EN401 Medieval Literature
Fall 2002
Dr. P. S. Fields
COURSE DESCRIPTION/OBJECTIVES
GRADING
ATTENDANCE/PARTI CIP AT 1 ON
POSITION PAPERS
PRESENTATIONS
HOMEWORK
QUIZZES
EESEARCH.£APER
LECTURES
READINGS
ACADElVflC_DISHONESIY
BASK. SKILLS
1 . COURSE .DESCRIPTION/OBJECTIVES This course concentrates on the
Medieval Literature and the culture, history, social fabric impacting the literature.
Study begins with Old English, Beowulf, selections of OE poetry and the
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Middle English study includes the Pearl poet, Sir Gawain
and the Green Knight, Piers Plowman, Chaucer, and Sir Thomas Malory. Major
emphasis is Chaucer's canon, Book of the Duchess, Parliament of Fowls, House of
Fame, Canterbury Tales. The Mystery Cycle completes the course with the Second
Shepherd 's Play.
2. OFFICE HOURS/CONFERENCES. 241 Library, 2:00 - 5:00 Thursday and
Friday.
3. MSES_SMEKE^IffiiiRADING
Midterm 20%
Twelve Position Papers 20% Research
Paper/Final Exam 35%
Attendance/Cluster Participation 20%
4. ATTMMHCJE/P^B3K!PMTQN/CMISIEBJS[QRK . You have two free cuts. Beyond
that your grade will be affected. If you miss more than seven class periods, you will fail
the course.
5- PRESENTATION S . See dates on the syllabus for volunteer presentations which
students aiming for an A or B will do. Marriage, warfare, weaponry, the cult of the
knight, cult of the lady, servants, comprise a few rich areas for presentations which will
involve limited research. The presentation will include a bibliography. We may adjourn
to the library computers should the presenter choose to do online material. 6.
HOMEWORK. Excellent and above average students do their work, attend class, and
participate vigorously. See attached information sheet on clusters and their
contribution to active learning.
7. QUIZZES. Position papers take the place of quizzes. Anyone without a position paper
will have a quiz to take out of class, in my office, the same day.
8. RESEARCH PAPER. This project is research paper on a very limited topic, either a
literary study or a cultural/historical study of some small aspect of the Medieval period.
Expansion of a position paper or expansion of a presentation would be sensible. Consider
the topics for presentations. You might want to examine law and courts, convent life, a
study of three poems thematically linked. Other possibilities abound, limited only by your
need to focus on the small.
9. LECTURES: Mini-lectures occur in relation to the topic and form the basis for your
work with cluster guidelines. See attached sheet for cluster discussion
10. READINGS. Outside readings and the packet materials comprise participation. Your
essays and cluster work will contain references to these readings, which have been chosen
for interest and excellence.
11. A_Cj\rjEMJC£ISHONESJ_Y- Procedural discussion of plagiarism appears in the
University advisement sheet for writing courses. The sheet is attached. If you are in
doubt about paraphrasing and research techniques, consult the professor.
12. JBASIC_SKILLS. This does not really apply here but needs to be stated for legal
clarity: Anyone with writing challenges must take the initiative to seek help at the
Learning Center Tutorial Services. These services also extend to comma checks, aid with
proofreading, which a wise student will employ to save time, actually.
13. LEARNING ASSISTANCE CENTER STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. Students
with disabilities have much campus aid. The Counseling service offers a program for the
student who must inform the professor about any extra classroom needs.
14. LAJTLPAJ^ERS^MDJiiME^MSIIjNMEiTrS, Papers and test essays are due
when they are due, with a grace period for advanced students, such as those in 401. On
October 24, you will bring notes for the short essays which you will proceed to write in
the Learning Center Computer Lab. To avoid overkill, the essays are due the end of the
period, but may be submitted as late as 5:00 PM that day (10/24/02). You will submit
them to either Ms. Ewing or Ms. Perron, ALSS secretaries. 15. TENTATIVE
SYLLABUS. Attached.
