Summer 2019 - ENGL 306 J100

Chaucer (4)

Class Number: 5856

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Mon, 5:30–7:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The study of selected works by Geoffrey Chaucer, especially The Canterbury Tales, read in the language in which they were written and situated in the context of Fourteenth century European culture.

COURSE DETAILS:

Geoffrey Chaucer is one of the greatest writers in the English language. He usually tops the list of the greatest pre-Shakespearean writers, and makes the top five before 1800. But why? This course explores Chaucer's key works, notably the Canterbury Tales but also Troilus & Criseyde and the Parliament of Fouls, to show exactly how he takes the two-dimensional, plot-driven, episodic conventions of medieval storytelling and upends them to create vibrant, colourful, structurally complex works, ushering in modern English literature. Due to the nature of course material, this class is not suitable for young children.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

* Familiarity with Chaucer's corpus

* A fair level of comfort with the late Middle English language

* Examination of Chaucer's innovations in the depiction of character

* Examination of Chaucer's innovations in English poetics

* Awareness of Chaucer's interaction with contemporary Continental literature and with folk literature

Grading

  • Participation 11%
  • Middle English Presentation 1 (12 min.) 12%
  • Canterbury Tales discussion lead (12 min.) 12%
  • Midterm 25%
  • Paper introduction (first 300 words) 12%
  • Research Paper 28%

NOTES:

Please note that the textbooks have changed from the initial course outline due to availability issues.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

A Companion to Chaucer and His Contemporaries: Texts and Contexts
Ed. Laurel Amtower &  Jacqueline Vanhoutte (2009).

ISBN: 9781551117966

Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales – Second Edition
Ed. Robert Boenig & Andrew Taylor (2012). 
ISBN: 9781554811069

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://www.sfu.ca/students/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