This course introduces the study of historical linguistics and examines the history of the English language from its birth in the fifth and sixth centuries to its present position as a world language. Students study phonetic changes, vocabulary growth and changes, and syntactic variations. Students identify and distinguish among the languages and cultures of Old English, Middle English, Early Modern English, and Modern English. Also, students study the social, political, and technological histories of English-speaking peoples, and invasions and cultural movements that shape the development of English. Historical changes in the development of the English language will be illustrated with literary and cultural texts.