Bayeux Tapestry: Making of the Anglo-Norman World

English 5180

Tentative Syllabus

Place: Humanities 207

Time: Tuesdays: 11:00-12:15

Office:  TLC 2225 (678-839-6512)

Office hours:  9-11, 2-3:30 T, Th; And by Appointment

Email: mcrafton@westga.edu

Home page: http://www.westga.edu/~mcrafton/

 

 

Course Description

The Bayeux Tapestry, one of the single most important art objects from the Middle Ages and one of the very few textile art objects, represents a version of William of Normandy's conquest of Anglo-Saxon English in 1066. Not only does the Tapestry serve as a piece of propaganda of William's justification for his right to England, but it also contains a multitude of medieval artistic styles and literary genres. In particular, we see in the Tapestry elements of history, epic, and the beginnings of romance. This text also weaves connections between Normand and England, in effect, creating the Anglo-Norman world, a world that would transform the literary world of epic into that of medieval romance. In that class, we will study the Tapestry as text, as history, propaganda, and epic and we will read the epics of Beowulf and Roland to find parallels in the Tapestry. (It is claimed in the chronicles of the Conquest that the Song of Roland was sung to inspire the French troops in their battle with the English.) We will then read the history of Geoffrey of Monmouth in which he, out of praise for the memory of William, creates the Arthur myth. Then we will read the early texts of the mythology of Camelot by Marie de France, Chrétien de Troyes, and Wace and Layamon. Finally,-West Georgia is in a very rare-position, unique in North American, to have a facsimile of the Bayeux Tapestry hanging in the Humanities Building. As part of the course, we will take several opportunities to tour the Tapestry there and take note of its size and effect.

 

Course description

  • An examination of the literature of a specific region and the forces that shape its regional literary identity within the larger national contexts of the British Isles or the United States.  Frequent offerings in Southern literature will rotate with other topics.  May be repeated for credit as topic varies.
  • A further specific description pertaining to this section of the course may be added.

Graduate Course Goals

  • Students will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of literary works of a specific region within the United States or the British Isles.
  • Students will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of terminology and methods of regionalist literary theory.
  • Students will demonstrate an in-depth appreciation forthe ways in which the literature of a specific region is influenced by social, political, historical, and cultural forces.
  • Students will show comprehension and an application of theoretical and critical foundations for the interpretation of literature of the period through an annotated bibliography and/or oral presentation of 10-12 secondary sources.
  • Students will reveal in both oral and written work a discipline-specific critical facility through convincing and well-supported analysis of course-related material.
  • Students will display their command of academic English and of the tenets of sound composition by means of thesis-driven analytical prose, including at least 12-15 pages of research-based writing.
  • Students will be capable of conducting independent and meaningful course-related research and of synthesizing it in the form of a correctly documented research paper prepared according to current professional standards.

Graduate Program Goals

  • This course prepares students to complete successfully the comprehensive oral examination that is required for all M.A. degree candidates.
  • This course provides students with literary, historical, and critical contexts related to texts on the department's required reading list.
  • Oral presentations in the course strengthen students' presentation skills and prepare them further for the oral comprehensive examination which is required for the M.A. degree.
  • Gaining further knowledge of texts in this area strengthens students' content area knowledge, prepares them for taking nationally recognized standardized examinations (such as the advanced GRE subject examination in English), and further prepares them for careers in teaching, writing, and business or advanced graduate-level study.

General topics and assignments appropriate to those topics

  • To be determined by instructor.

Assessment activities

  • To be determined by instructor.
  • Students will display their command of academic English and of the tenets of  sound composition by means of thesis-driven analytical prose, including at least ten pages of research-based writing.

Other policies

  • Departmental plagiarism policies
  • Other policy statements specific to this class should be included on the syllabus.
  • A detailed calendar of readings and assignments should be made available to the class at the first class meeting. A copy should be posted electronically and kept on file in the English department office.
  • Students should be expected to come to class, prepared and able to participate.
  • MLA style should be emphasized and required on out-of-class essays.

 

 

Course Evaluation

5 % Participation and Quizzes
10%  Oral Report

10%  Response Paper
20%  Midterm Examination
25%  Final Examination
30%  Final Research Paper (minimum of 10 pages)

 

Attendance Requirements and Class Protocols

Improving your critical thinking, analytical writing, and presentation skills requires commitment and concentrated effort. Therefore, careful preparation and active participation are crucial to your success in this course. Obviously, you should be present and on time for all class meetings. Readings and other assignments should be completed in advance of each class. You should come prepared to participate actively in our class discussions. If you are going to be absent from class, you should let me know in advance. Late work will not be accepted unless you make arrangements with me in advance and you have a legitimate reason (a serious medical or family emergency) for turning in work after it is due.
In the case of excused absences, it is your responsibility to make arrangements with me to complete assignments you have missed immediately upon your return to class. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a zero or grade reduction for work not submitted on time. You will not be able to make up missed in-class assignments or quizzes, and you will not receive credit for these assignments.   If you find it unavoidable to miss class, be aware of the following guidelines:
 
a) Four absences are allowed during the course. Every absence thereafter will result in a one-third letter grade reduction of your final grade in the course, regardless of the nature of the absence. No distinctions will be made between excused and unexcused absences.
b) Roll will be taken during every class period at the beginning of class. If you arrive late, it is your responsibility to let us know so you are not counted absent.
c) It is your responsibility to keep up with your absences and late arrivals.
d) You should use your allotted absences wisely. Unplanned or unexpected occurrences are likely, so be prepared to use absences for these events only.
e) Entering class late and leaving class before it is over will count as an unexcused absence, unless you have a legitimate medical excuse for doing so.
f) Excessive absences or tardiness from class may result in your administrative withdrawal from this course with a grade of F.
g) Please turn off all cell phones and pagers before entering class.

h) This class meets for a long time, and we will take a fifteen minute break in order to take a quick bite of food or refreshment.  Please refrain from eating during class.

