Instructor Interview
Below, Prof. Arthur Bahr describes various aspects of how he taught 21L.601J Old English and Beowulf in the spring of 2023.
- The Challenge of Learning Old English
- Selecting the Assigned Texts
- Priorities for Student Learning
- The Mental Health Day
- How the Course Has Evolved
- Plans for Future Iterations of the Course
For insights into how Prof. Bahr taught an earlier iteration of this course, see the page linked below.
Curriculum Information
Prerequisites
None
Requirements Satisfied
- 21L.601J can be applied toward a Bachelor of Science in Literature, a Bachelor of Science in Linguistics, or an interdisciplinary concentration in Ancient and Medieval Studies, but is not required.
- 21L.601J counts toward MIT’s General Institute Requirement in Humanities and Social Sciences.
Offered
About once a year
Assessment and Grading
Students’ grades were based on the following activities:
- 75% Three exams (weighted either 25%-25%-25% or 15%-25%-35%, whichever is more advantageous to the student’s grade)
- 10% Daily vocabulary quizzes
- 15% Attendance, participation, and preparation
Student Information
Enrollment
10 students
Student Background
Most were juniors or seniors, but there were a few sophomores and one first-year student. Almost all had primary majors in science or engineering, but most had a second major in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, concentrating in ancient and medieval studies (AMS), linguistics, and/or literature.
How Student Time Was Spent
During an average week, students were expected to spend 12 hours on the course, roughly divided as follows:
Lectures
- Met twice per week for 1.5 hours per session; 26 sessions total; mandatory attendance.
Out of Class
- Outside of class, students completed the assigned readings and studied vocabulary and grammar in preparation for exams and quizzes.
