The two-hour, 150-200 pt. closed-book midterm exam will take place in class on the date indicated on the course Calendar of Assignments (Tuesday, 5/27/08 in Spring quarter, 2008).  It will cover chronology (dates), authors/composers/directors (and their nationalities), genres/media, formal characteristics and similar descriptive information, as well as key motifs, objects, episodes and characters in required primary readings and films assigned through the date of the exam (whether or not fully discussed in class), as well as your PAPER PROSPECTUS.  Expect to use the full two hours.  Factual questions will be drawn from REQUIRED secondary or background readings (whether online, on e-reserve, or in assigned sections of a textbook -- any additional recommended readings listed on the course calendar or on e-reserve will NOT be covered on the midterm exam). You may also be asked to provide a "preview" of your final research paper -- your topic, the readings you will explore, the thesis you will argue -- and to list some secondary sources (by author and title) you have found helpful thus far.  NOTE:  these critics should have been listed on the WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY SECTION OF YOUR PAPER PROSPECTUS, which I will use to grade this section of your exam!

Objective Sections:  multiple choice, matching, true-false and fill-in-the-blank questions on factual background as presented in lecture, background readings (online, e.g. translatio , the Medieval Tristan Tradition, Medieval Attitudes toward Vernacular Literature, or any introductory webpages for individual readings / films; in required supplementary readings / critical essays; and any assigned background readings in course textbooks).  Know titles, authors/composers, genres, date of composition and formal description of ALL PRIMARY WORKS; also be aware of formal elements in the poems (e.g. which use rhyme vs. blank verse).  Know titles, composers AND directors for all films screened, along with the date of composition for the opera and the date of each film version screen; also know the authors, titles and focus / basic argument (but not dates) of all REQUIRED secondary readings (critical essays).  Know nationality of authors, directors and composers and the language in which their works were originally created.  Carefully review the background reading on the Medieval Tristan TraNO CHOICE; you must ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.

IDs (of Characters, Items, Key Lines and/or Plot Elements/Episodes/Motifs):  several sections of the exam will list characters, objects, events/plot elements and or key lines (but not extended passages) from one or more of the primary readings/films.  Depending on the section, you may be asked to identify ALL listed items OR to choose a certain number of them; to list ALL readings / films in which they appear; and/or to explain their role and significance (and/or key differences between their treatment) in different works. There will be choice in SOME (but not ALL) of these sections.  Please note that  other than key lines (which should be easily identifiable if you have completed all readings/screenings and taken good notes in class discussions) lines, there will be NO PASSAGE IDS on this exam.

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/films), 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, anticipate using in your final paper, and HAVE LISTED ON YOUR PAPER PROSPECTUS WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY (which I will use to grade this section of the exam).

A significant number of points will be for the Essay (likely to be worth 30%-40% of exam).  There will be a choice of topics.  You may NOT write on a work/author/film which you have presented in class OR which  will be a focus of your final paper. Likewise, you may NOT write on the same figure/motif/episode that you presented on in class or which will be a focus of your final paper.  Automatic and substantial penalty if you do!  Make an outline before you begin to write, and try to reserve some time to PROOFREAD!  Prompts will ask you to discuss connections, similarities and (significant) differences between at least two readings/films/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 an author/work/topic 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; note genre or medium, author/composer/director, his or her nationality, and dates of works.  List key plot elements/motifs covered in the various works, and note any unusual character names which you might otherwise forget.  Be sure to include some notes concerning what episodes and/or significant objects/motifs and/or key lines are included in each case, and also to note how particular motifs are handled when they offer variants relative to the medieval tradition (e.g. the battle with the Morholt, the love potion, Isolde's Ordeal and the Ambiguous Oath, the King in the Tree, the depiction of Iseult of Brittany, the death of the lovers, etc.). Also review the required background readings and make sure you are clear on the overall premise of each. Carefully review all primary readings (and catch up on any you may have missed!), including review of class discussion notes in each case.  As you review, consider differences between treatment of characters / episodes / 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 which you listed on your Working Bibliography.

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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