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ENGL
439: Love in Medieval Literature
 Course
Description and Objectives:
In this seminar,
we will study the theme of romantic
love as it developed in medieval literature, with particular attention
to key classical and vernacular works that influenced the development of
English literary tradition. Because literary works are the products
of specific historical and cultural contexts, we will consider how our
readings shed light on the values and goals of the artists which produced
them and the audiences for which they were written. We will begin by considering
several Latin works essential to an understanding of medieval love literature
in the vernacular: poems by the Roman poet Ovid (43 B.C. - 17
A.D.), and Andreas Capellanus's twelfth-century mock treatise, De
arte honeste amandi (commonly mistranslated as "the art of courtly
love"). After discussing the misleading modern notion of "courtly
love" (including the critical controversy surrounding Andreas Capellanus's
satirical work), we will turn to some of the most influential vernacular
texts of the 12th and 13th centuries (the Tristan tradition, Marie
de France, Chrétien de Troyes, the Romance
of the Rose). We will conclude with the greatest English-language
poet of the middle ages, Geoffrey Chaucer (ca. 1343-1400).
Our familiarity with the literary tradition in which Chaucer was steeped
will provide the context for our (re)reading of his two literary masterworks:
Troilus and Cressida and selections from the Canterbury
Tales.
Several other course objectives are worth noting.
By the end of the quarter, you should feel confident of your ability
to use various research
tools to identify, locate and access useful secondary sources on a
research topic (and know how to document these sources correctly). Familiarity
with the medieval tradition of love literature should enhance your enjoyment
of more recent literary works on the theme of love. And finally,
I hope that you all willl know how to spell "MEDIEVAL" correctly!
NOTE: you expected to use the SPECIFIC TEXTS ordered for this
class. DO NOT SUBSTITUTE another edition / translation! |
Required
Texts:
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Ovid, The Love Poems, tr. A.D. Melville (Oxford World's Classics)
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Andreas Capellanus, The Art of Courtly Love, tr. John Jay Parry
(Columbia UP)
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Béroul, The Romance of Tristan, tr. Alan S. Fedrick (Penguin
Classics)
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The Lais of Marie de France, tr. Robert Hanning and Joan Ferrante
(Baker Books)
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Chrétien de Troyes, Arthurian Romances, tr. William W. Kibler
and Carleton W. Carroll (Penguin Classics)
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Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun, The Romance of the Rose, tr.
Frances Horgan (Oxford World Classics)
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Chaucer, The Portable Chaucer, tr. Theodore Morrison (Viking-Penguin)
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Other required readings are on Electronic
Reserve (see below)
Recommended Text: The Selected Writings of Christine de
Pizan, ed. Renate Blumenfeld-Kosinski (Norton Critical Edition) |
Communicating:
 You
are expected to have an email account and to check it regularly.
Important announcements will be sent over the class email
alias:
engl-0439-02-2078@calpoly.edu.
The class email alias is automatically generated using the email address
of each enrolled student found in the Cal Poly Directory server. If your
Cal Poly email account is NOT your preferred email address, you must
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Log into http://my.calpoly.edu/ and
click on "Grades and Personal Information" (the "Personal Information Channel")
to change your Email Delivery Address. Once you have done so, any
email sent to your <username@calpoly.edu> , including all postings to
the class alias, will be forwarded to the address you have designated.
Remember: you are responsible for any information sent over the class
email alias (e.g. changes in assignments; other class-related announcements),
so be sure to check your email regularly. You may also use the alias
to send a query or comment to the whole class (including your instructor).
Please do not use the alias for matters unrelated to class.
You are also expected to facilitate collaboration
with your classmates by submitting regular research
progress reports and records of works ordered via LINK+
or ILL to
the class research archive, located in a Blackboard "Discussion Board."
To access Blackboard, log in at MyCalpoly,
go to "Blackboard Access" and select "ENGL 439: Love in Medieval Literature"
from the classes you are taking; then click on "Discussion Board" and link
to the "forum" for the research topic you are interested in. There
will be a "forum" for each author/text on which there are oral presentations.
Keep a copy of your research reports in case of technological glitches.
Be sure to check after each posting to verify that your submissions have
made it into the archive. If you have trouble posting to the archive,
contact the Help Desk (756-7000) and let me know at our next class meeting.
Your complete set of Research Progress Reports
will factor into the participation component
of your final course grade.
Attendance
Policy: Due to the twice-weekly seminar
format, any absence causes you to miss a substantial chunk of material.
Regular and punctual attendance is required. Please note that
EVERY absence will affect the participation
component of your
final course grade.
 Each
student starts out with a 4.0 for attendance. This component of your
final grade drops by .3 for the first UNEXCUSED absence; the penalty
increases by .1 for each subsequent unexcused absence (from A [4.0] to
A- [3.7] to B+ [3.3], to B- [2.8], etc.). Additionally, it drops
.1 for the first EXCUSED absence (4.0 to 3.9) and .2 for the second
excused absence (3.9 to 3.7). Excused absences in excess of
two (a full week, 10% of the class) count the same as unexcused
absences.