 

 

 

Classroom Presentations
Throughout the course, you will be expected to complete outside reading and homework assignments, written and oral classroom presentations, and other classroom activities. These assignments are designed to reinforce the information presented in reading assignments and lectures. Classroom presentations will give you an opportunity to present information to the class for consideration and discussion. You will not be able to make up presentation assignments that are missed due to absence from class. Presentations will be assessed on the basis on organization, clarity, and presentation style. I will provide you with a list of assignments and guidelines for the presentations as the course progresses.

 

Midterm and Final Examinations

Examinations will be based on reading assignments, course lectures, and other materials presented in class. For each examination students will be expected to know the major terms and figures, concepts and theories related to the study of the literature that will be presented in reading assignments and course lectures. Consequently, students should be thoroughly familiar with each reading assignment and be prepared to take notes during class. Examinations in this class will largely be essay type.  Examinations cannot be taken late or scheduled at an alternate time unless you have a serious medical emergency or another legitimate reason for doing so. In the event that such circumstances arise, you must let me know in advance to schedule an alternate time to take the examination. Otherwise, late exams will be marked down one letter grade for each day they are taken late. I will provide you with a study guide prior to each exam.

 

Final Research Paper

The final research paper (a minimum of 10 pages of type-written research-based analysis) will represent the culmination of your study in this course.

 

ADA Compliance

Every class offered by the English Department of the University of West Georgia makes every effort to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  If you need assistance in this regard, please feel free to contact the instructor or office of Dr. Anne Phillips in Parker Hall.

 

Technology
You need to be familiar with finding sources online and other aspects of computer technology for this class. I will assist you if you have questions. Also, information can be found online at the UWG Technology / Surfing Guide: http://www.westga.edu/~techlife/

 

Plagiarism & Academic Dishonesty
UWG defines plagiarism as taking personal credit for the words and ideas of others as they are presented in electronic, print, and verbal sources. I expect that students will accurately credit sources in all assignments. An equally dishonest practice is fabricating sources or facts; it is another form of misrepresenting the truth. Plagiarism is grounds for failing the course.  Any student caught submitting materials (in part or whole) as their own work from online websites will fail the course automatically and be referred to the Academic Discipline Council. For additional information, please see http://www.westga.edu/~engdept/Plagiarism

 

Conferences and Outside Assistance
I will be glad to meet with you outside of class to discuss your work in this class, the writing assignments, or the texts we are studying. If you are having trouble with the material in this class or have questions and/or concerns you would like to discuss, please set up a time to meet with me.

 

Readings and Assignments

Readings and assignments should be completed on by the dates listed below.  Updates to the reading assignments along with other materials and assignments can be found on my website for this course: http://www.westga.edu/~mcrafton

 

Texts:

Online version of BT:

http://www.essentialnormanconquest.com/bayeux/startpc.dcr

 

James J. Wilhelm, ed. The Romance of Arthur : An Anthology of Medieval Texts in Translation. New York: Garland,

Seamus Heaney, trans. Beowulf: A Verse Translation (Norton Critical Editions).  New York: Norton, 2002.

Glyn S. Burgess, trans. The Song of Roland. London: Penguin, 1990.

Anonymous.     King Harald's Saga : Harald Hardradi of Norway: From Snorri Sturluson's Heimskringla. London: Penguin, 1966.

Other texts: BT_Texts


Daily Assignments

 

T          14        Introduction to Course: 

 

Th        16        Survey the BT

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T          21        Historical Context: Norman – Poitiers, Jumieges

                                    Monumental Art: Rome Connection

Th        23        Historical Context: Anglo-Saxon – Chronicle, Vita Edwardi

                                    Renovatio imperii

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T          28        Chronicle and heroic saga: Carmen, Eadmer

                                    Empire an Byzantium

Th        30        Wace, William of Malmesbury

                                    Silks and textile production

 

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T          5          Song of Roland 

                                    Chansons de geste and medieval epic

Th        7          Song of Roland

                                    Chanson continued: Dodwell and Brown

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T          12        Beowulf

                                    Anglo-Saxon Art and Architecture

Th        14        Beowulf: Gail Owen-Crocker

                                    Anglo-Saxon Art and Architecture

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T          19        Beowulf and “Battle of Maldon”

                                   

Th        21        Harold’s Saga: Short paper due

 

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T          26        Harold’s Saga:

 

Th        28        Adelae comitessae

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T          3          Survey of epic and chronicle studies

 

Th        5          Mid-Term

 

Fr         6          Last day to withdraw with a W.

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T          10       Fall Break: No Classes

 

Th        12        Sources of Romance -- Troubadors

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T          17        Gerald Bond and Aelfgiva

 

Th        19        Troubador and Bond continued

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T          24        Arthurian sources: Latin and Welsh

 

Th        26        Culhwch and Olwen    

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T          31        Geoffrey of Monmouth

 

Th        2          Geoffrey of Monmouth

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T          7          Wace

 

Th        9          Layamon

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T          14        Beroul and Marie

 

Th        16        Thomas

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T          21        Paper workshop

 

Th        23        Thanksgiving

 

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T          28        Presentations:

 

Th        30        Presentations: Last Day of Class  (Final Paper due Friday at 5:00)

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T          5          Final Exam: 11:00-1:00