Syllabus

CLASS HOURS: W 4:20 pm - 6:50 pm, JR348, Class # 13065
INSTRUCTOR: Scott Kleinman
OFFICE: Sierra Tower 803
TELEPHONE: (818) 677-0901
E-MAIL: scott.kleinman@csun.edu
OFFICE HOURS: To be determined

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This graduate seminar looks at the work of the most famous contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. All but forgotten after the fourteenth century, the Gawain-poet shot to prominence and has been hailed as one of the greaatest authors of the Middle Ages since his rediscovery at the end of the nineteenth century. We will look at all four works by the Gawain-poet: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, Cleanness, and Patience, and examining them within the historical and literary context of the Middle Ages and of the late fourteenth century. Note: Web resources are not yet available for this course. Please try again closer to the beginning of the semester.

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.

TEXTBOOK AND READINGS

• Poems of the Pearl Manuscript, ed. Malcolm Andrew and Ronald Waldron, 3rd edn (University of Exeter Press, 2002).

In addition to the text listed above, we will read numerous shorter texts in handout form to be assigned in the course of the semester.

COURSEWORK

Your grade will be based on three essays spaced throughout the semester. Each will be worth 30% of your grade. You will also be asked to do translations and short oral presentations, worth 10% of your grade.

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 U, you must have completed more than half the coursework (no exceptions). See also my Policy on Incompletes.

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. 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. Please make sure to meet the deadline!