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English 4610
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Dr. M. Diane Krantz |
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Elizabeth Hall 453
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OH M 11-11:50; T 11:30-12:20; by appointment |
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Phone: 626-6543 |
Email: dkrantz@weber.edu |
| EH 203 | http://faculty.weber.edu/dkrantz |
Required Texts:
The
Norton Anthology of English Literature, 8th ed. Vol. A
On library reserve or available on web pages:
Andreas Capellanus, The Art of Courtly Love http://www.eleanorofaquitaine.net/book_of_love.html
C. S. Lewis, The Discarded Image
Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces; Summary: Journey of the Hero
Boethius: The Consolation of Philosophy http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/latin/ boethius/boephil.html
Description:
English 4610 is an introduction to
the best works of Old and Middle English Literature. We will cover a variety of
genres in order to appreciate the extraordinary diversity and richness of a
period misleadingly referred to as "The Dark Ages." We will look at
medieval ideas about drama, the problem of predestination versus free will, the
treatment of the hero and of good and evil, attitudes toward women, the
connections between the secular and the divine, and the treatment and
reflection of the social conditions of the times. We'll be reading with a
consciousness of the historical continuity of the period, its connection with
the artistic works of the Renaissance, and its difference from and similarity
to our own time.
To understand the literary foundations of
modern writing in English
To appreciate the greatness of early
literary texts
To participate in the discussion about
such texts
To analyze different elements of
different genres
To interpret and enjoy literary works
To increase awareness and understanding
of human nature and human problems expressed in such texts.
To communicate critical perspectives on
literary texts
Journal Assignment:
You will
submit journal entries on the reading each week for which the reading is due.
These will be informal (you won't be marked down for poor grammar) and short (250
words). Your
grade for journaling begins as an A. You can only lower it by a) failing to
mail entries in at the end of the week they are due or b) by
inappropriate responses (summary rather than interpreting or critiquing;
lacking enough specifics to show you read the work--I will provide a successful example at the beginning of the course). As prompts, you can use any of the
reading guides or supplementary links indicated in the syllabus.
Writing Requirements and Grading:
An objective midterm
10%
a final
exam
(essay) 30%
a weekly
journal
20%
a
researched critical paper of about 12-15 pages on a topic
suggested or approved by the
instructor ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ40%
Readings are due the week for which they are listed.
You are expected to write a journal entry in response to any one of the
readings or parts of readings if complete ones are not assigned. You may use
the reading guide questions or, if none are provided, analyze one element of
the text such as the main character, the setting, the plot structure or
interpret according to a particular literary critical school.
Disabilities: Any student requiring accommodations or services
due to a disability must contact Services for Students with disabilities (SSD)
in room 181 of the Student Service Center. SSD can also arrange to provide
course materials (including this syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary.
Ethics: Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to,
cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsification, accessing unauthorized course
or test information, using unauthorized resources or breaching copyright law
will result in an E in this course, and may result in charges issued, hearings
held, and/or sanctions imposed.
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Mon |
Introduction to Medieval Literature; Freewrite and discuss: Your conceptions of, response to
the so-called "Middle Ages." |
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Wed |
The Anglo-Saxon Period and
Language pp 1-7 &22. Historical and cultural background. Bede's Ecclesiastical History,
including Caedmon's Hymn. pp 24-27.
Christian influence on oral pagan poetry.
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Fri |
"The Dream of the Rood" and "Judith" pp.
27-29; 100-108. Viking history and Christ as Anglo-Saxon warrior-hero. The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell,
"Stages of the Hero's Journey." Reading guide. Notes on Judith Video and Notes on the Ruthwell
Cross. |
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Mon |
"The Wanderer"; "King Alfred," "The
Wife's Lament," 108-114: Anglo-Saxon life and culture. Reading guide
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Wed |
Beowulf. pp. 29-53.
Introduction and the fight with Grendel. My
introduction: some arguments about the text. Christian-pagan controversy. Reading guide |
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Holiday |
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Celtic Contexts:
128-141; medieval architecture
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Weds |
Middle English lit:
14th and 15th C and Pronunciation of Middle
English10-21; 23.
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Fri |
Arthurian Myth in the History of Britain pp, 117-128; Reading Guide.
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Piers Plowman 343-354. Recurring themes in
Medieval religious literature.
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In-class discussion: description of paper--what you learned.
Long paper due. |
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4/29 |
FINAL EXAM 7-9 am |