Please note that only absences resulting from illness, a family emergency,
or circumstances truly beyond your control count as excused.
Absences taken for personal convenience are a matter of choice rather than
necessity; they will be recorded as unexcused. Please note that
deadlines for other courses, work conflicts and job interviews are NOT
valid reasons for missing class. Exception: a graduating senior
will be granted ONE excused absence for an out-of-town job interview.
FOR ANY ABSENCE TO BE EXCUSED, YOU MUST SUBMIT A SIGNED, WRITTEN NOTE
with course number, date missed and an explanation of the circumstances
leading to your absence. (Although I do appreciate your courtesy
in letting me know why you have missed a class, an Email or a phone message
will not suffice; a written statement with your signature
is required for an absence to be excused.)
Preparation:
Readings are to be completed BEFORE coming to class on the date assigned.
You are expected as a matter of course to read assigned secondary readings
(critical articles, introductions in the texts, and any supplemental readings
placed on reserve
at Kennedy Library or distributed in hardcopy format or via a web link).
Be prepared to DISCUSS the readings in class. Note that the length and
difficulty of assignments vary, so look ahead on the calendar
of assignments when you are planning your time.
 Please
note that some required readings have been placed on "electronic
reserve" as .PDF files in the Library Resources section of Blackboard.
To access Blackboard, log in at MyCalpoly,
go to "Blackboard Access" and select "ENGL 439" from the classes you are
taking. Click on the link in the Electronic Reserves section (under "Library
Resources") to download, read and/or print the file using Acrobat Reader.
Other required readings (listed as "Online readings") are .html
files which you can access by clicking on the link on the Calendar of Assignments.
Finally, some required readings are in subscription-only
databases in Kennedy Library collections. To access these
readings, click on the link on the Calendar of Assignments; you will be
prompted to type in your last name and library barcode (the 14-digit number
beginning 20150 on the front of your PolyCard). You can then download,
read and/or print the file using Acrobat Reader. Please note that ALL electronically
accessed required readings should be PRINTED OUT AND BROUGHT WITH YOU TO
CLASS.
Be aware that the research
component of this course requires additional preparation which CANNOT
be left until the week before your oral presentation or prospectus is due.
To get started, come to an Office Hour (or make
an appointment to see me) by the end of week 3 at the latest.
We will use this initial meeting to brainstorm, to discuss possible topics
and approaches, to help you get the hang of some of the online
research tools, and/or simply to get acquainted. After this initial
meeting, feel free to come back whenever you feel you would benefit from
additional consultation. This means: if you feel confused or overwhelmed,
don't despair; CONTACT ME and
let me help you troubleshoot!
Graded
Work:
RESEARCH EXERCISES:
found in the right-hand column on the calendar
of assignments, the series of research exercises is designed to guide
you as you begin your research and to ensure that you are familiar with
(and have in fact used) the most important bibliographic research
tools in preparing your oral
presentation and writing your research
paper. The archived research reports and
annotated
bibliographies which will result from this research will become an
important resource for your classmates, and are therefore an integral part
of your participation in the seminar. Please
endeavor to complete the various assignments by the dates on which they
appear on the syllabus. Research Exercises will be graded for accuracy
and completeness; please follow directions!
ORAL
PRESENTATION: Starting in week four, each reading will be
presented by one or more students, working together to avoid repetition
(sign-ups the first week of class). This ORAL
PRESENTATION (no more than 20 min. per student!) will be the
starting point for class discussion, led jointly by presenters and professor.
The presentation should illuminate some aspect of the reading that is relevant
to the work of the seminar, suggesting one or more critical, thematic,
stylistic or structural approach(es) to the work (or to one or more of
its episodes, motifs or characters). If you choose, you may summarize a
secondary source which you have found particularly interesting or useful,
provided that you keep the focus on the way in which this secondary reading
helps us better to understand the primary work (i.e. the medieval
literary text). Students are encouraged (but not required) to develop
this presentation topic more fully in the final research
paper. Please note: you are NOT expected to become a world expert on
your assigned topic; you are merely responsible for helping to introduce
it to your classmates! Click on link for ORAL
PRESENTATION SCHEDULE.
 Each
presenter will prepare and distribute an ANNOTATED
BIBLIOGRAPHY of at least five secondary sources dealing
with the primary reading (including any essay or article presented in class).
Entries should be alphabetized as on a List of Works Cited and should begin
withfull bibliographic references (consult MLA Handbook for
correct format!) followed by a brief summary of the primary thrust of the
article, essay or book (what it argues about your medieval text/author
--
not praise for or a critique of the article, essay or book).
