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Research Extension in a History of English: York's Tale - 40N0130

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  • Department: English and Related Literature
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Beck Sinar
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

By expanding the word limit of the assessment demanded for the related module 'A History of English: York's Tale' by 5,000 words, this module provides you with the opportunity to undertake a substantial (dissertation length) piece of independent research in the History of English.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24
B Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

The main aim of this module is to support you in conducting and writing up independent linguistic research on some aspect of the English Language, past or present. During this module, you should:

  • Design and carry out a theoretical and/or empirical study in a specialised area
  • Demonstrate an ability to critique and challenge theoretical ideas which have been proposed.
  • Demonstrate progress towards the ability to synthesise and to present complex ideas with clarity.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, you should be able to:

  1. Understand the challenges posed in carrying out a substantial piece of independent research
  2. Be able to use various tools to aid your independent study of language variation and change in the history of English.
  3. Select, limit and question a particular topic of your own choice related to the module themes.
  4. Present academic work following the rubrics for presentation, written style and referencing.

Module content

Transferable skills developed in this module

All modules provide an opportunity to work on general oral/written communication skills (in class and in assessments) and general self management (organising your studies), alongside the subject-specific skills that the module teaches.

In addition, this module will allow students to particularly develop skills in creativity and innovation: in this module students will design and implement their own small-scale research project, writing it up according to the norms of academic publishing. In bringing the study to completion they will also demonstrate particularly high levels of self management.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

As this module requires independent and original research, you will be supported via 10 hours of tutorials. Some of these will be used to discuss submitted formative work (your essay plan and essay draft), but others will be used to provide you with further oral feedback on your research plans and academic writing. You should be prepared that some of these tutorials might be with other students and might involve you preparing work, including short presentations, in advance. The exact nature of the tutorials and feedback will depend on the research topic chosen and the nature of the research methodology.

Reassessment

None

Module feedback

Feedback on formative work

You will receive detailed written feedback on your formative work within 14 working days of submission. You will also have a one-to-one tutorial which will provide verbal feedback on your work and give you chance to discuss your work and the written feedback further. These tutorials will be scheduled at a convenient time following the return of the formative assessment. The purpose of feedback is to inform your future work; it is provided in a pedagogical spirit, and the NSC also offers you help in learning from your feedback.

Feedback on summative assessment

You will receive a mark on the University of York scale along with summarised written feedback on summative assessments within twenty working days of submission. Further written feedback can be requested via the YorkCourse Coordinator or the NSC Director.

Indicative reading

These will very much depend on the topic chosen and you should draw up a reading list in consultation with the module convenor. Some general key texts include:

  • Blake, N (1992, ed) The Cambridge History of the English Language. Volume 2: 1066 to 1476. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Hogg, R (1992, ed) The Cambridge History of the English Language. Volume 1: The beginnings to 1066. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  • Hogg, R.M and D. Denison (2008, eds) A History of the English Language. Cambridge: CUP.
  • van Kemenade, A and B. Los (2006, eds) The handbook of the history of English. London: Blackwells.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.