ENGL44930: Reading Medieval Literature

• To introduce students to key genres and texts from across the Middle Ages, in particular the 12-15th centuries
• To explore modern critical approaches to the medieval period using a range of perspectives and methodologies
• To interrogate critical assumptions about the study of the Middle Ages
• To provide bases for future research in medieval studies

• Medieval content will be taken from a variety of genres, including epic, chronicle, romance, hagiography, autobiography, lyrics
• Representative texts/authors are Abelard, William of Malmesbury, the Alexandreis, Chaucer, the Paston letters, the Roman de la Rose, Piers Plowman
• Critical perspectives will be introduced using key authors/texts from the 20th and 21st centuries such as Eric Auerbach, C. S. Lewis, Paul Strohm, Carolyn Dinshaw

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Students will gain a detailed knowledge of, and engage critically with, a wide range of texts and genres from the Middle Ages
• Students will reflect on the connections between a variety of diverse genres and texts
• Students will develop an enhanced understanding of critical approaches to the medieval era
• Students will gain familiarity with textual cultures in pre-modern eras

Subject-specific Skills:

• Students studying this module will develop:
• critical skills in the close reading and analysis of texts
• an ability to demonstrate knowledge of a range of texts and critical approaches
• an ability to articulate knowledge and understanding of concepts and theories relating to literary studies
• informed awareness of formal and aesthetic dimensions of literature and ability to offer cogent analysis of their workings in specific texts
• sensitivity to generic conventions and to the shaping effects on communication of historical circumstances, and to the affective power of language
• command of a broad range of vocabulary and an appropriate critical terminology
• awareness of literature as a medium through which values are affirmed and debated

Key Skills:

• Students studying this module will develop:
• a capacity to analyse critically
• an ability to acquire complex information of diverse kinds in a structured and systematic way involving the use of distinctive interpretative skills derived from the subject
• competence in the planning and execution of essays
• a capacity for independent thought and judgement, and ability to assess the critical ideas of others
• skills in critical reasoning
• an ability to handle information and argument in a critical manner
• information-technology skills such as word-processing and electronic data access information
• organisation and time-management skills

• Seminars encourage peer-group discussion, enable students to develop critical skills in the close reading and analysis of texts, and skills of effective communication and presentation; promote awareness of diversity of interpretation and methodology
• Independent but directed reading in preparation for seminars provides opportunity for students to enrich subject-specific knowledge and enhances their ability to develop appropriate subject-specific skills.
• Typically, directed learning may include assigning student(s) an issue, theme or topic that can be independently or collectively explored within a framework and/or with additional materials provided by the tutor. This may function as preparatory work for presenting their ideas or findings (sometimes electronically) to their peers and tutor in the context of a seminar.

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