English 4633 (26250) / 5633 (26251)
Old English Literature
Mon., Wed. & Fri., 11:00-11:50 a.m.
217 Liberal Arts Building
Spring Semester 2015
J. David Macey, Jr., Ph.D., Professor & Chairperson
Department of English, College of Liberal Arts
www.uco.edu/la/english/index.asp
Office: 103A Liberal Arts Building
Office Hours: Mon., 2:00-4:00 p.m.,
Tues., 2:00-4:00 p.m.,
Wed., 2:00-4:00 p.m.,
Thurs., 3:00-5:00 p.m.,
Fri., 2:00-4:00 p.m.
& by appointment
Office: 974-5641
Cellular: 863-5052
Office: dmacey@uco.edu
Home: jdavidmacey@msn.com
Facsimile: 974-3811
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Howell D. Chickering, Jr., Trans., Beowulf: A Dual-Language Edition
Murray McGillivray, A Gentle Introduction to Old English
Burton Raffel, Trans., Poems and Prose from the Old English, Ed. Alexandra Olsen
R. M. Liuzza, Ed., Old English Literature: Critical Essays (English 5633 Only)
PREREQUISITES:
English 4633: English 2303 (English Cornerstone)
English 5633: Graduate Standing
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
This course offers an in-depth survey of major works of Old English literature,
including heroic and religious poetry, homilectic prose, riddles, elegies, and
saints’ lives. In addition, this course provides an overview of Anglo-Saxon history
and culture and an introduction to Old English grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, students in ENG 4633 will be able to

define and critically assess the major genres of Old English literature.

translate representative selections of Old English poetry and prose.
English 4633 (26250) / 5633 (26251): Old English Literature

2
describe the historical and cultural environment within which literature was
produced in Anglo-Saxon England.
Upon completion of this course, students in English 5633 will be able to

define and critically assess the major genres of Old English literature.

translate representative selections of Old English poetry and prose.

describe the historical and cultural environment within which literature was
produced in Anglo-Saxon England.

discuss major critical and theoretical approaches to the interpretation of Old
English literature.

produce publication-length and publication-quality essays on topics related to
the interpretation of Old English literature.
TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Transformative Learning is a holistic process that places students at the center of
their own active learning experiences. All students at the University of Central
Oklahoma will have Transformative Learning experiences in six core areas:
Discipline Knowledge; Leadership; Research, Creative, and Scholarly Activities;
Service Learning and Civic Engagement; Global and Cultural Competencies; and
Health and Wellness.

Students in this class will acquire discipline knowledge as they study works of
Old English literature, acquire a basic understanding of the Old English
language, and apply the insights of literary critics, linguists, historians, and
archaeologists to the interpretation of Anglo-Saxon culture and of Old English
literature.

Students will demonstrate leadership by defining and executing independent
projects focusing on the translation, interpretation, and contextualization of
selected works of Old English literature.

Students will engage in research, creative, and scholarly activities as they
develop and defend sophisticated arguments about the translation and
interpretation of works of Old English literature.

