Fall 2017 - ENGL 201 D100
Medieval Literature (3)
Class Number: 3881
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Mon, Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Dec 12, 2017
Tue, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
William Green
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Prerequisites:
Two 100 division English courses.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Anglo-Saxon literature and Middle English literature, in translation when necessary. Students with credit for ENGL 204 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.
COURSE DETAILS:
In the popular imagination, the European Middle Ages or medieval period is the ill-defined location of the fabulous and the obsolete—kings and peasants, castles and knights, dragons and faeries—that modern society has left behind but about which we still dream. Of course, what we usually see of the Middle Ages in films, modern literature, and theme parks is the inheritance more of several intervening centuries of stories told about the Middle Ages than of the medieval sources themselves. In this course we’ll read selections from many of the most famous medieval English texts from both before and after the Norman Conquest, including Beowulf, the Canterbury Tales, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, along with other works in a broad range of genres including histories, hagiographies, homilies, riddles, charms, romance, visions, and religious drama.
The people who wrote and read these texts, like us, had their own imaginative ideas about the past—often featuring figures such as, among others, Romans and Trojans, King Arthur and his knights, and the Christian saints—and we’ll read with a particular emphasis on exploring the ways our medieval past is different from, and, perhaps surprisingly, similar to, the medieval’s own past. When (and where) was the “past” for people in medieval England? Who produced these tales of the past? Why did the past matter and how and why did they write about it? And did it hold any information about the future?
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
- Understanding of the historical development of medieval English literature along with the cultural contexts of its production
- An introduction to the history of the English language and to reading Middle English texts
- Literary research skills and argumentation
Grading
- Preparation and participation 15%
- Etymology assignment (2-3 pages) 15%
- In-class exam and essay 15%
- Research bibliography (1-2 pages) 10%
- Research essay (5-7 pages) 20%
- Final exam 25%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
The Broadview Anthology of British Literature, Volume 1: The Medieval Period, 3rd edition, Joseph Black, et al. (editors), Peterborough, Ont: Broadview Press (ISBN 155481202X) (online access code required)
Department Undergraduate Notes:
IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.
For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS