English 113A - Spring, 2024

Chaucer: Troilus & the "Minor" Poems

Class Information

Instructor: Chaganti, Seeta
Time: MWF 10:00-10:50am
Location: Olson 146
GE Areas: Writing Experience

Description

This courses uses the work of Geoffrey Chaucer to think about the relation of medieval and modern culture and life, particularly in regard to issues of racial and social justice. The Chaucerian texts we read will be paired with modern media artifacts in order to draw out the the political meanings of Chaucer's work and to consider how reading Middle English poetry can advance and refine our sense of where we are politically now and where we want to be. The works of Chaucer on which we will focus include his dream visions, short lyrics, and narrative poem Troilus and Criseyde, Chaucer's account of the Trojan War.

Please note that we will make extensive use of the electronic version of the required textbook, which allows shared annotation, hyperlinked word definitions, and other useful features.

Grading

The factors which will determine your final grade include translation exercises and quizzes, a midterm and final, section participation, and a series of paper writing projects that will fulfill the the requirements of the Writing Experience GE. Writing exercises in section will combine critical and creative practices.

Texts

The Norton Chaucer, David Lawton