Admission requirements
A relevant BA degree, with a good working knowledge of Old, as well as an elementary knowledge of Anglo-Saxon England.
Description
“Why should we bother working through Beowulf when other books are an easier read?” The epic Beowulf which is the oldest and longest poem of its kind in the context of the Germanic tradition, is not always an easy read, yet reading has proved rewarding to many generations of students. The poem not only gives us an exciting story concerning Beowulf’s fights – one against two cannibalistic monsters, Grendel and his mother, the other against a fire-spitting dragon – but it also tells us extensively of the ways of life and expectations as they prevailed in the aristocratic circles of Anglo-Saxon England shortly after the conversion to Christianity. In this course, we shall read and translate a number of episodes from Beowulf and place these episodes within their cultural-historical context. Attention will also be given to some smaller heroic poems so as to gain a better perspective on Beowulf itself.
Course objectives
Students will become familiar with the most complex poem of Old English literature by translating it in part and reading it in its entirety. They will be familiar with the mainstream of critical response. They will be able to report orally on certain approaches and to write an independent, critical essay on Beowulf.
Successful completion of the course will enable students to write a master’s thesis on one of the topic treated in the course.
Timetable
Tuesday 11.00-13.00
The timetable will be available by July 1st on the website.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
Active course participation, including a presentation (25%), and a written essay (75%).
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used to provide students with additional information/reading material
Reading list
Peter S. Baker, ed., Beowulf: Basic Readings (New York: Garlandl, 1995).
Bruce Mitchell and Fred C. Robinson, eds., Beowulf: an Edition with Relevant Shorter Texts (Oxford: Blackwell, 1998).
Fred C. Robinson, Beowulf and the Appositive Style (Knoxville: Univ. of Tennessee Press, 1985)
Further background material will be distributed through Blackboard
Registration
Students should register through uSis. Exchange students cannot register through uSis, but must see the director of studies and register with her. If you have any questions, please contact the departmental office, tel. 071 5272144 or mail: english@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply
Contact information
Departmental Office English Language and Culture, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 102C. Tel. 071 5272144; or mail english@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Studentcounsellor Bachelor: Ms T.D. Obbens, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 103B.
Coordinator of Studies Master: Ms T.D. Obbens, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 103B.