Office Hours: MW 11:15am-12:30pm; TR 1pm-3pm
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Union County College |
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| ENG 285-071Literature of the Arthurian Tradition | ||
| Spring 2008 Weds. 5:40pm-8:30pm H-314 | ||
| Dr. Susannah Chewning | ||
| (908) 709-7182 · chewning@ucc.edu | ||
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Office Hours: MW 11:15am-12:30pm; TR 1pm-3pm |
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Course Description: A study of the way one theme (or several related themes) finds embodiment in literature and of the way it influences literary form and structure. Works chosen for reading and discussion express intense concern for a theme such as the adolescent, violence, the hero, the artist as pariah, death, war, or the absurd. Prerequisite: ENG 102 or 122.
Course Objectives: by the end of the semester, students will
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provide a sense of chronology and historical continuity as a basis for the study of literature, so that writers and their works may be observed within their cultural milieu and moment. |
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demonstrate their familiarity with several aspects of the Arthurian tradition through papers and exams, as well as its impact on all aspects of European culture in the second millennium. |
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develop techniques of accurate and appreciative interpretation through the practice of critical thinking and writing. |
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Write competently on subjects associated with the overall myth, on specific problems and issues associated with the Arthurian tradition, and on modern interpretations of the Arthurian world, through films and other contemporary media. |
Required Texts:
Malory, Sir Thomas. Le Morte d’Arthur. Ed. Keith Baines. New York: Signet, 1962, 2001.
Tennyson, Alfred. Idylls of the King. Ed. J.M. Gray. New York: Penguin, 1983, 1996.
Wilhelm, James J., ed. The Romance of Arthur: An Anthology of Medieval Texts in Translation. New York: Garland, 1994.
Recommended Texts:
Hacker, Diana. A Writer's Reference. 6th edition. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008.
The American Heritage College Dictionary. 4th edition. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2002 (any College dictionary).
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Course
Requirements:
Please see policies handout for class policies.
Reading assignments. Please make sure you read all the assignments on time. You will also be expected to discuss what you have read at length in class. Participation, which is 20% of your grade, includes being in class, taking quizzes, and being prepared to participate.
Four papers:
two shorter papers, of approximately 900 words, due February 27 and April 9, and
one longer paper of at least 1,200 words (five typed pages) due May 13. An
additional paper of two to four pages will accompany each student’s in-class
presentation on an Arthurian film (deadline April 30).Paper topics will be
assigned and discussed at length in class. All papers written for this class
must be typed and must conform in style and format to the MLA System of Style
and Documentation. Late papers will not be accepted and cannot be revised.
Response Papers: Twelve short (two-hundred word) response papers based
on your readings. These are informal papers in which you discuss your response
to the readings we do for class. It is the best way for you to communicate with
me and, at least on paper, participate with the class in your discussion of what
you have read. These papers will not be accepted late and cannot be revised.
Most days you will be reading more than one text. You can write two hundred
words on one text, on all of the assignments combined, or on each text. You may
write as many additional response papers for extra-credit as you like, but
please turn in the minimum required. Please note that responses are not due on
the days papers are due, but you may turn them in for extra-credit.
Mid-term and final exams in class.
Breakdown of Grades: Participation 20%; Papers 50%; Exams and Quizzes 30%
Grading Scale: 100-92 A; 91-87 B+; 86-82 B; 81-77 C+; 76-70 C; 69-66 D+; 65-62 D; below that F. Please see my handout on grading for specific rubrics for each grade.
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Writing Expectations: This is not a writing class, but in a sense all
college English classes are writing classes. This is a class in which your
writing will be closely examined and in which you will be expected to express
your opinions of the texts we will read in writing. Thus I have fairly high
standards which I expect you to meet in your written work. All papers must
conform to the MLA System of Style and Documentation. They must also be free of
careless grammatical errors and typos. I strongly urge you to meet with me when
your papers are due--if necessary, to show me outlines, rough drafts, and other
pre-writing--so you can be sure that your writing is at the level that I expect
for this class. You are also strongly urged to pursue assistance from writing
tutors (available in the ALC office in the Library).
