“The inventions and discoveries achieved by the virtuosos of swearing comprise a rich treasury …. The oaths that bloomed in the springtime and maturity of these swearers’ powers displayed an originality, a virtuosity, a musicality, and an eloquence that not infrequently attained the summit of art”
(Ashley Montagu)
Professor J. Stodnick
Office Hours: W 1.30 p.m.—2.30 p.m. (and at other times by appointment)
624 Carlisle Hall (mailbox in 204 Carlisle Hall)
Course materials
Copypacket
Philip Larkin, Collected Poems. Edited by Anthony Thwaite. Farrar, Straus and Giroux: 2004. ISBN: 978-0374529208
D.H. Lawrence, Lady Chatterley’s Lover
You will also need a working e-mail address (every UTA student can obtain one free of charge—go to the IT helpdesk, floor 1 of the main library for assistance)
Course Description
This course will take both a thematic and a linguistic approach to the topic of mean language. The curiously double nature of such language is epitomized by the term “swearing,” which can refer both to a formal statement made with particular seriousness of intent and to the informal situation of uttering an obscenity. When and why is swearing an oath a laudable act? When is it an execrable act? What is the effect of the oath on the oath-swearer? On the course of the narrative? How does the reader recognize an oath as an oath, or as a false oath? Within what cultural and institutional networks does the notion of false swearing emerge? In thinking about these questions and others, we will read a number of texts that directly engage the topic of mean language. While historicizing the concept of mean language, then, we will also be attentive to its particular historical manifestations. By using the OED we will trace the changing register of words as they move between the realms of ordinary language, slang, and obscenity.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will acquire experience of working in groups, giving a presentation, and writing a long research paper
- Students will gain experience analyzing texts as cultural phenomena
- Students will gain experience using the Oxford English Dictionary
- Students will learn about the changing definition of swearing, what type of language is classified as swearing, and how this language impacts on and is impacted by other cultural categories such as class, race and gender
Drop policy:Students may drop or swap (adding and dropping a class concurrently) classes through self-service in MyMav from the beginning of the registration period through the late registration period. After the late registration period, students must see their academic advisor to drop a class or withdraw. Undeclared students must see an advisor in the University Advising Center. Drops can continue through April 1st. It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw if they do not plan to attend after registering. Students will not be automatically dropped for non-attendance. Repayment of certain types of financial aid administered through the University may be required as the result of dropping classes or withdrawing. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.
Grading and Attendance Policy: Attendance is vital and will count towards your grade, as will participation in class. Absences over four will result in your overall grade being reduced by 5% for every additional absence. Full and timely completion of assignments will also be reflected in your grade. If you hand in an assignment late, your grade for that assignment will be reduced by one letter per day after the due date. If you fail to hand in an assignment at all, you will receive a grade of 0 for that assignment. Grading will be broken down as follows:
Attendance, participation and quizzes10%
Midterm Exam 15%
Final Exam20%
Term Project—Project Proposal5%
OED Analysis20%
Presentation8%
Analytical Paper22%
Academic dishonesty policy: It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University. "Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts." [Regents' Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter Vi, Section 3, Subsection 3.2, Subdivision 3.22]
Americans with Disabilities Act: The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of all federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). All instructors at UT Arlington are required by law to provide "reasonable accommodations" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Any student requiring an accommodation for this course must provide the instructor with official documentation in the form of a letter certified by the staff in the Office for Students with Disabilities, University Hall 102. Only those students who have officially documented a need for an accommodation will have their request honored. Information regarding diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining disability-based academic accommodations can be found at or by calling the Office for Students with Disabilities at (817) 272-3364.
Academic Integrity: It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University. According to the UT System Regents’ Rule 50101, §2.2, "Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts."
Student Support Services Available: The University of Texas at Arlington provides a variety of resources and programs designed to help students develop academic skills, deal with personal situations, and better understand concepts and information related to their courses. These resources include tutoring, major-based learning centers, developmental education, advising and mentoring, personal counseling, and federally funded programs. For individualized referrals to resources for any reason, students may contact the Maverick Resource Hotline at 817-272-6107 or visit for more information.
