The two-hour, 150-200 pt. midterm exam will take place in class on the date indicated on the course Calendar of Assignments.  It will cover authors, titles, chronology (dates), genres, languages, form (verse or prose) and similar descriptive information for the primary readings to date.  (HINT: see information on linked study guides where available, as well as background information in the "forum" listings for each work in the class research archive.)  You will also be asked to identify a number of key motifs, objects, episodes and characters in these primary readings.  While there may be some general questions about the misogynistic stereotypes found in Latin literature and/or which Latin-language writers/texts are most typically cited as authoritative by writers working in the vernacular, week 2 readings from the misogynistic Latin tradition will not be covered on the exam.  Primary works covered on the midterm include: the lays of Marie de France's (identified by specific title); Chrétien de Troyes's Erec and Enide; Heldris de Cornwall's Romance of Silence; assigned readings representing misogynistic strains in vernacular literature (selections from The Book of the Wiles of Women, Gautier le Leu's "The Widow," the fabliaux, the Fifteen Joys of Marriage, and Jehan le Fèvre's Lamentations of Matheolus); assigned passages from the Romance of the Rose (be sure to distinguish between text by Guillaume de Lorris or by Jean de Meun); assigned selections by Christine de Pizan (by specific title); assigned selections from The Book of Margery Kempe; and assigned selections from Julian of Norwich.  There may also be some questions concerning any REQUIRED secondary/background readings (whether online, in assigned introductions, or on e-reserve).  Additional readings listed as "recommended" on the course calendar will NOT be covered on the exam. Finally, you may also be asked to provide a "preview" of your final research paper: your general topic, the primary readings you will focus upon, the thesis you will argue about them, and a list of some critical works (by author and title) which you have found helpful and anticipate using in your final paper.

Factual questions will cover background information which you may find summarized on study guides linked to the class calendar, on the class discussion board containing the research report archive, in the introductions to your primary readings, in required secondary readings, or in your class notes.  Don't forget to review the online readings on "courtly love," translatio, and the medieval prologues.  The format in this section will be some combination of multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, T/F or (very) short answer. 

The chronology section will require you to match a list of dates provided to titles/authors. Since some of these dates are difficult to pin down, they are not necessarily the same in every secondary source. In the event of a discrepancy, please use the dates found on the class discussion board or on my online readings and/or study guides linked to the course calendar (rather than a different date which you may find e.g. in the introduction to one of our texts).

Item Identifications will test your knowledge of characters, objects, events and motifs from the assigned readings; you will identify a certain number of items AND list ALL primary reading(s) in which item appears or occurs, with enough relevant detail to distinguish between the different readings.  For instance, to get full credit on an I.D. of "Guinevere," you would need to say who/what Guinevere is AND (briefly) state what role she plays in ALL the readings in which she appears. (If the item/person plays a significantly different role in two readings, you must distinguish between the roles played in each case.)  Finally, be sure that an I.D. is specific enough that it applies ONLY to the specific reading you have in mind (thus, "the hero of the Lai who loves a lady from whom he is separated" is too vague -- it could apply to the heroes of several different lais of Marie de France).  There will be choice in this section, but you will need to demonstrate some familiarity with the full range of texts covered in class.

The Paper Preview section will resemble your Paper Prospectus (which you should have completed and submitted prior to the midterm exam).  It will ask you not only for the topic of your final paper (what aspect you will focus on in what primary texts), but also ask what interpretation you will argue (i.e. a tentative thesis) based on your observations about that aspect of those works.  You will also be expected to list the AUTHORS and TITLES of some secondary works (criticism) which you have found helpful and anticipate using in your final paper (as evidenced by their inclusion on your Prospectus's Working Bibliography).

A significant number of exam points will be for the Essay.  You will be given a choice of topics requiring that you discuss connections, similarities and (significant) differences between at least two readings/authors.  Prompts will focus on issues which should be familiar to you if you have kept up with the assigned readings and attended class regularly -- no nasty surprises.  Exam prompts are designed not to trip you up but (I hope) to allow you to shine; there will be enough choices that you should be able to find a topic on which you can write a substantive essay.  Please note, however, that you may NOT write on the same author/work which is/was the focus of your class presentation OR which is a focus of your term paper. (There will be a substantial penalty if you do!) PLEASE BRING A LARGE-FORMAT EXAM BOOK FOR THE ESSAY SECTION.

TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAM: make a note card for each work (as well as for key historical events); note author, dates of works (or of author's presumed period of literary activity; most of these dates are found in the headings on the class discussion board, on the study guides linked to the course calendar or on the translatio online reading), genre, language, and for vernacular works, whether they are written in verse or prose ; list key character names, episodes and significant objects/motifs. Make separate notecards for each SPECIFIC reading (e.g. the different prologue/epilogues; the different lais; the different works by Christine de Pizan; the principle vernacular misogynistic and misogamous writings, including the fabliaux and the selections from the  Romance of the Rose -- on some parts of the exam, each will count as a separate work). Review the required background readings and make sure you are clear about the authors, titles and the overall premise of each.   Carefully review all readings (and catch up on any you may have missed!), including reviewing your class discussion notes in each case.  As you review, note characters / motifs which play significant roles in more than one work.  Review your Paper Prospectus and be sure you know the titles and authors of some useful works of criticism.

TIP 1) Get enough sleep the night before, and don't skip breakfast!

TIP 2) The best way to prepare is to study with friends!!

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