ENGL
203: Core I: Medieval
| Winter,
2006 |
 |
Dr.
Debora B. Schwartz |
| Class
meetings: TR 9-11, Rm. 10-124 |
http://www.calpoly.edu/~dschwart |
| Office:
47-35G, tel. 756-2636 |
Main
English Office: 756-2597 |
| Office
Hours: M 5:10-6:30, T/W 3:30-4:30, R 2:30-4:00, and by appt. |
e-mail:
dschwart@calpoly.edu |
 Prerequisites:
Completion
of GE area A and ENGL 251; open to ENGLISH MAJORS ONLY. |
Course
Description and Objectives: ENGL 203 introduces English majors
to the vernacular-language literature of medieval Britain as well as to
influential Continental works--the foundation upon which modern English
literature stands. In addition to presenting a number of important medieval
authors and works, the course aims to familiarize you with medieval attitudes
toward authorship and textuality, with medieval modes of textual production,
and with specific textual practices relevant to the interpretation of medieval
literature.
 By
the end of the quarter, you will be familiar with the most significant
vernacular-language authors working in England between the 8th and 15th
centuries and with key continental writers who illuminate the development
of an English literary tradition. You will be able to identify and distinguish
between significant medieval literary genres. You will have gained an understanding
of how medieval literature differs from modern literature (and from modern
notions of what literature is): e.g. the differences between manuscript
and print cultures; the tension between Latin and the vernacular languages;
the emphasis on literature as an on-going process rather than an end product,
and thus the inappropriateness of modern notions of "originality" or "intellectual
property" in the medieval context.
Additionally, ENGL 203 introduces you to electronic and print research
tools that will help you in the major. You will know how to identify,
locate and access secondary sources at Cal Poly, at other institutions,
and on the Web, and know how to document them correctly. You will be aware
of some of the pitfalls and pleasures of doing research on the Web, and
at Cal Poly. The skills which you learn will be applicable not only
in upper-division English courses, but in any class with a research component,
and in situations unrelated to your studies.
Finally, by the end of the quarter, you will have bonded with the classmates
with whom you will be studying over the next two years!
Preliminary Remarks: Much of what is presented in ENGL
203 will be new to most of you, and many of the readings reflect assumptions
and ideas that appear strange to a 21st-century audience. For these reasons,
several remarks are in order.
 1)
ENGL 203 is a READING-INTENSIVE COURSE. The material covered is unfamiliar,
complex and challenging, the pace brisk. One week or another there will
probably be a topic/author which you find difficult or simply do not enjoy.
If and when this occurs, remember that we will soon move on to something
else! Because ENGL 203 is a survey, you are not expected to master the
material presented in the depth you would in an advanced course with a
narrower focus. So while you will need to
keep up with the
readings and should read carefully (using study guides),
don't torture yourself if the details of a given text prove difficult to
grasp. We are looking for the broad picture, not the close-up; the idea
is to provide you with a sense of the way in which English literature--and
English perceptions of what literature
is--evolved during the course
of the Middle Ages. Readings will be considered as contextual
evidence reflecting the "world view" of the author and period when they
were written.
2) Because literary production in the Middle
Ages was largely controlled by the (Catholic) Church, many of the readings
deal with Christian themes. We will approach these readings as cultural
artifacts rather than as articles of faith, attempting to understand
the society which produced them and the world view which they represent.
While students familiar with portions of the Old and New Testaments may
find this background useful, no prior knowledge of Judeo-Christian tradition
is assumed or required. If something puzzles you, try the following (in
this order!): a) check the footnotes and/or introduction to see if an explanation
is provided; b) consult a dictionary or encyclopedia; and c) ask about
it in class or office hours. (Chances are, someone else is just as puzzled
as you are!)
3) Due to the time constraints under which
we will be working, classes will focus on interpretation rather than description.
Familiarity with the assigned readings (both background information and
primary texts) will be assumed. Readings will NOT be summarized for you
in class (which ideally should involve discussion as well as lecture).
For these reasons, the success of the course depends largely on you. Please
make a personal commitment to come to class regularly, punctually, and
prepared. Without these preconditions, ENGL 203 will be of little or no
use to you -- and no fun for any of us! SO: be prepared for an intense
quarter. But also remember: ENGL 203 SHOULD be -- and usually is -- a lot
of fun!