Be sure to include at least one of each of the following types
of resources: journal article, essay in edited collection, and
single-author book; also, you must include at least one item obtained using
each of the following
modes
of access: an item found in hard copy at Cal Poly (state "Cal Poly"
and give call number in parentheses at end of annotation; don't neglect
to consult the items on Reserve
for this class!); one item each ordered through LINK+
and ILL (state
which in parentheses at end of annotation); and a source accessed electronically
(typically a journal article or an ebook from an electronic
subscription database in the Kennedy Library collections; give name
of database in parentheses at end of annotation). The Annotated Bibliography
will be graded for complete and correct bibliographic references (formatted
according to MLA
guidelines for a List of Works Cited entry); for the distribution of
items over the required types of resources and modes of access; and for
the expression and quality of the summary.
Your
Oral Presentation and
Annotated
Bibliography count toward your in-class work
grade.
Please note: you will need to start researching
your topic immediately in order to obtain materials through LINK+
and Interlibrary
Loan. You should meet with Prof. Schwartz (and other presenters
on same text, if applicable) no later than the third week of classfor
bibliographic suggestions and to discuss possible approaches / topics
for your presentation.
 PAPER
PROSPECTUS: Normally ungraded; to be turned in to me in
person or left in my mailbox in the main English office no later than
the end of week 7 (in class on W 10/31, or by prior arrangement only,
to my departmental mailbox no later than noon on F 11/2). Your
Prospectus must include a working title which clearly identifies the work(s)
discussed as well as topic of your paper; a fully articulated thesis (not
just a statement of general topic); a tentative outline of paper; and a
working bibliography of at least eight sources (alphabetized and in correct
MLA bibliographic format). NOTE: If an
acceptable
Prospectus is submitted on time, it will be used solely for
feedback to help you write a stronger final research paper. But if
no
prospectus is submitted or the prospectus does not fulfill therequirements
of the assignment, it will be graded andwill count for
10%
of your final course grade. In that case ONLY, the Research Paper component
of your final grade will decrease to 30%. (Note: failure to submit
a prospectus will result in 10% of your final course grade = F.)
MIDTERM
EXAM: in class on Monday, November 5 (beginning
of week
8). The closed-book exam will consist of factual questions (from lectures,
introductions in texts, electronically accessed readings, and handouts,
including required secondary criticism); chronology of works studied; identification
of key characters, events, objects and motifs; identification of significant
passages from readings; and a choice of essay questions. If you wish
to take the
OPTIONAL
WRITTEN FINAL EXAM, you must notify me of your intention by the
second class meeting of week 9 and take the exam on your own time before
the end of week 10. In this case, 30% of your final course
grade will be based on your cumulative score
on the combined Midterm and Final Exams.
 RESEARCH
PAPER: 15-20 pp. long, citing at least 6 secondary sources
(Senior Project Students: 20-25 pp. and 8 secondary sources); OR, with
my approval, a well-designed and researched WEBSITE on a relevant aspect
of ONE (or at most TWO) of the work(s) on the syllabus, including appropriate
links, images, bibliography, and online resources. The website must
incorporate the equivalent of a SHORTER ANALYTIC PAPER (8-10 pp.); you
will also submit a separate, written explanation of the methodology used
and problems encountered in putting together the website. Final paper
may be connected to
oral presentation. Worth
40%
of final course grade (except as noted
above).
Unless an extension has been arranged
in advance, Research Papers
(along with the original, marked up prospectus) are due at the time of
our Final Oral Exercise, or no later than Wednesday, 12/5. Students
turning in their final papers after this time may receive a grade of Incomplete
in the class.
FINAL ORAL EXERCISE: there
will be a required Final Oral Exercise: a brief presentation to your
classmates of the premise and conclusions of your final research paper.
While the presentation itself is not intended to be graded, it is the culmination
of the collaborative work of the seminar and should be taken seriously.
For this reason, failure to participate in the Final Oral Exercise will
result in a grade of "F" being averaged with your
Midterm
Exam score. The Final Oral Exercise is typically held
at my home in conjunction with an (optional) class dinner. If possible,
it will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time on the Sunday before
or on Tuesday or Wednesday of exam week (December 2, 4 or 5). If no
common evening time can be found, the final oral exercise will take
place (sans dinner) on campus at our regularly scheduled exam time: Wednesday,
December 5, from 1:10-4:00 PM.
Course
Grade Calculation:
 |
10% |
Participation (including
attendance
and archived research
reports). |
| 20% |
In-class work: equal
weight to Oral
Presentation and annotated
bibliography. (Should I determine that reading quizzes are necessary
to ensure class members are keeping up with assignments, they will be factored
into this portion of the final grade.) |
| 30% |
Exam(s).
Midterm
and (optional) written final
exam. NOTE: Failure to participate
in the
final oral exercise will result in an F
being averaged with this grade. |
| 40% |
Research
Paper. NOTE: If an acceptable
Research
Paper Prospectus is submitted on time, it will be considered
an ungraded exercise designed solely to provide feedback to help you write
a stronger final paper. But if the prospectus submitted does not
fulfill the requirements of the assignment, or if it is submitted late,
it will be graded and will count for 10% of your final course grade.
In that case, the research paper itself will be worth only 30%. NOTE:
Failure to submit a prospectus will result in 10% of your final course
grade = F!! |
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Research Tools:
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Study guides and Online Readings:
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Other Web Resources:
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