Students will acquire global and cultural competencies as they explore the
ways in which the complex interaction of different cultures and languages
shaped Anglo-Saxon culture and Old English literature.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND MODE OF INSTRUCTION:
The following factors will determine your final grade in English 4633:
First Essay (4-5 pp.)
Second Essay (5-6 pp.)
Language Quizzes and Short Translation Assignments
15%
20%
20%
English 4633 (26250) / 5633 (26251): Old English Literature
Final Essay (6-8 pp.)
Final Essay and Translation Examination
3
30%
15%
A = 90-100%; B = 80-89%; C = 70-79%; D = 60-69%; F = 0-59%
The following factors will determine your final grade in English 5633:
First Essay (6-8 pp.)
Second Essay (6-8 pp.)
Language Quizzes and Short Translation Assignments
Major Annotated Translation (6-8 pp.)
Research Paper (8-10 pp.)
Final Essay and Translation Examination
15%
15%
20%
15%
20%
15%
A = 90-100%; B = 80-89%; C = 70-79%; D = 60-69%; F = 0-59%
We shall begin our work this semester by discussing the cultural and historical
contexts of Old English literature. We shall then examine representative texts
from each of the major genres of Anglo-Saxon writing, as well as modern critical
assessments of those texts and genres.
We shall also study Old English grammar and syntax. Students will complete a
series of quizzes and graded translation exercises to ensure that they master this
necessary and valuable material. By mid-semester, students will already have
begun to prepare original translations of selected Old English texts.
During the first half of the semester, each student enrolled in this course will write
two critical essays analyzing specific Old English texts and addressing questions
related to their interpretation. During the second half of the semester, students
enrolled in English 4633 will write an essay assessing selected historical and
cultural contexts of Old English literature, while students enrolled in English 5633
will complete a longer annotated translation of an Old English text of their choice
and will write a research paper addressing a topic related to the text that they
have chosen to translate. All students in enrolled in this course will take a final
examination that will include both essays and a translation exercise. The final
examination will take place during the scheduled final examination period for this
class (Monday, May fourth, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:50 p.m.).
POLICIES ON ATTENDANCE, LATE WORK, AND PLAGIARISM:
Because this is a discussion-oriented class and because we shall cover a great
deal of material each week, it is imperative that you attend class regularly. Any
absence has the potential to affect your final grade adversely. No student who
misses more than nine class meetings (the equivalent of three full weeks of
class) will receive a passing grade for the semester.
Written work will be due in class on the dates indicated on this syllabus. Written
assignments submitted after the indicated due date will be penalized by one
letter grade for each calendar day that they are late (thus, a “B” paper submitted
one calendar day late will receive a grade of “C”). If you are unable to attend
class due to illness or another emergency on the day on which a written
assignment is due, please contact Dr. Macey as soon as is practicable to arrange
English 4633 (26250) / 5633 (26251): Old English Literature
4
an alternate date, time, and/or medium (e.g., electronic submission) by which to
submit your assignment.
The University of Central Oklahoma subscribes to the turnitin.com plagiarism
prevention service. Students agree by taking this course that all required
assignments may be subject to submission to turnitin.com for textual similarity
review. All submitted assignments will be included as source documents in
turnitin.com’s restricted-access database for the purposes of detecting
plagiarism. Use of the turnitin.com service is subject to the terms and conditions
of use posted on the turnitin.com Website. Turnitin.com is one of several
plagiarism prevention tools and methods that may be used by the instructor.
Instances of plagiarism and other acts of academic dishonesty will be penalized
according to the policies set forth in the university’s Code of Student Conduct,
which also describes the process for contesting allegations of plagiarism.
EXPECTATION OF WORK:
Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education policy states that each college or
university student should devote two to three hours to homework, study, and
other academic preparation for each hour that he or she spends in class.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:
The University of Central Oklahoma complies with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Students with disabilities who need special accommodations must make their
requests by contacting the Office of Disability Support Services at 974-2516.
The Office of Disability Support Services is located in room 309 of the Nigh
University Center. Students should also notify the instructor of special
accommodation needs by the end of the first week of class.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:
The University is committed to an inclusive educational and employment
environment that provides equal opportunity and access to all qualified persons.
The University will continue its policy of fair and equal employment and
educational practices without discrimination or harassment because of actual or
perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, genetic
information, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, gender,
marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other
characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Discrimination
or harassment in violation of this policy should be reported to the Affirmative
Action Officer (Office of Legal Counsel), Lillard Administration Building, Room
114D, voice (405) 974-3377 or fax (405) 974-3807.
After office hours or on holidays and weekends, the report may be made by
contacting University Police Services at (405) 974-2345.
ADDITIONAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
Please consult the attached “Student Information Sheet and Syllabus
Attachment” for information about additional policies and procedures applicable
to this class.
English 4633 (26250) / 5633 (26251): Old English Literature
5
SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS:
Week I
Jan.12 (M)
Jan. 14 (W)
Jan. 16 (F)
Introduction to Old English Literature and Culture
Tacitus, Selections from Agricola and Germania (Electronic
Resources)
Bede, Excerpt from Ecclesiastical History of the English People,
Book I (Electronic Resource)
English 5633 Only: Sarah Foot, “The Making of Aglecynn: English Identity
before the Norman Conquest” (Liuzza, pp. 51-78)
Week II
Jan. 19 (M)
Jan. 21 (W)
Jan. 23 (F)
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY – NO CLASS MEETING
“Some Grammatical Terminology You Will Need” and
“Pronunciation and Spelling of Old English” (McGillivray,
pp. 13-29)
The Wanderer, The Seafarer, Deor, and The Ruin (Raffel, pp.
7-14, 18-21)
English 5633 Only: Margrét Gunnarsdóttir Champion, “From Plain to Praise:
Language as Cure in The Wanderer” (Liuzza, pp. 328-52)
English 5633 Only: Peter Orton, “The Form and Structure of The Wanderer”
(Liuzza, pp. 353-80)
Week III
Jan. 26 (M)
Jan. 28 (W)
Jan. 30 (F)
“Strong Nouns and Introduction to Old English Cases”
(McGillivray, pp. 30-35)
The Battle of Finnsburgh and The Battle of Brunanburh (Raffel,
pp. 39-43)
The Battle of Maldon (Raffel, pp. 43-52)
English 5633 Only: John D. Niles, “Maldon and Mythopoesis” (Liuzza, pp.
445-74)
English 5633 Only: Fred C. Robinson, “God, Death, and Loyalty in The Battle of
Maldon” (Liuzza, pp. 425-44)
Week IV
Feb. 2 (M)
Feb. 4 (W)
Feb. 6 (F)
“Demonstratives; Nominative and Genitive Cases” (McGiilivray,
pp. 36-41)
Selections from The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and King Alfred’s Will
(Raffel, pp. 142-44, 146-50)
ENGLISH 4633 & ENGLISH 5633: FIRST ESSAY DUE IN CLASS
Elfgifu’s Will, Ealdorman Elfheah’s Will, Ethelfleda’s Will,
Wulfwaru’s Will, and Ealdorman Ethelwold’s Will (Raffel,
pp. 150-57)
English 5633 Only: Susan Kelly, “Anglo-Saxon Lay Society and the Written
Word” (Liuzza, pp. 23-50)