EN 401 Medieval Literature
Fall 2002
Dr. P. S. Fields
DRAFT ONE IN BLUE FOR CONSIDERATION AND EMENDATION AS NEEDED.
SUBMIT CHANGE PROPOSALS IN WRITING FOR FESTAL DRAFT. ***CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
TO SERVE ON A ROAD TRIP COMMITTEE.
NOTE: IN ORDER TO CONSERVE STUDENT BOOK EXPENDITURES, THE PROFESSOR IS
PROVIDING MUCH MATERIAL AND EMPLOYING THE WEB SOURCES OF ELECTRONIC
TEXTS. YOU WILL PEEL FROM THE WEB SOME OF THE COURSE MATERIAL AND
EXPLORING THE WEB FOR THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD IS PART OF YOUR PLEASURE AND
RESPONSIBILITY.
THE PACKET MATERIALS DERIVE FROM THE PROFESSOR'S PRIVATE LIBRARY AND
ARE INCLUDED FOR YOUR USE IN THE CLASS. THE PACKETS WITH ALL THE PHOTOCOPIES ARE
THE PROPERTY OF THE PROFESSOR FOR HER PRIVATE STUDY AND RESEARCH; THE PACKETS
WITH THE PHOTOCOPIES SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE PROFESSOR AT THE FINAL EXAM
Week One.
Sept. 5. Introduction to the Course Syllabus and Overview of the Course.
Discussion of packet contents.
Assignment for 9/10: 1. Read syllabus and course description and read the first two course
packet essays. 2. As the course features the literature and social, political, religious factors
impacting the literature, your course packet, which is work in progress as the semester
progresses, contains two essays by the famed medievalist David Daiches, on these factors.
Read these for 9/10. To locate them: One essay introduces Beowulf and is the first in the
"Old English" set, with the other the first in the "Middle English" set. 3. Read the three very
small poem fragments also in the packet: "The Wanderer," "Deor," and "Sea Farer's Wife."
"Dream of the Rood" is included in the Old English with the correlating Modern English run
beside it. Take your time with "Dream"—note the weirdness—the speaker/narrator and the
supposed audience. Position paper 1 on one of the poem fragments or on a point in one
of the essays. "A question often is more than enough."
Projecting Assignment for 9/12. Go ahead and begin your work with Beowulf. You have a
handout of the Old English and a handout of the translation. As this view of Old English is
presented chiefly as a segue into Middle English, we will read chiefly from the modern
English. Your packet contains a copy of the electronic Beowulf from the British Library
original. Your packet also contains a handy study sheet, as well as a work sheet that divides
the epic into parts for ease of reference and of reading.
Week Two.
Sept. 10 Introduction to Anglo-Saxon History and Old English Literature.
Handouts and visuals. Poetry fragments of three outstanding—handout: "The
Wanderer," "Deor," and "Sea Farer's Wife." "The Dream of the Rood."
Introduction to Beowulf with visuals.
Assignment for 9/12. Read Beowulf'in entirety, as you will then backtrack and re-read
segments as we study them in sequence. This process is especially prudent for middle-
Copyright Dr. Polly S. Fields
EN 401 Medieval Literature
Fall 2002
Dr. P. S. Fields
school and secondary teachers in training, given the popularity of the film, Lord of the Rings,
and your opportunity to employ that segue among your students-to-be. Opportunity for
student team pro-active participation through presentation of internet resources for A-S lit
and/or life. Position paper 2 due 9/17
Sept. 12 The Epic tradition and background. Beowulf Cluster Assignments
Assignment for 9/17. Read essay addition to your packet: Jonathan Evans, "Old English
Literature: An Introduction," volume 146, Dictionary of Literary Biography.
Week Three
Sept. 17 Beowulf Ouster Assignments. Position paper 2
Assignment for 9/19. Beowulf study closes. Make every attempt to employ both the Old
English and the modern English versions of the epic. Highlight the kennings and consider the
gender and class distinctions, in line with your reading of the assigned essays. In-class writing
and short answer tiny test. As you probably have completed your read of Beowulf, read the
photocopy of Piers Plowman.
