This course introduces
you to the major texts of the Arthurian tradition, to their readers,
and to their influence.
Please come
to class; university
guidelines for absence will be enforced. Check your handbook.
Will be available at
Amhest Book in Amherst (8 Main St).
1. Marie
de France, The Lais of Marie de France, trans. Hanning
and Ferrante.
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2.
Chrétien de Troyes, The Complete Romances of Chrétien
de Troyes, Trans. Staines. |
3. Malory, Le
Morte d'Arthur, trans. Lumiansky. |
4. Lacy
et al., eds. and trans.The Lancelot-Grail Reader. |
5. Beroul. The
Romance of Tristan, trans. Fedrick (Penguin) |
6. Andreas
Capellanus. The Art of Courtly Love, trans. Parry. |
7. The
Mabinogion, trans. Ganz (Penguin) |
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To find your readings, check the schedule.
I recommend that you purchase these translations. Others
may do in a pinch, but will compromise your close readings in class.
You will be graded on your knowledge of content, not only of the
literature but also of the history and culture surrounding the
literature.
STRUCTURE AND
OBJECTIVES: |
The general objectives
of this course are three: 1) to give you a firm grounding in
primary texts, 2) to introduce you to allegorical reading,
and 3) to encourage you in the written application
of critical tools.
We will be begin by
discussing allegory. (If you are unable to distinguish between
a historical source and an allegorical tale, then you have insufficient
means of assessing the veracity, details, and literary appeal
of the Arthurian corpus.) We will then turn to medieval historical
sources that employ the allegorical method, such as Bede, Gildas,
and Nennius. From there, we move to the Arthur corpus.
You are expected
to complete your readings prior to each class--the readings
average about 100 pages per class. If you're not going to do
the reading, then this class will be a waste of your time,
and your success seriously imperiled.
Due
dates are listed on the schedule. The
focus of this class is on the informed judgment of medieval
literature. For that reason, your grade is based largely on research
papers. But you are also expected to remember the facts
(the "informed" bit); so, there is a weighty exam.
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Two
(2) short papers, 500 words each. (15% + 20%
= 35%). |
One
longer paper (35%) 1000 to 1500 words (about
5 pages). |
One
final exam. 30% |
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- YOUR
PAPER MUST BE HANDED IN AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ON THE
DATE DUE. LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
- ALL MISSED
ASSIGNMENTS GET AN "F." If you foresee being absent, please
let me know well beforehand.
- PLAGIARISM
GETS AN "F." This may be for the paper or for the course, at
my discretion. The penalties for plagiarism are quite strict.
If you have any questions whatsoever about whether you are
citing sources correctly, contact me. The
study of literature is especially concerned with developing
your ability to make educated aesthetic and theoretical
judgments. This development is stunted if you circumvent your
education through plagiarism. For more information, consult
your handbook and the pages in this site devoted to plagiarism
(see "Resources").
- ALL PAPERS
MUST BE TYPED OR WORD-PROCESSED. Not doing so reduces your
grade by one letter-value (e.g., "C" down to "D").
For my requirements
with respect to A, AB, C, etc., see: 1) Grading,
and 2) Papers and Policies. |
Key:
September:
October:
November:
December:
Academic Calendar 2006
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