Middle English Literature
Spring 2024
Textbooks
Please purchase these editions, all available at the Reed College Bookstore. I have taken some care in ordering editions of the texts that balance quality and affordability. Copies will also be available at the library reserve desk.
Learning Outcomes
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Schedule of Readings and Assignments
M Jan 22: Introductions. The Middle English language: sounds and grammar. Middle English lyrics (PDF). W Jan 24: Middle English lyrics M Jan 29: Middle English lyrics W Jan 31: Orfeo (text available here, and introduction available here) M Feb 5: Havelok the Dane (PDF) W Feb 7: Troilus and Criseyde, Book 1 M Feb 12: Troilus and Criseyde, Book 2 Th Feb 15: Paper #1 due (4-5 pages) W Feb 14: Troilus and Criseyde, Book 3; Lee Patterson, "Troilus and Criseyde and the Subject of History" (PDF) M Feb 19: Troilus and Criseyde, Book 4; Louise Fradenburg, "Loss, Gender, and Chivalry in Troilus and Criseyde" (PDF) W Feb 21: Troilus and Criseyde, Book 5 M Feb 26: The Owl and the Nightingale (PDF) W Feb 28: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Fitt 1 M Mar 4: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Fitts 2 & 3 W Mar 6: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Fitt 4; and read "Feminine Knots and the Other Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" by Geraldine Heng (JSTOR). Th Mar 7: Middle English Lexicon due. SPRING BREAK (March 9-March 17) M Mar 18: Pearl W Mar 20: Pearl; and read "Seeing Spots: Language and Limits in the Middle English Pearl" by Hannah Byland M Mar 25: Julian of Norwich, The Showings; and read excerpt from "The Life of an Anchoress" by Grace Jantzen (Norton edition, pp. 143-150). T Mar 26: Paper #2 due (4-5 pages) W Mar 27: Julian of Norwich, The Showings M Apr 1: Julian of Norwich, The Showings; Abram Van Engen, "Shifting Perspectives: Sin and Salvation in Julian's 'A Revelation of Love'" (JSTOR) W Apr 3: Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, "Uther Pendragon and Merlin" (pp. 1-46) and "The Wedding of King Arthur" (pp. 76-98); and Terence McCarthy, “How To Read the Morte Darthur” (PDF) M Apr 8: Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, "The Book of Adventures" (pp. 99-122); "Sir Launcelot du Lake" (pp. 190-223); Geraldine Heng, "Enchanted Ground: The Feminine Subtext in Malory" (PDF) W Apr 10: Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, "The Tournament at Surluse" (pp. 515-531) and "The Begetting of Galahad" (pp. 620-657) and "The Christening of Sir Palomides" (pp. 658-664) M Apr 15: Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, "The Sankgreal" (pp, 665-789, or, if you're tight on time, at least pp. 665-722 and 770-789) W Apr 17: Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, "Sir Launcelot and Queen Guenivere" (pp. 790-869) M Apr 22: Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, "Sir Launcelot and Queen Guenivere" (pp. 790-869) W Apr 24: Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, "The Morte Darthur" (pp. 870-940). Middle English Lexicon due. F Apr 26: Paper #3 due (5-7 pages) |
Course Policies, Etc.
On Middle English
All texts will be read in Middle English, and special emphasis will be devoted during the first two or three weeks of conference toward developing students' understanding of this early stage of our language. Most importantly, we will read the texts out loud in class on a very regular basis. While we may not all perfect our Middle English accents throughout the semester, a cheerful willingness to tackle the difficulties of the language will foster a greater appreciation of medieval poetry and will help to ensure success in the course.
Artificial Intelligence Policy
The short version: The use of generative artificial intelligence such as (but not limited to) ChatGBT, Grammarly, Ginger, ProWriting Aid, etc., is NOT allowed in work for this course. Its use would constitute a violation of the Academic Misconduct Policy. The use of these or of any other generative A.I. will result in a failing grade.
The long version: The term "Artificial Intelligence" is a category error. A.I. is not "intelligent." At best, it is a tool, like a calculator, that merely appears "intelligent" to us. At worst, it is a prop, a shabby and shadowy substitute for human thought, human initiative, and human creativity. Unlike human beings, artificial intelligence does not experience pain or sorrow any more than a calculator or a chariot or an axe. Unlike human beings, artificial intelligence does not experience responsibility or the pang of conscience, nor does it suffer consequences. Unlike human beings, artificial intelligence has no orientation toward or desire to know or to represent the truth. The use of generative artificial intelligence in this course, or in almost any course, is a betrayal and an undermining of human thought, human creativity, and human dignity. As a parting thought, I would ask you to meditate on the words of Arthur Weasley in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: "Never trust something that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain." (I would add scare quotes around Weasley's "think," however, as A.I. cannot really think; again, it has only the appearance of thinking. For further thoughts along this line, please refer to Gertrude E. M. Anscombe's book Intention, Bernard Lonergan's Insight, and, more broadly, Aristotle's Metaphysics.)
All texts will be read in Middle English, and special emphasis will be devoted during the first two or three weeks of conference toward developing students' understanding of this early stage of our language. Most importantly, we will read the texts out loud in class on a very regular basis. While we may not all perfect our Middle English accents throughout the semester, a cheerful willingness to tackle the difficulties of the language will foster a greater appreciation of medieval poetry and will help to ensure success in the course.
