Course syllabus
ENGLISH 302: Middle English Popular Literature
SEMESTER 2, 2018
15 points
Course Convenor: Roger Nicholson
Teaching staff: Roger Nicholson
AndrewDawson
Contact Details: Roger Nicholson
Arts 1, 601; ph. 737599 ext 87090
Office Hours: Friday, 11.00-12.00 p.m.
Andrew Dawson
Lecture times: Monday, 9.00-10.00 a.m. (Sci., Maths and Physics, Rm 101)
Thursday, 9.00-10.00 a.m. (Sci., Maths and Physics, Rm 101)
Course delivery format:
2 hours of lectures per week
1 hour of tutorial per week (Weeks 2-11)
(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)
Summary Course Description:
'Middle English Popular Literature’ opens up discussion of narrative fiction in the medieval period, by detailed reading of a significant body of engaging stories, composed in different modes, and/or media. The impact of these texts derives partly from subject matter (love, sex, God, violence, rebellion, subversion), but frequently also from their sheer poetic power. Most immediately, however, they compel our interest because they are directed at a range of audiences and, in consequence, employ English, the language of the people, rather one of England’s other important languages, Latin and French.
Our study of medieval, vernacular narrative centres on tales by Chaucer—clearly the greatest Middle English poet and, equally, one of the finest narrative poets in the language—but also ranges across a number of genres with which more obviously popular writers and audiences were familiar. So, along with Chaucer tales, we study several short romances, mostly anonymous, that display the narrative possibilities of the genre—a typical interest in adventure and passion—as well as textual practices employed by poets in a manuscript or performance culture. Chaucer's sharply 'realistic' writing also figures in the course, especially his comic, bawdy tales. But then we also read works of popular religion—since religion in this period is truly popular—including tales by Chaucer, some lyrics and, especially plays draw from a burgeoning medieval theatre. We conclude with narrative poems that not only embody various senses of the popular in medieval culture, but also install a traditional subject of popular fiction that carries into the 21st century, tales of Robin Hood.
Course outcomes:
-
A student who successfully completes this course will have the opportunity to develop the following:
- Sound close reading skills
- Ability to engage with multiple genres
- Ability to think critically about texts
- Ability to deal with theoretical concepts used in the course
- Ability to exchange, discuss and defend ideas and opinion
- Note: Above all, students can expect to become confident readers of medieval English literary texts, especially Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, but also narratives that circulated in written form, although commonly composed for listeners. This confidence will be based in knowledge of medieval English language and a sure understanding of the social and cultural contexts within which the literature played a role. The course supports wider studies in English literature, particularly advanced study in the literature of the medieval and early modern periods.
This course satisfies the historical requirement for an English major.
Weekly Topics:
Please note: this list of texts and topics is provisional (Check back at the beginning of semester)
1. Introduction: lyrics, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, 'General Prologue'
2. 'General Prologue'
Romance: Athelston
3. King Horn
Lay le Freine
4. Sir Launfal
Comic Tales: Chaucer, C.T., 'The Shipman'sTale'
5. 'The Miller's Tale', 'The Reeve's Tale'
6. 'The Reeve's Tale'
CLASS TEST (August 23)
[Mid-Semester Break]
7. Popular Religion:
Mystery plays: 'Cain and Abel', 'Magnus Herodes'
8. 'The Crucifixion'
Morality plays: Mankind
9. Chaucer and religion: 'The Pardoner's Tale'
10. Popular Crime:
A Geste of Robyn Hode
ESSAY SUBMISSION (October 4)
11. Gamelyn
12. Chaucer's crime, 'The Canon Yeoman's Tale'
LAST THINGS
(For the detailed Lecture Schedule, see Files)
Recommended Texts:
Geoffrey Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales, Fifteen Tales and the General Prologue, ed. V. A. Kolve and Glending Olson (Norton Critical Editions)
Please note that there are a number of editions of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales that are different in kind from the Norton Chaucer, but equally valuable.
The two most useful:
The Riverside Chaucer, ed. L.D. Benson (OUP). Note this is a complete Chaucer.
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales, ed. Jill Mann (Penguin Classics)
Middle English Verse Romances, ed. D.B. Sands (University of Exeter Press, Exeter Medieval Texts and Studies)
Other texts will be supplied by the Department of English as needed.
Assessment Summary:
Coursework (50%)
-- Tutorial exercises (10%)
-- Class Test (10%)
August 23
-- Essay (30%, 2500 Words)
October 4
Final Examination (50%, Three Hours)
-- Translation and Comment
-- 2 essays
Restrictions on Duplication of Material
In the examination, you must not repeat discussion of any text selected for discussion in coursework essays.
Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:
"The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details."
Course summary:
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