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SCHOOL OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
Professor Garnett.
B. A. COURSE.
Modern English.—In this class the study of the English drama and of
the descriptive history of the language is pursued; Shakspere is made a special
subject of study. The critical study of one or two plays of Shakspere, with
private reading of about one-fourth of the plays, is followed by similar study of
selected works of other dramatic authors. Lectures on the history of the
Elizabethan drama are given in connection with the study of Shakspere. These
Moralities and Interludes; the rise of regular comedy and tragedy as seen in
Ralph Royster Doyster and in Gorboduc; the Pre-shaksperian dramatists,
Lyle, Peele, Greene and Marlowe; the Shaksperian period, including Shakspere,
Ben Jonson, Beaumont and Fletcher, and Webster; and the Post shaksperian
dramatists to the closing of the theatres in 1642. The study of the English
drama occupies the first half-session; that of the history of English, treated
from an elementary point of view, the second half-session. The course closes
with the reading of some work in practical illustration of the formation of English.
The aim is to give such a knowledge of the history of the language as
every educated man should possess. Three lectures a week.
Text-Books.—For 1894-'95, King Henry IV., Part I. (Rolfe's edition); Ward's Old
English Drama; Dowden's Shakspere Primer; Abbott's Shaksperian Grammar; Champneys's
History of English; Skeat's Primer of English Etymology; Chaucer's Prologue to
the Canterbury Tales. For Reference.—The Globe Shakspere; Fleay's Life of Shakspere;
Fleay's History of the Stage, 1559-1642; Halliwell-Phillips's Life of Shakspere; Keltie's
British Dramatists; Sweet's New English Grammar, Logical and Historical, Part I.
M. A. COURSE.
Old and Middle English.—In this class the historical and philological
study of the language is pursued, the class beginning with its oldest forms and
tracing the language, by the study of specimens, through its different periods to
the formation of modern English. After a thorough study of the grammar, selected
pieces of Old and Middle English prose and poetry are read, with a view
to acquiring a philological knowledge of the origin and structure of English.
Lectures on the position of English in the Indo-European family of languages,
and on the history of the language, are also given. These treat in outline the
other branches of the Indo-European family of languages, and in detail the Teutonic
branch. Special stress is laid upon the development of the language during
the Old and Middle English periods, and the infusion of the Romance elements
which so greatly affected its character. The study of Old English (Anglo-Saxon)
occupies the first half-session; that of Middle English, the second half-session.
In addition to what is read in class, assigned parallel reading of Old
and Middle English works is also required. It is well for the student to have
studied the history of English as given in the class of Modern English, or
some similar course, before entering upon the study of the course in Old and
Middle English, although this is not essential, as the two may be studied together.
Some antecedent philological study is, however, necessary. The aim
is to lay the foundation for more advanced studies in English Philology. Three
lectures a week.
Text-Books.—Bright's Anglo-Saxon Reader; Morris and Skeat's Specimens of Early
English, Parts I. and II.; Cook's Sievers's Grammar of Old English; Earle's Anglo-Saxon
Literature. For Reference.—Ten Brink's Early English Literature; Brooke's History of
Early English Literature; Skeat's Principles of English Etymology, First and Second Series.
PH. D. COURSE.
This course is arranged to suit the needs of those students who desire to
pursue further their work in English Philology. It will comprise the further
study of Old and Middle English works, especially of Old English poetry,
or the study of Gothic and the comparative grammar of the Teutonic languages.
In addition to such examinations as may seem advisable, a dissertation
will be required, giving evidence of independent private study of some subject
cognate with the course pursued. The selection of the course and subject
is left to the student himself under the guidance of the Professor. The completion
of the M. A. Course in Old and Middle English is absolutely necessary
to the prosecution of the Ph. D. Course.
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