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English
  Studiegidsen 2012-2013
Radboud UniversiteitStudiegidsenFaculteit der Letteren > Bachelor Engelse taal en cultuur

Introduction to Middle English Literature 


(Vakcode)
Course ID
LET-ETCB2401
(Studiepunten)
Credits
5
(Periode)
Scheduled
tweede semester
(Niveau)
Level
2
Prerequisites (Ingangsvoorwaarden)
none
Contents (Inhoud van de cursus)
In addition to political and societal changes, the Conquest of England by the Normans in 1066 had a number of unforeseen effects in the literature and language of English, among which the introduction of new literary genres up to then unknown to the English, and a brand new stage of the language, viz. Middle English. Through weekly readings, you will acquaint yourself with a broad range of writings from the beginning to the end of the Middle English period. These texts are written in different mediums (prose/verse), modes (narrative/chronicle/history), genres (fabliau/allegory/lai/exemplum/romance), by different types of authors (anonymous/known/attributed). But whatever the texts may be, they have been written for two purposes only: sentence and solace, as Chaucer called it. Sentence is the significance of a text, specifically the deeper meaning that is instilled in all writings (at least, in those of the Middle Ages). Solace means pleasure and refers to the enjoyment a narrative may give to the listener or reader. Sentence and solace go hand in hand in every piece of writing, though honesty obliges me to say that some have more sentence than solace, while others have such a large dose of solace that it obscures the fact that there is meaning at all.

 

Objectives (Leerdoelen)
Participants acquire a literary and historical overview of the Middle English period. They are introduced to a representative selection of authors and writings in the original Middle English. They are able to recognise and analyse a range of genres, topics and ways of creating meaning prevalent in late medieval writing. They are able to place Middle English writings in their cultural and historical settings.

 

Teaching hours/week (Contacturen per week)
2
Examination (Toetsvorm)
A written exam after each period (2 x 40%) and an essay at the end of the course (20%).

 

Literature (Literatuur)
Treharne, E., ed. and trans. Old and Middle English c. 890–c. 1450: An Anthology. 3rd ed. Oxford: Blackwell, 2010; Burrow, J. A. Medieval Writers and Their Work: Middle English Literature 1100–1500. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2008.
Information (Inlichtingen)
dr. L. S. Chardonnens, tel. 024-3612903, e-mail: