Prospectus

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Philology 4: Higlights of Medieval English Literature

Course
2015-2016

Admission requirements

Completion of Philology 1 and 2 or comparable courses.

Description

This course builds on Philology 1 and Philology 2. It course offers a survey of Medieval English literature (7th-15th centuries) that provides a fascinating insight into the imaginary world of the English Middle Ages. Texts that are read and discussed include Beowulf, The Battle of Maldon, The Dream of the Rood, The Land of Cokaygne, Dame Sirith and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The earliest texts are read in translation, the later texts are read with the help of a glossary; all in combination with background literature. As such, students will acquire a deeper insight into a broad range of aspects of Medieval English culture which have not yet, or only cursorily, been studied.

Course objectives

  • Abilities in interpreting representative texts from the various genres of medieval literature in their cultural-historical context

  • familiarity of the various genres and methods of interpretation

  • Skills in oral discussion

  • Practice with secondary sources

Successful completion of the course will enable the student to follow a third-year course on Old or Middle English.

Mode of instruction

Seminar

Course Load

5 EC = 140 hours

  • time devoted to seminars: 26 hours.

  • time for studying the compulsory literature: 80 hours.

  • time to prepare for the exam and/or write a paper (including reading / research): 34 hours.

Assessment method

Written examination with essay questions.
If the final grade is 5 or less students may resit the exam.
Attendance is compulsory. Unauthorized absence will mean that you cannot take part in the relevant exam(s).

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used to provide students with an overview of current affairs, as well as specific information about (components of) the course.

Reading list

Elaine Treharne, ed., Old and Middle English c. 890 – c. 1400: An Anthology, Third Edition, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.

  • David F. Johnson & Elaine Treharne, eds., Readings in Medieval Texts. Interpreting Old and Middle English Literature, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005

Registration

Enrollement trough uSis is mandatory. If you have any questions, please contact the departmental office, tel. 071 5272144 or osz-oa-eyckhof@humleidenuniv.nl.

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Registration Studeren à la carte via: www.hum.leidenuniv.nl/onderwijs/alacarte
Registration Contractonderwijs via: http://www.hum.leidenuniv.nl/onderwijs/contractonderwijs/

Contact

English Language and Culture student administration, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 102C. Tel. 071 5272144; .osz-oa-eyckhof@humleidenuniv.nl..
Coordinator of studies: Ms T.D. Obbens, MA, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 103C.

Remarks

Students are expected to be prepared right from week 1. The work for week 1 is to be found in Blackboard.