How to reach me: Phone: (908) 709-7182. E-mail
chewning@ucc.edu. Regular mail:
Dr. Susannah Chewning
Department of English
Union County College
1033 Springfield Avenue
Cranford, NJ 07016
My mailbox on campus is in the Nomahegan Faculty Lounge. Because of my very busy
schedule, it is difficult for me to return telephone calls. You are much more
likely to get an immediate response from me if you e-mail me during the hours of
9am and 5pm. I cannot accept e-mailed or faxed papers, nor can I relay
grades (including final course grades) via e-mail or phone. No
exceptions. My office hours are Monday and Wednesday, 11:15am-12:30pm; Tuesday
and Thursday, 1pm-3pm, and by appointment, but please feel free to drop by my
office before or after class to discuss your progress in this course.
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Schedule of Assignments: In addition to these assignments, there may
be homework given in class. If you miss a class, you should speak to a classmate
(not me) to get the assignment. Not being in class is no excuse for not
completing an assignment--please keep in touch with me, especially if you have
to miss a class.
W 1/30 Introduction to class. Film: In Search of Camelot. Arthurian Chronology and resources.
W 2/6 Wilhelm, chapters 1 and 2. Culwch and Olwen.
W 2/13 Wilhelm, “Arthur in Geoffrey of Monmouth.”
W 2/20 Wilhelm, The Saga of the Mantle and Marie de France, Lanval.
W 2/27 Wilhelm, Beroul, The Romance of Tristan (and chapters 11-13). Paper 1 due.
W 3/5 Spring Break, no classes.
W 3/12 Wilhelm, Chretien de Troyes, Lancelot.
W 3/19 Wilhelm, The Prose Merlin and the Suite de Merlin.
W 3/26 Wilhelm, chapters 15-17, Sir Gawain.
W 4/2 Malory, Morte d’Arthur. The Holy Grail.
W 4/9 Malory, Morte d’Arthur.
W 4/16 Malory, Morte d’Arthur. Paper 2 due.
W 4/23 Handouts: the Renaissance and the Eighteenth Centuries.
W 4/30 Tennyson, pp. 21-35 and pp. 142-205. Last date to present film paper.
W 5/7 Tennyson, pp. 206-302.
W 5/14 Final examination, 5pm-7:30pm. Paper 3 due.
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ENG 285071 Literature of the Arthurian Tradition Paper Topics
Paper 1, due February 27: Choose an early Arthurian text and relate it either to the other works of literature of the period (ie, Anglo-Saxon, Old Norse, early English) or a historical or social issue of the period which the work reflects. Use at least two secondary sources besides the text you discuss.
Paper 2, due April 16. Choose a figure from the Arthurian tradition and discuss his or her depiction in at least two texts, going into detail about each text and discussing any literary or social issue that is relevant to the portrayal of the figure in that particular era. For example, you could look at how Chretien de Troyes and Malory represent Lancelot, how and why they are different, and what the differences mean.
Film paper, presented in class by no later than April 30. Choose a film from the following list and bring it to class with a brief (ten minute) presentation about the film itself, its relevance to other Arthurian films or films of its genre, and its relevance to at least one text we have read in class. Please choose one of the following films:
King Arthur (2004) The Sword in the Stone
First Knight The Mists of Avalon
Excalibur The Mighty
The Sword of the Valiant The Quest for Camelot
Monty Python and the Holy Grail A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court
Merlin Tristan and Isolde
Lancelot Camelot
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Paper 4, due May 15: This
will be a research paper in which you discuss an issue of interest to you that
has been presented in/by one or more of the texts or authors we are reading in
this class. Some suggestions: the relevance of the Arthurian tradition to a
particular social or political issue or concept; the use of Arthurian themes or
characters in contemporary culture; King Arthur in Sci-Fi; gender and sexuality
in the Arthurian tradition; heroism in the Arthurian tradition; Celtic or Nose
myth and Arthurian literature. In this paper you will discuss the issue upon
which you wish to focus and then apply the texts and/or authors you will use to
support your opinion. This paper must include the use and documentation of
at least five sources (including one from the Internet if you
like, but only from sites ending in .gov, .org, or .edu) and must be at least
four pages in length. Remember: you must pass this paper with a grade of C or
higher in order to pass this class.