Communicating:
You are expected to have an
email account and to check it regularly.
Important announcements will be sent over the class email
aliases: engl-0203-01-061@calpoly.edu.
The class email alias is automatically generated using the email address
of each enrolled student found in the Cal Poly Directory server. If your
Cal Poly email account is NOT your preferred email address, you must
-
Log into http://my.calpoly.edu/
and click on "Grades and Personal Information" (the "Personal Information
Channel") to change your Email Delivery Address. Once you have done
so, any email sent to your <username@calpoly.edu> , including
all postings to the class alias, will be forwarded to the address you have
designated.
Remember: you are responsible for any information sent over the class
email alias (e.g. changes in assignments; other class-related announcements),
so be sure to check your email regularly. You may also use the alias
to send a query or comment to the whole class (including your instructor).
Please do not use the alias for matters unrelated to class.
Attendance
Policy: Due to the twice-weekly seminar format, any absence
causes you to miss a substantial chunk of material. Regular and punctual
attendance is required. Please note that EVERY absence will
affect the participation component of your
final
course grade.
 Each
student starts out with a 4.0 for attendance. This component of your
final grade drops by .3 for the first UNEXCUSED absence; the penalty
increases by .1 for each subsequent unexcused absence (from A [4.0] to
A- [3.7] to B+ [3.3], to B- [2.8], etc.). Additionally, it drops
.1 for the first EXCUSED absence (4.0 to 3.9) and .2 for the second
excused absence (3.9 to 3.7). Excused absences in excess of
two (a full week, 10% of the class) count the same as unexcused
absences.
Please note that only absences due to illness, family crisis, or
circumstances which are truly beyond your control count as excused.
Deadlines for other courses, work conflicts and job interviews are NOT
valid reasons for missing class. FOR AN ABSENCE TO BE EXCUSED, YOU
MUST SUBMIT A SIGNED, WRITTEN NOTE with course number and section/time,
date missed and an explanation of the circumstances leading to your absence.
(While I do appreciate your courtesy in letting me know why you have missed
class, an Email or phone message will not suffice for an absence
to be excused.)
Field
Trip:  There
may
be a required field trip to view the collections
of the GETTY MUSEUM,
including the medieval manuscripts,
sculpture
and
painting.
Final details TBA. Target date is Friday of week 7 or 8; PLEASE SAVE
THESE DATES. Typically, the Cal Poly bus leaves campus at approximately
10 AM, returning to campus at approximately 10:30 PM, with a dinner stop
on the return trip. A letter explaining the curricular nature of
this excursion will be provided to ask Cal Poly faculty and employers to
excuse you from conflicting obligations. Thanks to the Student Fee Initiative,
there is typically NO cost (other than meals) to students participating
in the Getty trip. You may also arrange your own transportation (one-way
or round trip).
Additionally, students enrolled in ENGL 203 are invited to participate
in a local field trip to see the extensive Chaucer collection of retired
Templeton-area English professor (and Chaucer fan) Robert Simola.
Date and time TBA. Finally, students are encouraged to undertake
(on their own) a "pilgrimage" to the Huntington
Library in Pasadena to see the magnificent Ellesmere
Chaucer manuscript (and other medieval
manuscripts). Extra Credit may
be arranged for a brief written assignment based on either of these excursions.
| Required
Texts: |
The Norton Anthology of English Literature,
7th ed. (2000), vol. 1a, The Middle Ages, ed. Alfred David
[=NA] |
 |
Chaucer, The Portable Chaucer, ed./tr.
Theodore Morrison (Viking-Penguin) [=PC] OR The Canterbury Tales,
tr. Nevill Coghill (Penguin Classics) [=CT] |
| Chrétien de Troyes, Arthurian Romances, tr. William
W. Kibler and Carleton W. Carroll (Penguin Classics) |
| The Selected Writings of Christine de Pizan, tr. Renate
Blumenfeld-Kosinski and Kevin Brownlee (Norton Critical Edition) |
| The Portable Dante, ed./tr. Mark Musa (Viking-Penguin) |
| Joseph Gibaldi and Walter S. Achtert, MLA Handbook for Writers
of Research Papers, 6th ed. (2003) |
| M. H. Abrams, A Glossary of Literary Terms, 7th ed. (1999) |
|
(NOTE: you must use the specific text ordered for this class. Do NOT substitute
another edition/translation!!) |
| Please
note that some other required readings are on "electronic reserve"
through the Kennedy Library. To access electronic reserves, go to
course reserves for ENGL
203 on the Kennedy Library webpage,
or click on individual links from the calendar
of assignments. On the ENGL 203 reserve list, electronic readings
may be listed individually by author and/or title or found in a folder
called "ENGL 203 - Supplemental Readings" (electronic copy available).
