Early English Lit

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Early English Literature
FALL 2009
Dr. Jamison
Email: Carol.Jamison@armstrong.edu
Gamble 202C
344-3097
Office Hours: 4-4:30 Monday and Wednesday
1-2 Tuesday and by appointment

English 5440: Early English Literature: Beginnings to 1485

Texts:
Crossley-Holland, Ed., The Anglo-Saxon World: An Anthology. New York: Oxford University Press, 1984.

Garbaty, Thomas J. , Ed. Medieval English Literature. Lexington, Mass.: D. C Heath and Company, 1984.

* A note about the texts: These texts may be supplemented by class handouts and information on our web site. All Old English texts will be read in translation. Some Middle English works will be read in the original language. This course includes an introduction to Old and Middle English language.

Course Description
This course surveys English literature from its beginnings to 1485. We will discuss the literature as a reflection of medieval culture. With this aim in mind, texts will be situated in a cultural and historical context.

Assignments
We will have a midterm and final. Students will submit an 8 - 10 page research paper on some aspect of the literature read this semester. The paper is due near the end of the semester. We will also haves several written assignments and/or quizzes. Oral participation is required.

Web Component
This course is supplemented by a web site. Your use of this web site is mandatory, and you will be expected to visit the site frequently. I will provide a detailed class handout that will guide you through the site, but a brief overview follows:
The website can be accessed at http://www.llp.armstrong.edu/5800/index.html.
The News page will update you about new information, contain announcements, and guide you to specific pages. The Notes page will supplement but never replace class discussions. All notes are intended as study guides or reviews but may, occasionally, extend the scope of our class discussions. You will need to visit the Exercises page frequently. My own email address is easily accessed throughout the site. Make use of the resources on our site. One of the most useful pages is the Links page, which you can visit to access reputable medieval sites. You will also want to look at the References for my own bibliography of sources used in creating this site. Finally, you may want to check out pages for my other classes. You will find information there that you can cross-reference.

Attendance:
Attendance and prompt arrival to class are essential. Students with more than five absences may be penalized by receiving a grade deduction for each additional absence. Excessive tardies will count as absences.

Grading:
Midterm-- 25%
Final-- 25%
Research Paper-- 25%
Homework, Oral Recitation-- 25%

TENTATIVE DAILY SCHEDULE

UNIT I: BEOWULF AND MORE!
August 17 & 19
M: Introduction
W: Introduction to Anglo-Saxon England

August 24 & 26
M: Christian Poems and Writings
W: Elegies

August 31 & September 2
M: Elegies
W: "Beowulf"

September 7 & 9
M: HOLIDAY
W: "Beowulf"

September 14 & 16
M: Heroic Poems
W: Heroic Poems

September 21 & 23
M: Charms and Riddles
W: Charms and Riddles

UNIT 2: ABOUT MIDDLE ENGLISH
September 28 & 30
M: selected lyrics and pronunciation
W: Introduction to Medieval Romance

UNIT 3: ROMANCE IN ENGLAND
October 5 & 7
M: King Horn
W: King Horn

October 12 & 14
M: HOLIDAY
W: Midterm

UNIT 4: ALLEGORY AND RELIGION
October 19 & 21
M: "The Ancrene Riwle" and "Handlynge Sinne"
W: selections from "Piers Plowman"

October 26 & 28
M: selections from "Piers Plowman"
W: "The Lay of the Horn"/ "The Boy and The Mantle"

UNIT 5: PARODY AND FABLIAU
November 2 & 4
M: "Lanval"/ "Sir Launfal"
W: "Lanval"/ "Sir Launfal"

November 9 & 11
M: "Tournament of Tottenham"
W: "Dame Siriz"

UNIT 6: LOATHLY LADIES
November 16 & 18
M: "The Tale of Florent" and "The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnell"
W: "The Tale of Florent and The Wedding of Sir Gawain" and "Dame Ragnell"

UNIT 7: BRETON LAI
November 23 & 25
M: select ballads
W: HOLIDAY

UNIT 8: DRAMA
November 30 & December 2
M: " The Second Shepherds' Play"
W: "The Second Shepherds' Play"

December 7
M: "The Second Shepherd's Play"/ research papers due

FINAL EXAM: You may attend the final exam at one of the following times: Wednesday, December 9th at 5:00 in Gamble 107 or Monday, December 14th at 6:00 in Gamble 200.
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Dr. Carol Jamison
Gamble Hall 202c
Armstrong Atlantic State University
11935 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31419
Phone: 912.344.3097