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 chronology (dates), authors and titles, genres, languages, and similar descriptive information, as well as key motifs, objects, episodes and characters in the primary readings to date (Ovid, Andreas Capellanus, the Tristan poems --  know which author wrote which parts! -- Virgil's Aeneid and the Romance of Eneas, Marie de France, Chrétien de Troyes, Guillaume de Lorris, Jean de Meun and Christine de Pizan), as well as the REQUIRED secondary or background readings, whether online, in assigned introductions, or on e-reserve.  (Please note that only Peter L. Allen's chapter on Ovid and Toril Moi's essay on Andreas are REQUIRED secondary readings; there are some additional recommended readings listed on the course calendar, but these will NOT be covered on the midterm exam). You will also be asked to provide a "preview" of your final research paper: subject, readings, the thesis you will argue, and to some critics (authors and titles) whose work you have found helpful thus far.

Factual questions will cover background information which you may find summarized on study guides linked to the class calendar, in the introductions to your primary readings, in required secondary readings, or in your class notes.  Be sure to review online readings on "courtly love," translatio, and the Tristan tradition.  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 and/or key historical events. 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 study guides linked to the course calendar, or on the translatio online reading 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 "Cupid" (which I would be unlikely to put on this section of the exam!), you would need to say who/what Cupid is AND (briefly) state what played by Cupid in ALL readings in which he appears. If the item plays a significantly different role in more than one reading, you must distinguish between the role(s) played in each case (e.g. Lavinia in the Aeneid vs. the Romance of Eneas).  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; similarly, if you are identifying a specific character or episode from the Tristan readings or one of the two Romances of the Rose, you should know which author/text it occurs in).  There will be choice in this section, but you will need to demonstrate some familiarity with the 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) you have found helpful and anticipate using in your final paper.

A significant number of 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 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 the focus of your class presentation or 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 on the study guides linked to the course calendar or on the translatio online reading), genre, language; list key character names, episodes and significant objects/motifs. Make separate notecards for each SPECIFIC reading (e.g. the different prologue/epilogues; the six lais; the two romances by Chrétien de Troyes; the two parts of the Romance of the Rose by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun -- on some parts of the exam, each will count as a separate work). Review required background readings and make sure you are clear on the overall premise of each.   Carefully review all readings (and catch up on any you may have missed!), including review of 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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