To view a specific reading, click on the Supplemental Readings link and
then on the reading by name. You will be prompted to type in your
last name and library barcode (the 14-digit number beginning 20150 on the
front of your PolyCard). PRINT OUT SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS AND BRING
THEM WITH YOU TO CLASS! |
| Also
Recommended: |
Chaucer Studio Recordings: the General Prologue to the
Canterbury
Tales; the Wife of Bath's Tale |
|
Penguin History of Literature, vol. 1: The Middle Ages,
ed. W. F. Bolton. Penguin, 1993. (Out of print but available from bookfinder.com.) |
|
The Lais of Marie de France, tr. Robert Hanning and Joan
Ferrante (Baker Books) |
|
Béroul, The Romance of Tristan, tr. Alan S. Fedrick
(Penguin Classics) |
Preparation:
Readings are to be completed BEFORE coming to class on the date assigned.
Introductions and background handouts should be read first; they are the
context within which primary readings will be most meaningful. The introduction
to the Middle Ages in the Norton Anthology (pp. 1-22) provides an
overview of historical developments. The NA also has good headnotes to
individual authors and works as well as a useful appendix on "Poetic Forms
and Literary Terminology" (pp. A-46-62 in paperback vol. 1a, The Middle
Ages; pp. 2944-60 in hardback vol. I, Middle Ages to 18th Century).
Specific introductory pages from other textbooks are assigned on the syllabus.
Other background information is provided on handouts and study guides.
Please note that this background material is an integral part of
the course and will be covered on READING QUIZZES and EXAMS. When
reading primary texts, refer conscientiously to the critical apparatus
(footnotes, glossary, etc.).
 Study
Guides are provided to guide your reading; USE THEM!! To access study
guides, click on the underlined links found on the class calendar
or on the list of online study guides below.
Study guides typically contain some background information for which you
are responsible; regard them as an appendix to your text books. They
also may list some general questions for which you will find answers as
you read the assigned background readings, as well as background information
and study questions to guide you through the primary readings. Familiarize
yourself with the study questions BEFORE you begin to read, and refer to
the guide frequently AS you read, jotting down notes as you go along. Upon
completing your readings, you are strongly advised to reread the questions
and write up a summary of your ideas. This summary will NOT be collected
or graded, but will be helpful in preparing for class -- and for
quizzes and exams! Reading quizzes presuppose that you have prepared
for class using the study guides!
Be prepared to DISCUSS readings in class. Note
that length and difficulty of assignments vary, so look ahead in the reading
list when you are planning your time. You are responsible for ALL the assigned
readings, whether fully discussed in class or not, and for material covered
in handouts, online readings, lectures and discussions.
Graded
Work:
-- WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS, e.g. Introductory
Paragraph; Expanded
Paper; Getty
Assignment.
-- RESEARCH EXERCISES as listed in third
column of course
calendar.
-- READING QUIZZES: short factual questions
based upon background information from day's reading assignment and/or
previous lecture; questions demonstrating familiarity with readings; short
passages from readings to identify. Note 1: Class will BEGIN with
an unannounced reading quiz on average once a week; come to class on time,
as no extra time will be given to late-comers. Note 2: it IS
possible to have a reading quiz two class days in a row! Note 3:
if it becomes apparent that students are not keeping up with the reading
assignments, we will institute daily scantron quizzes.
-- EXAMS: a closed-book Midterm
Exam in class at the end of week
5); and a three-hour, closed-book
Final
Exam on Thursday, March 16, from 10:10 AM - 1 PM. Exams
will include both essay and objective sections. Final will be cumulative,
but with emphasis on work since the Midterm.
Grading:
| Study
Guides: |
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Other: |
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Images:
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Electronic Reserve Readings:
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Contents of this and linked pages Copyright Debora B. Schwartz, 1999-2006
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