Course Description
The literatures of medieval Europe, with emphasis on epic and chivalric romance, with special emphasis on the relevance of these texts to the contemporary world.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional reading, writing, and research assignments.
Athena Title
Epic and Love in Middle Ages
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
- to introduce students to major works of medieval European literature, with an emphasis on national epics and chivalric romance and the relevance of the texts under discussion to the contemporary world; - to situate those works within the social, cultural, historical, political, and intellectual contexts that inform them; - to delineate the primary characteristics of medieval European civilization; - to enhance students' critical skills through the exegesis of individual literary works; - to improve students' communication skills through oral presentations and expository writing assignments. Students' performances will be assessed through presentations, tests, papers, and a final examination.
Topical Outline
The course is organized around readings of major works of medieval European literature, with the specific works studied varying with the individual instructor. Special emphasis will be placed on the relevance of these texts to the contemporary world. The topics examined are specific to the works under analysis, with recurrent themes including: allegory and textual exegesis; romance and the chivalric code; Latin and the development of national languages as vehicles for literary expression; the church and education; feudalism and social hierarchy; gender, literacy, and literature. The following is a sample syllabus of readings for a single semester: Beowulf The Song of Roland Marie de France. Lais Thomas of Britain. Tristan de Lorris and de Meung. The Romance of the Rose Chretien de Troyes. Lancelot Chaucer. The Canterbury Tales Dante. The Divine Comedy
Syllabus