English 4633 (26250) / 5633 (26251): Old English Literature
6
English 5633 Only: Stephen D. White, “Kinship and Lordship in Early Medieval
English: The Story of Sigeberht, Cynewulf, and Cyneheard” (Liuzza,
pp. 157-81)
Week V
Feb. 9 (M)
Feb. 11 (W)
Feb. 13 (F)
“A Few Old English Verbs; Accusative and Dative Cases”
(McGillivray, pp. 42-49)
CONFERENCES – NO CLASS MEETING
CONFERENCES – NO CLASS MEETING
Week VI
Feb. 16 (M)
Feb. 18 (W)
Feb. 20 (F)
“Weak Verbs; Subjunctive, Participles, Infinitives” (McGillivray,
pp. 50-57)
Caedmon’s Hymn and Bede’s Death Song (Raffel, p. 55)
Christ I: “Twelve Advent Lyrics” (Raffel, pp. 61-73)
English 5633 Only: Clare A. Lees and Gillian R. Overing, “Birthing Bishops and
Fathering Poets: Bede, Hild, and the Relations of Cultural Production”
(Liuzza, pp. 125-56)
English 5633 Only: Katherine O’Brien O’Keefe, “Orality and the Developing Text
of Caedmon’s Hymn” (Liuzza, pp. 79-102)
Week VII
Feb. 23 (M)
Feb. 25 (W)
Feb. 27 (F)
“Strong Nouns and Cases” (McGillivray, pp. 58-64)
The Dream of the Rood (Raffel, pp. 55-60)
Excerpt from The Phoenix (Raffel, pp. 95-106)
English 5633 Only: Sandra McEntire, “The Devotional Context of the Cross
before A.D. 1000” (Liuzza, pp. 392-403)
English 5633 Only: Carol Braun Pasternak, “Stylistic Disjunctions in The Dream
of the Rood” (Liuzza, pp. 404-24)
Week VIII
Mar. 2 (M)
Mar. 4 (W)
Mar. 6 (F)
“Strong Verbs; Personal Pronouns” (McGillivray, pp. 65-70)
A Woman’s Lament and Wulf and Eadwacer (Raffel, pp.14-16)
ENGLISH 4633 & ENGLISH 5633: SECOND ESSAY DUE IN CLASS
Judith and Excerpt from Elene (Raffel, pp. 23-39)
English 5633 Only: Diane Watt, “Lost Books: Abbess Hildelith and the Literary
Culture of Barking Abbey” (Electronic Resource)
Week IX
Mar. 9 (M)
Mar. 11 (W)
“Weak Nouns and Noun Oddities; Numerals” (McGillivray,
pp. 71-77)
Alfred the Great’s Preface to Gregory the Great’s Dialogues and
Ælfric’s Sermon for the Feast of Saint John the Evangelist
(Raffel, pp. 163-72)
English 4633 (26250) / 5633 (26251): Old English Literature
Mar. 13 (F)
7
Ælfric’s Preface to His Translation of the Book of Genesis and
Sermo Lupi ad anglos (The Wolf’s Sermon to the English)
(Raffel, pp. 172-83)
English 5633 Only: Stephanie Hollis, “The Thematic Structure of the Sermo Lupi
(Liuzza, pp. 182-203)
Week X
Mar. 16 (M)
Mar. 18 (W)
Mar. 20 (F)
SPRING RECESS – NO CLASS MEETING
SPRING RECESS – NO CLASS MEETING
SPRING RECESS – NO CLASS MEETING
Week XI
Mar. 23 (M)
Mar. 25 (W)
Mar. 27 (F)
“Adjectives” (McGiilivray, pp. 78-84)
Howell D. Chickering, “Introduction” (Chickering, pp. 1-28)
Howell D. Chickering, “Guide to Reading Aloud” (Chickering,
pp. 29-38)
English 5633 Only: Roy F. Leslie, “The Editing of Old English Poetic Texts:
Questions of Style” (Liuzza, pp. 271-83)
Week XII
Mar. 30 (M)
Apr. 1 (W)
Apr. 3 (F)
“Word Order in Noun Phrases and Sentences; The Subjunctive”
(McGilliray, pp. 85-91)
LIBERAL ARTS STUDENT SYMPOSIUM
Beowulf (Chickering, pp. 48-121)
Howell D. Chickering, “Commentary” (Chickering, pp. 278-334)
Week XIII
Apr. 6 (M)
Apr. 8 (W)
Apr. 10 (F)
“Old English Metre, Poetic Diction, and Poetic Syntax”
(McGillivray, pp. 92-99)
Beowulf (Chickering, pp. 121-79)
Howell D. Chickering, “Commentary” (Chickering, pp. 334-56)
Week XIV
Apr. 13 (M)
Apr. 15 (W)
Apr. 17 (F)
Beowulf (Chickering, pp. 179-243)
Howell D. Chickering, “Commentary” (Chickering, pp. 356-79)
ENGLISH 4633: THIRD ESSAY DUE IN CLASS
Seamus Heaney, Preface to Beowulf (Handout)
Week XV
Apr. 20 (M)
Apr. 22 (W)
Apr. 24 (F)
Translation Workshop: “Abraham and Isaac” (McGillivray,
pp. 102-05)
Translation Workshop: “Abraham and Isaac” (McGillivray,
pp. 106-11)
Translation Workshop: “Abraham and Isaac” (McGillivray,
pp. 112-15)
English 4633 (26250) / 5633 (26251): Old English Literature
8
Week XVI
Apr. 27 (M)
Apr. 29 (W)
May 1 (F)
Translation Workshop: Ælfric’s Colloquy (McGillivray, pp. 155-57)
Translation Workshop: Ælfric’s Colloquy (McGillivray, pp. 158-60)
ENGLISH 5633: ANNOTATED TRANSLATION AND RESEARCH
PAPER DUE IN CLASS
Translation Workshop: Ælfric’s Colloquy (McGillivray, pp. 161-63)
Week XVII
May 4 (M)
ENGLISH 4633 & ENGLISH 5633: FINAL ESSAY &
TRANSLATION EXAMINATION, 11:00 A.M.-12:50 P.M.
(LAR 217)