Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - ENGL 433W D100

Seminar in British Literatures (4)

The Robin Hood Tradition

Class Number: 2270

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units or two 300-division English courses.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Advanced seminar in British literature. May be organized by author, genre, period, or critical approach. This course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

The Robin Hood Tradition

In this course, we will examine the Robin Hood tradition. We’ll begin with selections from the surviving medieval texts, focusing on A Gest of Robyn Hode, before proceeding through 16th and 17th century ballads. Our course will conclude with films, an artistic form which has supported quite a proliferation of Robin Hood adaptations.

Our task is straightforward enough: to understand the resources offered by the Robin Hood tradition to writers medieval and modern. We will think carefully about how a particular group of texts can serve as the basis for a wide range of continuations, adaptations, and revisions which share perhaps little in common with one another. In doing so, we will grapple with difficult questions of interpretation, of interpreting questions, of meaning, of “traditions” and “canons,” and the role played by writing (in all its forms) in refusing closure on literary history.

No prior knowledge of Middle English is required for this course.

Grading

  • Short reflections 15%
  • Oral presentation 15%
  • Midterm paper (5-7 pages) 30%
  • Final paper (10-12 pages) 40%

NOTES:

Students will complete 4 short reflections across term, but only the strongest three will count towards the grade.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Robin Hood and Other Outlaw Tales, 9781580440677 (This text is available online through the publisher)
ISBN: 9781580440677

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.