Tentative Syllabus
HUM 225
MW 3:30-4:45
Instructor: Dr Micheal Crafton
Office hours: MW 9-11
Office location: TLC 2-225; Bonner House
Course description: An in-depth study of medieval
English literature in its various aspects, considering texts in their historical
context.
Trapp, J.B, Douglas Gray and Julia Boffey, eds.Medieval English Literature.2nd ed.Oxford: Oxford UP, 2002.
Marie de
France.The Lays of Marie de France.Trans. Glyn S. burgess and Keith
Busby.London: Penguin, 1986.
·Students will develop a theoretical and critical foundation for interpreting medieval literature.
·Students will gain the ability to understand the interrelationship between the texts and their cultural contexts.
·Students will develop the rhetorical skills required for reporting on topics of medievalism in oral presentations.
·Students will demonstrate in both oral and written work a discipline-specific critical facility through convincing and well-supported analysis of course-related material.
·Students will demonstrate their command of academic English and of the tenets of sound composition by means of thesis-driven analytical prose.
·Required
texts and other readings/materials:
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This
course fulfills one of departmental requirements for the completion of
the English major.
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The
course will contribute to the larger goal of equipping students with a
foundation in literary history and the issues surrounding literary study
in contemporary culture.
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Students
will develop the analytical, oral and written skills to pursue graduate
study or careers in teaching, writing, business and a variety of other
fields.
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Students
will be able to define and pursue independent research agendas.
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Courses
seek to broaden students' desire and ability to take pleasure in their
encounter with literature.
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1. Mid-Term Exam= 20 %
2. Final Exam = 25 %
3. Two Response Papers = 20 %
4. Participation = 10 %
5. Research Essay = 25 %
Class Project
1. A standard research paper (10 pages long, 8 to 10 references) on one of the primary texts of the course, which provides a reading of the text or supports a reading of the text by means of historical context.
Class Policies:
Attendance: Since this class meets only twice a week, attendance is all the more important. Attendance should be understood as more than merely occupying space in a passive manner; rather, it should be understand as a productive act. In fact, it should be considered a production in the way that creating a paper or report is considered as a production. In order to get full credit, your presence must be known, and it must be known as that of a prepared student working to make the class an event of learning, of intellectual and artistic exchange.
Late Work: Generally, my policy for unexcused late work is that it loses a letter grade for every day it is late. There are, of course, extenuating circumstances, but these need to be made and made well.
Plagiarism: Intentional plagiarism, that is, the conscious adoption of someone else's writing or ideas as your own is a profanation to everything I hold important. If a student is clearly guilty of this, the result will be an F for the class and a report to the disciplinary officials of the University.
Daily Assignments:
All chapter references and page number references are to the texts listed above.
Week 1: Anglo-Saxon Literature
M 19Introduction to course and Anglo-Saxon history
W 21 Caedmon's Hymn and AS Prosody
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Week 2: Anglo-Saxon Literature
M 26Elegies
W 28 Judith, Enigmas and Wisdom, Riddles, Genesis, Dream of the Rood
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Week 3: Anglo-Saxon Literature
M 2 Labor Day
W 4 Beowulf (Film: Beowulf and the Roots of Anglo-Saxon Poetry): Quiz of Choice
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Week 4: Anglo-Saxon Literature
M 9 Beowulf : Survey of Translations: Artistry:
Film clip from Story of English: Quiz on select scenes.
W 11 Beowulf and “Battle of Maldon”: Modern
Criticism: Modern Echoes: Hopkins, Pound, Wilbur, 13th
Warrior: Quiz on Malden
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Week 5: Anglo-Norman Literature and the Romance
M 16 Introduction of Anglo-Norman history (tour of Bayeaux Tapestry): Paper # 1 due (Topic: Anglo-Saxon Context and Beowulf)
W 18 Marie de France
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Week 6: Anglo-Norman Literature and the Romance
M 23 Marie de France
W 25 Marie de France
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Week 7: Middle English Period (Romance)
M 30Return Bewoulf and Minor Poetry Papers: Review for Mid-Term: Click her for study guide.
W 2 Mid-Term Exam ###
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Week 8: Middle English Period (Romance)
M 7 Land of Cockayne Thomas the Rhymer, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
W 9Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
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Week 9: Middle English Period (Allegory)
M 14 Piers Plowman
W 16 Piers Plowman
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Week 10: Middle English Period (Women’s Literature)
M 21 Selections
W 23 Selections
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Week 11: Middle English Period (Chaucer)
M 28 Legend of Good Women
W 30 Troilus and Criseyde: for an online transation here: (Caveat lector)
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Week 12: Middle English Period (Chaucer)
M 4 Canterbury Tales: General Prologue:: Paper # 2 due (Topic: Chaucer’s Troilus and Romance Genre)
W 6 Canterbury Tales: Franklin’s Tale: Discuss Term Paper: Notes on the Research Paper
M 25 Study Guide for Final:
W 27 Thanksgiving Holidays
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Week 15: Final Things
M 2 Productions of Plays 1, 2, and perhaps 3.Click here for the texts for our productions:
W 4 Last Production 3-4-5:Term Paper due.
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Final Exam Monday Dec. 9th, 2:00-4:00
(Web page of drama pictures: DAY
ONE and DAY
TWO