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.


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