Sept. 19 Beowulf. Cluster Assignments. The professor will also lecture on Piers
Plowman (contained in your packet) to aid your GRE preparation. An easy, short
read. Adult-Rated, so be warned.
Assignment for 9/24. Read packet handouts by Edmund Reiss, "The Middle English
Lyric" and William Provost, "Middle English Literature: An Introduction" both
contained in Dictionary of Literary Biography, Vol. 146.
**Week Four
Sept 24. Introduction to Middle English Literature in the Medieval Canon. Begin Sir
Gawain and the Green Knight (again—with a contemporary translation provided). This
material is quite R-rated, so be warned.
Assignment for 9/26. Sir Gawain. Your focus: the aspects of knighthood, the rules, the
protocols, the clothing, gender relations, "life in the castle," manners/morals of the upper
classes are areas of interest. You may have others, such as the tournaments, weapons, etc. As
well, carrying out the stanza study, with scansion is part of your responsibility, of course.
Position paper 3
Sept. 26. Sir Gawain cluster. Position paper 3. Position paper may relate to a
presentation opportunity. If so, sign the presentation roster in advance. See Oct. 1.
Assignment for 10/1. Short extract from Morte d'Arthur. Packet handout of the extract.
Week Five
Copyright Dr. Polly S. Fields
EN 401 Medieval Literature
Fall 2002
Dr. P. S. Fields
Oct. 1 Complete Sir Gawaln. The Arthurian Legend as Knighthood exemplar. Video:
Camelot.
Assignment for 10/3: Read "Introduction" pp. xv-xlvii in Riverside Chaucer. Read the
life carefully and look through the fragments and pronunciations.
The period will also offer presentations opportunity. OE Weaponry and
Tournaments. The Cult of the Lady. Or Middle English art visuals with references to
clothing, space, gardens, the representational human body, as symbols. Class can move to
the library computer lab (333) should the presenters want to go to the net for the presentation
material. In any case, a bibliography is part of presentation.
Oct. 3. Discussion "Introduction" and Chaucer, the writer. Video, A Prologue to
Chaucer, with quiz to follow.
Assignment for 10/8. Read "The General Prologue" to Canterbury Tales.
Week Six
Oct. 8 Discussion of the "General Prologue." Choose a character for your specialty.
Cluster Assignment.
Assignment for 10/10. Read the advisement under "Oct. 10" about the day's work.
Oct. 10 We will not meet as a class since you have an independent assignment: Video,
A Prologue to Chaucer, to be viewed independently from Library Reserve (overnight
permission)and a Position paper (4) written on some aspect of the video.
NOTE: On Thursday, the professor is presenting a scholarly paper at the Mid-West
IS^-Century Association. At the conference she also is an organizer of panel speakers on
religion and chairing the panel, in addition.
Assignment for 10/15. Continue with "General Prologue ". Prepare your "character"
presentation in maximum of three pages. Do some research of the "type" of the
character—social or historical or art to see if "your" character is presented as normal or the
reverse. You can't do it all in three pages but you can deal with two-three aspects. Do a
close study of the character as you do a close read of the "General Prologue" to aid in study
of the character's tale, etc. Consult the professor as needed—sooner rather than later and
often.
Week Seven.
Oct. 14. Canada Thanksgiving
Oct. 15. Discussion of "General Prologue". Position paper 4 on the video as
discussed above. Cluster assignment
Copyright Dr. Polly S. Fields
EN 401 Medieval Literature
Fall 2002
Dr. P. S. Fields
Assignment for 10/17. Work on your presentation of a character and conduct the outside
research. Consult the professor for bibliography needs.
Oct. 17. Discussion of "General Prologue." Cluster assignment.
Assignment for 10/22 "The Knight's Prologue and Tale"
Week Eight
Oct. 22 Discussion "The Knight's Prologue and Tale" Cluster Assignment. Discussion
leader is presenter on the representative Knight in Middle English. Reference to Lord
of the Rings video and/or the text of the J. R. R. Tolkien trilogy would be quite
appropriate. .
