ENG 359: Intermediate Anglo-Saxon (Beowulf!)
Spring 2019
Learning Objectives
This course will continue developing students' proficiency in reading and translating Anglo-Saxon through the detailed study of the language's greatest literary monument, the epic poem Beowulf. Through regular in-class translation, students will move toward mastery of the grammar and lexicon of Anglo-Saxon poetry. Students will also exploring the narrative dynamics and other literary qualities of Beowulf, as well as familiarizing themselves with the history of critical responses to the poem. Required Texts
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Useful Links
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Schedule of Readings and Assignments
M Jan 28: Overview, review of grammar.
W Jan 30: Translation. And in the Mitchell/Robinson edition, read pp. 3-17 of the Introduction.
F Feb 1: Translation. In the Norton (Heaney) edition, read "Old English Language and Poetics," pp. xv-xxii.
M Feb 4: Read Seamus Heaney’s English translation of Beowulf. No translation due. Be sure also to read Heaney’s brief translator’s introduction (pp. xxiii-xxxviii).
W Feb 6: Read Seamus Heaney’s English translation of Beowulf. No translation due.
F Feb 8: Translation.
M Feb 11: Translation.
W Feb 13: Quiz on Beowulf vocabulary 1. Translation.
F Feb 15: In the Norton edition, read Leslie Webster, “Archaeology and Beowulf” (pp. 212-237). Translation.
M Feb 18: Translation.
T Feb 19: Mini essay #1 due (2-3 pp.).
W Feb 20: In the Norton edition, read Alcuin (pp. 91-92) and Thomas D. Hill’s “The Christian Language and Theme of Beowulf”(pp. 197-212). Also read excerpt from Bede (handout). No translation due.
M Jan 28: Overview, review of grammar.
W Jan 30: Translation. And in the Mitchell/Robinson edition, read pp. 3-17 of the Introduction.
F Feb 1: Translation. In the Norton (Heaney) edition, read "Old English Language and Poetics," pp. xv-xxii.
M Feb 4: Read Seamus Heaney’s English translation of Beowulf. No translation due. Be sure also to read Heaney’s brief translator’s introduction (pp. xxiii-xxxviii).
W Feb 6: Read Seamus Heaney’s English translation of Beowulf. No translation due.
F Feb 8: Translation.
M Feb 11: Translation.
W Feb 13: Quiz on Beowulf vocabulary 1. Translation.
F Feb 15: In the Norton edition, read Leslie Webster, “Archaeology and Beowulf” (pp. 212-237). Translation.
M Feb 18: Translation.
T Feb 19: Mini essay #1 due (2-3 pp.).
W Feb 20: In the Norton edition, read Alcuin (pp. 91-92) and Thomas D. Hill’s “The Christian Language and Theme of Beowulf”(pp. 197-212). Also read excerpt from Bede (handout). No translation due.
F Feb 22: Translation.
M Feb 25: Translation. W Feb 27: Translation. F Mar 1: Quiz on Beowulf vocabulary 2. Translation. M Mar 4: Translation. W Mar 6: Translation. F Mar 8: Translation. M Mar 11: Translation. W Mar 13: Translation. F Mar 15: Translation. M Mar 18: In the Norton edition, read J. R. R. Tolkien’s essay “Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics,” pp. 103-130. No translation due. W Mar 20: Translation. Th Mar 21: Mini-essay #2 due. F Mar 22: Translation. SPRING BREAK M Apr 1: Translation. W Apr 3: Translation. |
F Apr 5: In the Norton edition, read John Leyerle’s “The Interlace Structure of Beowulf” (pp. 130-152) and Jane Chance’s “The Structural Unity of Beowulf” (pp. 152-167). No translation due.
M Apr 8: Translation.
W Apr 10: Translation.
F Apr 12: Translation.
M Apr 15: In the Norton edition, read Roberta Frank’s “The Beowulf Poet’s Sense of History” (pp. 167-181) and Fred C. Robinson’s “The Tomb of Beowulf”(pp. 181-197). No translation due.
W Apr 17: Translation.
Th Apr 18: Mini-essay #3 due.
F Apr 19: Translation.
M Apr 22: Translation. And on JSTOR, read “The Forbidden Beowulf: Haunted by Incest” by James Earl.
W Apr 24: Translation.
F Apr 26: Translation.
M Apr 29: Translation.
W May 1: Translation.
F May 3: Translation. Final paper due.
M Apr 8: Translation.
W Apr 10: Translation.
F Apr 12: Translation.
M Apr 15: In the Norton edition, read Roberta Frank’s “The Beowulf Poet’s Sense of History” (pp. 167-181) and Fred C. Robinson’s “The Tomb of Beowulf”(pp. 181-197). No translation due.
W Apr 17: Translation.
Th Apr 18: Mini-essay #3 due.
F Apr 19: Translation.
M Apr 22: Translation. And on JSTOR, read “The Forbidden Beowulf: Haunted by Incest” by James Earl.
W Apr 24: Translation.
F Apr 26: Translation.
M Apr 29: Translation.
W May 1: Translation.
F May 3: Translation. Final paper due.
Attendance
Your attendance, both physical and mental, is a crucial component of this course. More than two unexcused absences will affect your grade; more than four unexcused absences will jeopardize your chances of passing the course.
Grades
Your final grade for the course will consist of the following:
Mini-essay #1: 10%
Mini-essay #2: 10%
Mini-essay #3: 10%
Final research paper (8-10) pages: 30%
Quiz average: 10%
Class participation*: 30%
* Note: successful completion of the course requires your ongoing and regular efforts at translating the poem from Anglo-Saxon and your sharing your efforts with the class on a daily basis.
Your attendance, both physical and mental, is a crucial component of this course. More than two unexcused absences will affect your grade; more than four unexcused absences will jeopardize your chances of passing the course.
Grades
Your final grade for the course will consist of the following:
Mini-essay #1: 10%
Mini-essay #2: 10%
Mini-essay #3: 10%
Final research paper (8-10) pages: 30%
Quiz average: 10%
Class participation*: 30%
* Note: successful completion of the course requires your ongoing and regular efforts at translating the poem from Anglo-Saxon and your sharing your efforts with the class on a daily basis.