English 240 - Spring, 2011

Medieval Literature

Class Information

Instructor: Chaganti, Seeta
CRN: 53203
Time: R 3:10-6:00
Location: 248 Voorhies
Breadth: Earlier British
Focus: Method

Description

The Canterbury Tales have held a central position in English medieval studies for many years. Because of this fact, a study of The Canterbury Tales is also in many ways a study of the history of medieval studies as a discipline. This class will introduce students to Chaucer’s text and use it as a vehicle for exploring late-medieval intellectual, religious, and social cultures. But it will at the same time consider the development of scholarly medieval studies in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries by examining the development of Chaucer criticism during this period. We will think about the ways that historical periods are constructed by those living in them and those looking back at them.

NOTE ON THE COURSE TEXT: I have ordered both the Riverside Chaucer (hardcover; contains all of Chaucer's works) and The Canterbury Tales Complete (paperback; contains the Riverside edition of the Canterbury Tales only). Students who plan to specialize in medieval and/or early modern studies should purchase the Riverside Chaucer. Students in other fields may consider the shorter text if they wish, though I encourage everyone to invest in the Riverside as we may consult other works by Chaucer, as well as the notes on textual variants in the Riverside, during class discussion.

Grading

Requirements:
-Weekly two-page written responses to the reading assigned for that week. These will be turned in to me two hours before class, and I will choose a couple to be read out loud during each class meeting. These will take the place of more traditional presentations.
-A research project, which will include an annotated bibliography and a research paper of 15-20 pages.

Texts

The Riverside Chaucer, Larry Benson, ed.
The Canterbury Tales Complete, Larry Benson, ed.