise the central linguistic ideas and processes involved in studying the history of the English language.
Factual	Apply	Students will be able to apply the linguistic, social and cultural ideas and practices underlying the history of the English Language to practical tasks.

Tutorial/Seminar Participation

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	10
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks	37	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Students will be given their grade and feedback online through the MyAberdeen course area; they will be encouraged to discuss their performance with the Course Convener and/or tutor at a mutually convenient time.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Understand	Students will recognise the central social and cultural ideas and processes involved in studying the history of the English language.
Conceptual	Understand	Students will recognise the central linguistic ideas and processes involved in studying the history of the English language.
Factual	Apply	Students will be able to apply the linguistic, social and cultural ideas and practices underlying the history of the English Language to practical tasks.

Essay

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	50
Assessment Weeks	38	Feedback Weeks	41	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	All written work will be submitted and assessed online; along with the grade, notes on performance and for improvement will also be attached. Students will be encouraged to discuss their performance with the Course Convener and/or tutor at a mutually convenient time.	Word Count	2500

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Understand	Students will recognise the central social and cultural ideas and processes involved in studying the history of the English language.
Conceptual	Understand	Students will recognise the central linguistic ideas and processes involved in studying the history of the English language.
Factual	Apply	Students will be able to apply the linguistic, social and cultural ideas and practices underlying the history of the English Language to practical tasks.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	100
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	All written work will be submitted and assessed online; along with the grade, notes on performance and for improvement will also be attached. Students will be encouraged to discuss their performance with the Course Convener and/or tutor at a mutually convenient time.	Word Count	3000

Learning Outcomes

Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on or with the Course Coordinator
Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Understand	Students will recognise the central linguistic ideas and processes involved in studying the history of the English language.
Conceptual	Understand	Students will recognise the central social and cultural ideas and processes involved in studying the history of the English language.
Factual	Apply	Students will be able to apply the linguistic, social and cultural ideas and practices underlying the history of the English Language to practical tasks.

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