Early English Lit

Syllabus

 Notes

Exercises

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Early English Literature: Early English Literature: Beginnings to 1485

FALL 2011
Dr. Jamison
Email: Carol.Jamison@armstrong.edu
Gamble 202C
344-3097
Office Hours: 2-3 Monday and Wednesday
11:45-1:30 Tuesday and by appointment

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.

**Books are mandatory!! You must purchase a textbook and bring it to each class. If you show up to class regularly without a book, you will receive a grade penalty. If you choose to purchase a textbook online rather than through the campus bookstore, it is your responsibility to order the book early (before class begins).

** 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 15 & 17
M: Introduction
W: Introduction to Anglo-Saxon England

August 22 & 24
M: Christian Poems and Writings
W: "Beowulf"

August 29 & 31
M: "Beowulf"
W: "Beowulf"

September 5 & 7
M: HOLIDAY
W: elegies

September 12 & 14
M: elegies
W: Heroic Poems

September 19 & 21
M: Charms and Riddles
W: Charms and Riddles

UNIT 2: ABOUT MIDDLE ENGLISH
September 26 & 28
M: selected lyrics and pronunciation
W: Introduction to Medieval Romance

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

October 10 & 12
M: HOLIDAY
W: Midterm

UNIT 4: ALLEGORY AND RELIGION
October 17 & 19
M: "Handlynge Synne"
W: AASU DAY; NO CLASS

October 24 & 26 ALLEGORY AND RELIGION
M: selections from "Piers Plowman" (B Prologus 677-684 and The Confession of the Seven Deadly Sins 693)
W: "Pier's Plowman" continued

UNIT 5: PARODY AND FABLIAU
October 31 & November 2
M: "Lanval"/ "Sir Launfal"
W: "Lanval"/ "Sir Launfal"

November 7 & 9
M: "The Lay of the Horn"/ "The Boy and The Mantle"
W: ""Dame Siriz"

UNIT 6: LOATHLY LADIES
November 14 & 16
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: PARODY
November 21 & 23
M:"Tournament of Tottenham"
W: HOLIDAY

UNIT 8: DRAMA
November 28 & 30
M: " The Second Shepherds' Play"
W: "The Second Shepherds' Play"

December 5
M: "The Second Shepherd's Play"/ research papers due
FINAL EXAM: TBA
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Dr. Carol Jamison
Gamble Hall 202c
Armstrong Atlantic State University
11935 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31419
Phone: 912.344.3097