Old English and Beowulf
Old English, also called Anglo-Saxon, was spoken in England from roughly 600 to 1100 and is the direct ancestor of modern English. This MIT course starts with short prose texts to build the basics of Old English grammar, then moves to short poems, and spends the final third of the term on portions of the epic Beowulf. Coursework centers on translation practice, with daily vocabulary quizzes and three exams checking progress along the way. Materials on MIT OpenCourseWare include the syllabus, reading assignments, and study aids for grammar and vocabulary. The course suits students with an interest in the history of the English language or medieval literature who want to read Beowulf in its original language rather than in translation. No prior knowledge of Old English is assumed, though the pace is intensive.