Electronic Communication Policy:The University of Texas at Arlington has adopted the University “MavMail” address as the sole official means of communication with students. MavMail is used to remind students of important deadlines, advertise events and activities, and permit the University to conduct official transactions exclusively by electronic means. For example, important information concerning registration, financial aid, payment of bills, and graduation are now sent to students through the MavMail system. All students are assigned a MavMail account. Students are responsible for checking their MavMail regularly. Information about activating and using MavMail is available at There is no additional charge to students for using this account, and it remains active even after they graduate from UT Arlington.
To obtain your NetID or for logon assistance, visit If you are unable to resolve your issue from the Self-Service website, contact the Helpdesk .
Library: Rafia Mirza is the Librarian for the English Department. She can be reached at 817 272 7428, and by email at
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
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Week One
R8/25—ACTIVITY:Class introductions.
Course description, objectives, and syllabus
What is swearing?
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Week Two
Section One— “Oaths are the fossils of piety” (George Santayana)
T 8/30—Beowulf 1-1250
R9/1—Beowulf 1251-3182
The Laws of King Alfred, 871-901
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Week Three
T 9/6—Cynewulf and Cyneheard
The Battle of Maldon
Lokasenna
Section Two— “Christ’s blood, these days, is reckoned of little price among the greater part of the people” (John Waldeby)
R 9/8—The Owl and the Nightingale
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Week Four
T 9/13—Thomas Malory, Morte D’Arthure, “The Knight of the Cart”
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Parts 1 and 2
R 9/15—Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Parts 3 and 4
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Week Five
T 9/20— Geoffrey Chaucer, General Prologue 725-46
Man of Law’s Tale
R 9/22—Man of Law’s Tale (cont.)
Franklin’s Tale
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Week Six
T 9/27—Pardoner’s Tale
Section of Parson’s Tale
Skelton, Poems
R 9/29—Pardoner’s Tale
Section of Parson’s Tale
Skelton, Poems
PROJECT PROPOSAL DUE
______Week Seven
Section Three— “Why, thou clay-brained guts, thou nott-pated fool, thou whoreson, obscene, greasy tallow-keech” (William Shakespeare)
T 10/4—Robert Copland, The Highway to the Spital-House
R 10/6—Thomas Harman, A Caveat or Warning for Common Cursitors, Vulgarly Called Vagabonds
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Week Eight
T10/11—MIDTERM EXAM
R 10/13—Philip Stubbes, Anatomie of Abuses (, 129-36
Shakespeare, extract from Richard II and Henry IV Part I
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Week Nine
T 10/18—Writing Workshop
Section Four— “Blasphemy itself could not survive religion; if anyone doubts that let him try to blaspheme Odin” (G.K. Chesterton)
R 10/20—John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester, Poems
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Week Ten
T 10/25—Jonathan Swift, “The Lady’s Dressing Room”and Polite Conversation
R 10/27—Jonathan Swift, The Swearer’s Bank. Extracts from Steele and Addison.
OED ANALYSIS DUE
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Week Eleven
Section Five— “Damns have had their day”(Sheridan)
T 11/1—Robert Graves, LarsPorsena or The Future of Swearing and Improper Language
R 11/3—Robert Graves, LarsPorsena or The Future of Swearing and Improper Language
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Week Twelve
T11/8— Writing Workshop
R11/10—D.H. Lawrence, A Propos of Lady Chatterley’s Lover
Lady Chatterley’s Lover
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Week Thirteen
T11/15—D.H. Lawrence, Lady Chatterley’s Lover
R11/17— D.H. Lawrence, Lady Chatterley’s Lover
Trial Records
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Week Fourteen
T11/22— Philip Larkin, Selected poems
Joseph Bristow, “The obscenity of Philip Larkin”
R11/24—No class. Thanksgiving break
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Week Fifteen
T11/29— Student presentations
R 12/1— Student presentations
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Week Sixteen
T12/6— Student presentations
ANALYTICAL PAPER DUE
R 12/8— Student presentations
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FINAL EXAM — Date TBA
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