SE2586: Middle English Romance: Monsters and Magic
School | English Literature |
Department Code | ENCAP |
Module Code | SE2586 |
External Subject Code | 100319 |
Number of Credits | 20 |
Level | L6 |
Language of Delivery | English |
Module Leader | Dr Megan Leitch |
Semester | Autumn Semester |
Academic Year | 2014/5 |
Outline Description of Module
This module will explore the generic and thematic possibilities of Middle English romances – narratives of knightly adventure, combat, quests, and love. The module will address some key themes in medieval literature through a selection of verse and prose romances, including Thomas Malory’s Morte Darthur, the Alliterative Morte Arthure, Emaré, Sir Isumbras, and The Squire of Low Degree. The focus will embrace matters of identity – chivalry, gender, monstrosity – as well as marvels and the supernatural, friendship, love, ethics, and heroism. The texts will be read closelyin relation to their literary, social and historical contexts.
This is a course suitable both for students who have never studied medieval literature and also for those who already have some familiarity with Middle English. The texts will be read in the original Middle English.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
On completion of the module students will be expected to demonstrate a good knowledge of late Middle English, and an ability to read the set texts closely and in terms of their contemporary contexts. Students will further be expected to discuss the texts in relation to a number of key ideas such as identity, gender, the supernatural, love, and transgression. Students will be sensitive to medieval narrative practices and the horizons of the romance genre in particular, and able to demonstrate engagement with a range of critical methodologies.
How the module will be delivered
There will be one lecture per week, which will provide information on context, critical perspectives, and textual interpretations; there will also be a weekly seminar, which will include detailed textual analysis and language work, as well as student-led discussion. The emphasis in the seminars will be on close reading of the Middle English texts; help will be given with reading the texts in the original.
Skills that will be practised and developed
Whilst studying this module, students will practise and develop a number of skills, including the ability to read Middle English confidently, the cultivation of scholarly and contextualist research, the use of a range of critical methodologies, and the ability to consider a wide range of texts when producing a critical argument. Employability skills include the ability to synthesise information, operating in group-based discussion involving negotiating ideas and producing clear, informed arguments in a professional manner.
How the module will be assessed
The module is assessed by one 3200-word essay to be submitted at the end of the course. Sample essay questions are provided in the module guide.
Type of assessment |
% |
Title |
Duration (exam) / Word length (essay) |
Approx. date of assessment |
Essay |
100 |
|
3200 |
January |
The module is assessed according to the Marking Criteria set out in the English Literature Course Guide.There are otherwise no academic or competence standards which limit the availability of adjustments or alternative assessments for students with disabilities.
Assessment Breakdown
Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
---|---|---|---|
Written Assessment | 100 | Essay | N/A |
Syllabus content
This is an indicative content list and may change – full details will be provided in the first lecture.
Emaré
Alliterative Morte Arthure
Thomas Malory’s Le Morte Darthur(selections including The Roman War, The Tale of Gareth, Launcelot and Guenevere, and The Death of Arthur)
Sir Isumbras
The Squire of Low Degree
Essential Reading and Resource List
This is an indicative content list and may change – full details will be provided in the first lecture.
Emaré
Alliterative Morte Arthure
Thomas Malory’s Le Morte Darthur(selections including The Roman War, The Tale of Gareth, Launcelot and Guenevere, and The Death of Arthur)
Sir Isumbras
The Squire of Low Degree
Background Reading and Resource List
Please see Essential Reading List.