ENGH 421: Topics in Medieval and Renaissance Literature

ENGH 421-001: The Litratures of Medieval England
(Spring 2016)

07:20 PM to 10:00 PM M

Section Information for Spring 2016

ENGH 421 - 001: The Litratures of Medieval England

Accounts of the Norman conquest written by the victors and (a rare occurrence) by the conquered; abductions, betrayals, and a woman made of flowers; ironic, quirky love stories; and the story of a hopeful kingdom that was doomed to fail...

There is more to the early literature of England than Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales and the Arthurian retellings in Malory's Works.  Medieval England supported strong literary cultures in three major language groups--English, Celic, and Anglo-Norman French, and the legends from these groups were the sources for Arthurian literature, contemporary fantasy, and writers such as William Butler Yeats and John Millington Synge.  Our study will include the Bayeux Tapestry, the Welsh Mabinogi, an Irish saga, the Anglo-Norman histories of the Conquest, the Lais of Marie de France, and a selection of Middle English lays and romances.

Much reading, several short reading analyses, two 4-5 page papers, a research-based longer essay, and a final examination.

The course meets the pre-1700 requirement and may be used in the Medieval/Renaissance concentration.

Image:  The Bayeux Tapestry: William of Normandy Arrives at Pevensey.

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Studies selected topics, genres, themes or authors in medieval or Renaissance literature and culture. Notes: May be taken for credit by English or history majors. Specific topic may vary. Primary emphasis is literary or historical, depending on discipline of instructor. May consider relevant material from philosophy, theology, and art. May be repeated when topic is different. Equivalent to FRLN 431.
Specialized Designation: Mason Impact., Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: Satisfaction of University requirements in 100-level English and in Mason Core literature.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

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