GERMANIC PHILOLOGY 1 MOD. 2

This module is aimed at preparing students in the field of Language Sciences to improve their analytic skills by familiarising them with the major characteristics of some Germanic languages as well as with the dynamics of transmission of texts in medieval manuscript culture. The skills are listed below in detail. This course is taught in English.

Student Learning Objectives (SLO):
- to acquire knowledge and understanding in the main topics of historical linguistics, as well as cultural and literary studies by being exposed to both the current theoretical debate and its applications in the field of Germanic Philology. This knowledge and understanding will be founded upon and will extend that typically associated with the first cycle; it will also provide a basis for originality in developing and/or applying ideas, often within a research context;
- to apply their knowledge and understanding, and problem solving abilities in new or unfamiliar environments within broader contexts related to Germanic Comparative Linguistics, as well as Germanic Philology (e.g. textual criticism and literary reading skills applied to Germanic medieval texts);
- to have the ability to integrate knowledge and handle complexity, and formulate judgments with incomplete or limited information about their object of study (this is a typical situation in the philological field). The ability to formulate judgements will include reflecting on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge (e.g. the educational and social impact of philological studies);
- to be able to communicate their conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously, using the appropriate language register;
- to acquire the learning skills that should allow them to continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed or autonomous (e.g. through individual independent reading on philological issues, as well as practice exercises on linguistic theories, models and forms).

No specific prerequisites are required, albeit a previous MA module (6 cfu) of Germanic Philology is recommended. However, the basic notions necessary to tackle the main topics listed in the content section below will be provided by the teacher at the beginning of the course.

A) Advanced topics of Old English textual tradition, in comparison with cognate traditions.
B) Discussion of specific case-studies, namely "Beowulf" and other "stories". Linguistic, textual analysis and translation of excerpts.

Attenders:
PART A) R. North, J. Allard. 2012. Beowulf and other stories. A new introduction to Old English, Old Icelandic and Anglo-Norman Literatures. London: Routledge. Second edition.
Chapters 1 (Why read Old English literature?), 2 (Is it relevant?), 3 (Is violence what Old English literature is about?), 4 (Is there more like Beowulf?), 11 (How difficult is the Old English language?), 12 (When were the Vikings in England?),16 (What happened when the Normans arrived?) + Epilogue.
PART B) Selection of texts and extracts from texts in the Moodle area.

Non Attenders:
PART A) R. North, J. Allard. 2012. Beowulf and other stories. A new introduction to Old English, Old Icelandic and Anglo-Norman Literatures. London: Routledge. Second edition.
Chapters 1 (Why read Old English literature?), 2 (Is it relevant?), 3 (Is violence what Old English literature is about?), 4 (Is there more like Beowulf?), 11 (How difficult is the Old English language?), 12 (When were the Vikings in England?),16 (What happened when the Normans arrived?) + Epilogue..
PART B) Selection of texts and extracts from texts in the Moodle area.
Further reading: Bjork, Robert E. & John D. Niles (eds). 1997. A Beowulf Handbook. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. Chapters 1 (Introduction), 2 (Date, Provenance, Author, Audience), 5 (Diction, Variation, the Formula), 7 (Sources and Analogues).

The written exam consists in either four (4) or five (5) open questions, and lasts 90 minutes. Open questions allow to test critical thought, as well as the capacity of mastering the subject.
More specifically:
- Knowledge and understanding: checked through content questions;
- Applying knowledge and understanding: checked through practical exercises, such as translations and linguistic manipulations;
- Making judgements: checked through methodological questions;
- Communication skills: checked through open questions (whether students ommunicate their conclusions clearly and unambiguously, as well as the knowledge and rationale underpinning these);
- Learning skills: evaluation of the students' autonomy of judgement.

Lectures, teacher-led discussions, practical exercises in class ("hands-on training").

English

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development