ENGL 439: Gender in Medieval Literature Presentation Sign-Ups
Week 3    (October 10-12)
10/4 Marie de France, Lais, 1-125:  "Introduction"; Prologue (again); Guigemar; Equitan; Le Fresne; Bisclavret; Lanval; Les Deus Amanz ("The Two Lovers"); Yonec; Laustic; Chaitivel; Chevrefoil  NOTE:  discussion of these Lais will continue on Th 10/12!!  But DO read through them ALL for Tuesday's class meeting.
Possible Research Presentation(s):  (should focus on a specific lai.)
10/6 Marie de France, Lais, 126-223:  Presentations on Milun and  Eliduc; continued discussion of Lais assigned for T 10/10.

Research Presentation(s):  (should focus on a specific lai.)
 --  Josh Ostini:  Eliduc (conf. 10/2/06)
 --  Eric McClendon: Milun (conf. 10/3/06)

Week 4    (October 17-19)
 
Day 1 A Man's Perspective: Chrétien de Troyes. Two presentations; can be on same day or one on each day.  Panelists, please come see me together to discuss topics and schedule specific presentations.

Chrétien de Troyes, Erec and Enide
Research Presentation(s): Nick Bilich (conf. 10/4/06)

Day 2 Erec and Enide, cont. 
Research Presentation(s): Helen Knight (conf. 10/4/06)

Week 5    (October 24-26)
 
Day 1 Problematizing Gender: Nature vs. Nurture Two presentations which should be careful to focus on different aspects; can be on same day but ideally one on each day.  Panelists, please come see me together to discuss topics and schedule specific presentations.  If one presentation is on day 2, panelist mightl focus on points in common between Christine and Silence, using examples from both texts .

Heldris de Cornwall, The Romance of Silence

Research presentation(s): 

  • Morgan Leckie (conf. 10/11/06)
  • Hannah Sidaris-Green (conf. 10/11/06)
Day 2 MIDTERM

Week 6    (October 31 - November 2)
 
Day 1 Heldris de Cornwall, The Romance of Silence, cont./ Medieval Misogyny, IIIa: Vernacular Attacks on Women and Marriage (Fabliaux, satires)

New Readings:

  • Christine de Pizan, The Book of Fortune's Transformation (theme of male/female cross-dressing or metamorphosis)
  • Selected Fabliaux
  • The Fifteen Joys of Marriage
 Research Presentation(s) : 
Day 2 Medieval Misogyny, IIIb: Vernacular Attacks on Women and Marriage, continued. 

As needed, continued discussion of the Fabliaux and The Fifteen Joys of Marriage.

New Readings:  selections from  The Romance of the Rose I,II and III

Research Presentation(s) : 

RESEARCH PAPER PROSPECTUS, OUTLINE AND WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE TO MY MAILBOX by 4 PM on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29!!

Week 7    (November 7-9)
 
Day 1 As needed, continued discussion of The Romance of the Rose I,II and III

Defending Women I:  Christine de Pizan's Reactions to the Rose

New Readings:

  • The God of Love's Letter
  • the debate on the Romance of the Rose
  •  Research Presentation(s) : 
    Day 2 Romance of the Rose / Christine de Pizan continued
    New Reading: The Book of the City of Ladies

    Research Presentation: Matthew La Fontaine (conf. 10/5/06)

    Week 8    (November 14-16)
     
    Day 1 Romance of the Rose / Christine de Pizan continued

    Research Presentation(s): 

    Day 2 Body vs. Spirit: Mysticism and Feminine Spirituality

    Research Presentation(s): 

    Week 9a    (November 21-23)
     
    Day 1 Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales 1: The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale

    Suggested presentation topics:  the WB's responses to medieval misogyny (e.g. the authors/ideas in Women Defamed) in her Prologue; the connection between the WB's personal history (as recounted in her Prologue) and her tale; the "Authority of Experience" in the WB's Prologue and Tale.

    Research presentation(s): 

    Day 2 THANKSGIVING

    Week 9b   (November 28-30)
     
    Day 1 Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales 2: Courtly love? The Nun's Priest's Tale (Canterbury Tales 214-31) and The Franklin's Tale (Canterbury Tales 407-433).  Consultation of the study guides (follow links) is strongly advised. 

    Research Presentations (one on each tale):

  • The Nun's Priest's Tale: Ashley Torres (conf. 10/10/06)
  • The Franklin's Tale
  • Day 2 Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales 3: Anti-feminism?

    Research Presentations (one on each tale):

  • The Clerk's Tale: Jennifer Corob (conf. 10/4/06)
  • The Man of Law's Tale
  • Week 10 (December 5-7)
     
    Day 1 Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales 4: Just fabliaux?

    Research Presentations (one on each tale):

  • The Miller's Tale 
  • The Merchant's Tale