Assignment for 10/24 Design questions for four short essays each essay will comprise (two+
processed pages) and bring to class notes for these questions.
Oct. 24. Test on "General Prologue." Independent work on test with four
self-designed short essays on a small aspect of the following: Old English, Middle
English, and the "General Prologue." For the test, bring notes for the essays and work
in the Learning Center Computer Lab. Turn in the essays to the English department
secretary at 10:50, the end of the normal period.
Assignment for 10/29: "The Miller's Prologue and Tale." Riverside Chaucer. In-class
position paper. Bring % page notes and/or idea.
Week Nine
Oct. 29. Discussion of "The Miller's Prologue and Tale." Riverside Chaucer. In-class
position paper (5)
Assignment for 10/31. "The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale," Riverside Chaucer.
Position paper 6 for Oct. 31.
Oct. 31 Discussion of "The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale" Cluster Assignment
with presentation. Position paper 6. The professor will also lecture on "The Man of
Law."
Assignment for 11/5. "The Nun's Priest's Prologue and Tale." Riverside Chaucer.
Week Ten
Nov. 5. .Discussion of "The Nun's Priest's Prologue and Tale." Cluster
Assignment with presentation. The professor will also lecture on "The Monk's
Prologue" in addition, to aid your GRE preparation.
Copyright Dr. Polly S. Fields
EN 401 Medieval Literature
Fall 2002
Dr. P. S. Fields
Assignment for 11/7: "The Pardoner's Prologue and Tale" Position paper 7 Nov. 7
Nov. 7. Discussion of "The Pardoner's Prologue and Tale" Position Paper 7.
The professor will also lecture on "The Parson's Tale [on Pride]" in addition, to aid your GRE
preparation.
Assignment for 11/12: "The Parliament of Fowls." Riverside Chaucer Position paper 8
Week Eleven Nov. 12. "The Parliament of
Fowls." Riverside Chaucer Position paper 8
Assignment for 11/14 "The House of Fame." Riverside Chaucer. Position paper 9
Nov. 14. "The House of Fame." Riverside Chaucer. Cluster Assignment Position
paper 9
Assignment for 11/19: "The Book of the Duchess" Riverside Chaucer. Position paper 10
Week Twelve
Nov. 19: Discussion of "The Book of the Duchess." Cluster Assignment. Position paper
10
Assignment for 11/21: Reading Day for test on Tuesday, Nov. 26. We will not meet as a
class since you have independent work.
Nov. 21 Reading Day for research project and presentation Week Fourteen. We will
not meet as a class on this day since you have independent work.
Assignment for 11/26: "Boece" Riverside Chaucer.
Week Thirteen Nov.
26. Discussion of Boethius.
Assignment for 12/3. Second Shepherd's Play. Handout Packet. Also handouts on
Mystery Plays and the Chester, York, Wincester Cycles. Position paper 12
NOTE: This week has a lightened reading load. You are working on your research
papers and can use the extra time for these projects.
Nov. 28 USA Thanksgiving
Copyright Dr. Polly S. Fields
EN 401 Medieval Literature
Fall 2002
Dr. P. S. Fields
Week Fourteen
Dec. 3 Discussion Second Shepherd's Play. Cluster assignments and classroom
enactments. Position paper 12
Assignment for 12/5: Packet essays on Mystery and Miracle Plays.
Dec. 5 Video of Second Shepherd's Play and discussion of liturgical dramas.
Assignment for 12/10 and 12/12: Preparation of Research papers.
NOTE: This week also has a lightened reading load. You are working on your
research papers and can use the extra time for these projects.
Week Fifteen
Dec. 10. As part of your final exam, this week will feature presentation of Research
Papers with the bibliography, 30% of the Research Paper grade. Presentation slots
will circulate. Comment and Assessment Sheets for others' presentations will constitute
Position paper 13.
Dec. 12. Continuation of Research paper presentations and final discussion.
Week Sixteen
.
FEVAL EXAMS
Copyright Dr. Polly S. Fields