Artificial Intelligence Policy
The short version: The use of generative artificial intelligence such as (but not limited to) ChatGBT, Grammarly, Ginger, ProWriting Aid, etc., is NOT allowed in work for this course. Its use would constitute a violation of the Academic Misconduct Policy. The use of these or of any other generative A.I. will result in a failing grade.
The long version: The term "Artificial Intelligence" is a category error. A.I. is not "intelligent." At best, it is a tool, like a calculator, that merely appears "intelligent" to us. At worst, it is a prop, a shabby and shadowy substitute for human thought, human initiative, and human creativity. Unlike human beings, artificial intelligence does not experience pain or sorrow any more than a calculator or a chariot or an axe. Unlike human beings, artificial intelligence does not experience responsibility or the pang of conscience, nor does it suffer consequences. Unlike human beings, artificial intelligence has no orientation toward or desire to know or to represent the truth. The use of generative artificial intelligence in this course, or in almost any course, is a betrayal and an undermining of human thought, human creativity, and human dignity. As a parting thought, I would ask you to meditate on the words of Arthur Weasley in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: "Never trust something that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain." (I would add scare quotes around Weasley's "think," however, as A.I. cannot really think; again, it has only the appearance of thinking. For further thoughts along this line, please refer to Gertrude E. M. Anscombe's book Intention, Bernard Lonergan's Insight, and, more broadly, Aristotle's Metaphysics.)
Papers
There will be three essays due in this class. (Dates are on "Schedule of Readings and Assignments," above; topics will be distributed ahead of time.) All essays should be should be printed submitted in paper format. Please not that I do not write comments on papers that are passed in late without a documented excuse. Furthermore, late papers are subject to the standard grade deduction of half a grade per day late.
Middle English Lexicon
At the beginning of the semester, students will be given a "starter" Middle English Lexicon in MS Word format containing 100+ words. For each class session, students should add at least five new words of their own choosing, drawn from the week's reading, to their lexicons. Lexicons will be passed in (electronically is fine) twice in the semester, once before spring break and once at the end of the semester.
Grading
For those of you who are interested, the final course grade will be calculated thus:
Paper 1 : 20% Middle English Lexicon: 10%
Paper 2: 20% Class Participation: 20%
Paper 3: 30%
There will be three essays due in this class. (Dates are on "Schedule of Readings and Assignments," above; topics will be distributed ahead of time.) All essays should be should be printed submitted in paper format. Please not that I do not write comments on papers that are passed in late without a documented excuse. Furthermore, late papers are subject to the standard grade deduction of half a grade per day late.
Middle English Lexicon
At the beginning of the semester, students will be given a "starter" Middle English Lexicon in MS Word format containing 100+ words. For each class session, students should add at least five new words of their own choosing, drawn from the week's reading, to their lexicons. Lexicons will be passed in (electronically is fine) twice in the semester, once before spring break and once at the end of the semester.
Grading
For those of you who are interested, the final course grade will be calculated thus:
Paper 1 : 20% Middle English Lexicon: 10%
Paper 2: 20% Class Participation: 20%
Paper 3: 30%
Attendance and COVID-19
In general, students may not miss more than two classes throughout the semester. More than two absences will negatively impact your grade. More than four absences will jeopardize your chances of passing the course.
Exceptions to the above policies will be made for students who contract COVID-19. The following recommendations should guide your decision about coming to class:
• Self-isolation is the recommended course of action for anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms, whether due to possible coronavirus or to other illnesses. Please stay at home if you feel sick, and contact the Health and Counseling Center (HCC) or your healthcare provider to discuss. This is especially important if you think you may have an infectious disease.
• You should not attend class if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 2 days, or if you have received notification or advice from the college or a health professional (including HCC staff) to quarantine or self-isolate. In such cases, you should communicate with the professor via email as soon as possible.
• The CDC suggests that people with the following symptoms may have COVID: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. As always, please consult a medical professional (members of the HCC or otherwise) if you have any questions about your health or health safety.
• If you suspect or know you have been exposed to a case of COVID-19, contact the HCC right away to discuss your next steps. For more information, visit the CDC’s webpage on isolation and quarantine.
If you need to miss a class, or series of classes, due to illness, self-isolation, and/or quarantine, you are responsible for emailing me to let me know as soon as possible. You are also responsible for coordinating with me to complete work that you might miss due to absences.
In general, students may not miss more than two classes throughout the semester. More than two absences will negatively impact your grade. More than four absences will jeopardize your chances of passing the course.
Exceptions to the above policies will be made for students who contract COVID-19. The following recommendations should guide your decision about coming to class:
• Self-isolation is the recommended course of action for anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms, whether due to possible coronavirus or to other illnesses. Please stay at home if you feel sick, and contact the Health and Counseling Center (HCC) or your healthcare provider to discuss. This is especially important if you think you may have an infectious disease.
• You should not attend class if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 2 days, or if you have received notification or advice from the college or a health professional (including HCC staff) to quarantine or self-isolate. In such cases, you should communicate with the professor via email as soon as possible.
• The CDC suggests that people with the following symptoms may have COVID: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. As always, please consult a medical professional (members of the HCC or otherwise) if you have any questions about your health or health safety.
• If you suspect or know you have been exposed to a case of COVID-19, contact the HCC right away to discuss your next steps. For more information, visit the CDC’s webpage on isolation and quarantine.
If you need to miss a class, or series of classes, due to illness, self-isolation, and/or quarantine, you are responsible for emailing me to let me know as soon as possible. You are also responsible for coordinating with me to complete work that you might miss due to absences.