Syllabus

CLASS HOURS: TH 4:20 - 6:45 pm, JR348, Class Number 17010
INSTRUCTOR: Scott Kleinman
OFFICE: Sierra Tower 803
TELEPHONE: (818) 677-0901
E-MAIL: scott.kleinman@csun.edu
WEB SITE: http://www.csun.edu/~sk36711/WWW/engl443/

This course will look at the genre of romance as it took shape in medieval England. We will look at a selection of romances from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries in the original Middle English, examining their origins in French courtly romance, their formal characteristics, thematic concerns, and cultural contexts. Along they way, we will consider the social functions of romance, its blurring of fiction and reality, and its place in English literary history as it moved from courtly to popular, and back to courtly audiences. We will also consider the history of book production and popular reading in the Middle Ages and address theoretical questions about how texts were read before the print era.

COURSE GOALS

• To develop a reading knowledge of Middle English sufficient to understand and appreciate a selection of Middle romances in the original language.
• To acquire knowledge of the cultural contexts in which Middle English romances were composed and read in the Middle Ages.
• To understand some of the critical issues that arise from the study of Middle English romances and to develop skills in the critical interpretation of these texts.

TEXTBOOK AND READINGS

• Lay le Freine (http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/Teams/tmsmenu.htm#l).
• Chrétien de Troyes, Yvain or, the Knight with the Lion (http://omacl.org/Yvain/index.html).
• The Auchinleck Manuscript: An Online Edition (http://www.nls.uk/auchinleck/).
• Four Middle English Romances, ed. Harriet Hudson (Medieval Institute, 1996) (http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/Teams/hudson.htm).
• Geoffrey Chaucer, Troilus and Criseyde, ed. Barry Windeatt (Penguin, 2004).

In addition to the texts scheduled above, we will read numerous shorter texts to be assigned in the course of the semester. There will also be a number of handouts.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Note: This timetable may change depending on the pace of the class. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to find out what the assigned work was.

COURSEWORK

Your grade will be based on participation (10%), one translation test (15%), and three essays (75%). Guidelines for this work will be given to you in the course of the semester, but note that all texts not studied in translation MUST be cited in the original Middle English.

GRADING

All essays must be typed. Late submissions and essays containing distracting numbers of typos, spelling mistakes, or grammatical errors will drop as much as one full grade. There is no automatic credit for participation or attendance; however, I will take these factors into account at the end of the semester in the case of borderline grades. I regret that I am unable to handle extra-credit assignments. Note: To receive a grade other than a W, you must have completed more than half the coursework (no exceptions). See also my Policy on Incompletes.

Participation

Enrolling in this class requires a commitment to a collaborative learning environment in which you agree both to have a part in the work of the class and not to disrupt the work of the class. In order to fulfil these requirements completely, you must bring your textbook to each class, contribute to group work and class discussion, and complete all the assignments additional to the essay and tests. You must also remember to turn off your cell phones and remain in the classroom for the duration of the class period.

OFFICE CONSULTATIONS AND HOURS

Office hours ensure that there is a time when you can always find me, but I encourage you to come and see me at any time. Either make an appointment or just drop by to see if I am in.

ATTENDANCE AND ACADEMIC HONESTY

Regular attendance is essential for success in this course. Frequent absences will be noted and may be reflected in your final grade. It is also extremely important that all aspects of your work are come by honorably. Efforts to gain an advantage not given to all students are dishonest and regarded as an extremely serious matter by the academic community. Consequences range from probation to expulsion.

ADD/DROP POLICY

Students should make sure that they follow the university's add/drop deadlines, outlined in the Schedule of Classes or on my add/drop policy page. According to university policy, drops are only allowed after the date therein when "a) there is a serious and compelling reason--specifically the student’s emotional or physical health or financial condition is clearly in jeopardy, and b) there is no viable alternative--including repeating the class". Students will need to provide documentation on official letterhead--a letter, on official stationery, from a doctor or an employer--to support their reasons. No adds will be allowed unless a student can provide documented proof--e.g., a clerical error--for the reason for the tardiness.