Cursussen
Medieval English Literature in the Classroom *EDU*
Course Name |
Medieval English Literature in the Classroom: Beowulf, King Arthur and Geoffrey Chaucer |
University |
Leiden |
EC |
5/6 EC |
Course date |
semester 2 (2020 - 2021) |
Registration open until |
26/10/2020 - 08/01/2021 |
Location |
Leiden - This course will be taught fully online. |
Instructor(s) |
Thijs Porck (Leiden), Kees Dekker (RuG) and Marcelle Cole (UU) |
E-mail Contact |
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Course objectives |
Completing the course successfully, the student will know how to translate current research in the field of medieval English literature and medievalism, specifically with regard to the particular themes studied in the module, into a classroom setting. The student will know about the conditions of that research (methodologies, current debates, the individuals active in the field), and will be familiar with a number of sources that need to be consulted to conduct that research. The student will have the experience needed to identify a research problem, to formulate this in speech and on paper, and to conduct individual explorations. The student will be able to formulate ideas about integrating medieval literature in modern teaching practice. in an ideal position to prepare and write an MA paper that contributes to current debates in the field. |
Course content |
Medieval English Literature in the Classroom is suitable for students with an interest in Medieval English literature and medieval studies. This course also helps students develop their own research ideas, their abilities to move beyond literary sources, to write convincingly about their findings, and to develop ideas about integrating medieval literature in modern teaching practice. Each year a different text or set of texts and themes from the Anglo-Saxon period or High Middle Ages will be selected. This course can be fruitfully combined with the MasterLanguage course ‘Language variation and change from Old to Middle English.’ Despite its huge influence on modern politics, arts and culture, medieval English literature is rarely taught at secondary schools today. This course explores ways in which current research into medieval English literature can be translated to a classroom context. This year, the course will focus on the Old English epic poem Beowulf (a world classic), the popular Middle English legends about King Arthur as well as as well as the works of Geoffrey Chaucer. This course enables ambitious MA students to explore in depth an area in the field of medieval English Studies that may play a vital role in their future careers, as teachers, writers, translators, or researchers. Engaging for 7 weeks with medievalists from universities across the country to discuss the research these academics produce, study the theoretical considerations that lie at its basis, and explore the instruments of this research (including the library and internet resources), students will develop insight into the field of English Studies at large, as well as the state of the art in their future professions. This course also helps students develop their own research ideas, their abilities to move beyond literary sources, and to write convincingly about their findings. A basic knowledge of medieval English language and literature is highly recommended. Students who have not followed one or more preparatory modules must contact the course coordinator some weeks before the course starts for an alternative, online means to grasp the basics of Old English or Middle English. Prospective course outline: Introduction Project 1 ‘Beowulf’ Session 2 (Porck; 12 February). Beowulf Session 3 (Porck; 26 February). Teaching project: Beowulf Project 2 ‘Geoffrey Chaucer’ Session 4 (Cole; 5 March). Geoffrey Chaucer Session 5 (Cole; 19 March). Teaching project: Geoffrey Chaucer Project 3 ‘Arthurian Literature’ Session 6 (Dekker; 26 March). King Arthur Session 7 (Dekker; 9 April). Teaching project: King Arthur Final session 8 (t.b.a.).
NB: Students are highly recommended to also take the MasterLanguage course ‘Language Variation and Change from Old to Middle English’ (semester I, block 2) for 5EC. |
Assessment |
Course Assessment Study load 5 ECTS (= 140 hours) Seminars: 7 x 3 = 21 hrs Preparation and work per week 7 x 8 = 56 hrs 3 Research assignments 3 x 21 = 63 hrs 6 ECTS (= 168 hours) Seminars: 7 x 3 = 21 hrs Preparation and work per week 7 x 8 = 56 hrs 3 Research assignments 3 x 30,33 = 91 hrs UvA: Students who need 6 ECTS will make slightly longer assignments. This must be determined with your lecturer in week 1. |
Background Literature and Course Materials |
Course materials will be provided by the lecturers. |
Further information |
Course schedule Date 5/2, 12/2, 26/2, 5/3, 19/3, 26/3, 9/4/21 en Final session (t.b.a.). Session 1 (Porck; 5 February) Project 1 ‘Beowulf’ Project 2 ‘Geoffrey Chaucer’ Project 3 ‘Arthurian Literature’ Final session 8 (t.b.a.).
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