SPRING 2001
ENG 340: ENGLISH LITERATURE I, MEDIEVAL & EARLY RENAISSANCE
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course offers a historical survey of English literature from its beginnings
in the Anglo-Saxon (Old English) period through the early Renaissance (c. 1600).
Texts and authors studied include Beowulf, selected Arthurian legends,
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, The Romance of Tristan and
Iseult, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the Lais of Marie de France,
early Renaissance poetry, and others.
TEXTBOOKS (Available at Creighton Bookstore):
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1) Three Exams (50%)
The exams will feature essay sections as well as objective questions dealing with literary texts, their features, authors, and history. Exams will cover the texts read in the class as well as those discussed in the student presentations.
2) Group Presentation (15%)
Students will work in groups and take turns making 15-20 minute presentations on assigned topics. Presentations should offer objective information on the dates, historical context, authorship, genre, stylistic and/or language features, and other relevant facts connected to specific texts and authors. Knowledge of facts covered in the presentations will be tested in quizzes and examinations. Presenters are encouraged to use audiovisual materials (web pages, PowerPoint slides, overhead displays, handouts, etc.) illustrating and clarifying important points. Presentations will be graded on the basis of accuracy and completeness of the researched information, clarity of delivery, and audiovisual appeal.
3) Term Project (25%)
Students will design and pursue a project (paper, art or creative work, videotape, web site, etc.) related to any aspect of the course materials. All projects must be original and will be presented to the class. Projects may be analytical papers (8-12 pp., MLA format) offering close readings/interpretations of any of the literary texts studied. In general, students are encouraged to choose material and media which are interesting and stimulating and should not feel limited to traditional academic topics or techniques. All projects however must demonstrate substantial effort, thought, and understanding/incorporation of the course's issues and materials. All projects must be approved by the instructor in advance (see Schedule below).
4) Participation, Involvement, and Other Performance (10%)
Students will also be graded according to preparation, effort, participation, development, and involvement in the course.
5) Grading Scale and Other Policies
All performance will be graded on a 0-100 point scale where 0-59 = F, 60-69 = D, 70-76 = C, 77-79 = C+, 80-86 = B, 87-89 = B+, and 90-100 = A. Notice that the course grade may not exceed the percentage of class time attended (thus, a student attending only 75 % of the total class time may not receive a course grade higher than C). Originality and personal effort are expected of all work. All students in the class are expected to observe the University's guidelines on student conduct as described in Creighton University's Student Handbook (see "Code of Conduct," and especially the section on "Academic Misconduct" dealing with problems of plagiarism, cheating, etc.).
|
Term Project |
25% |
|
Presentation |
15% |
| Exams |
50%
|
|
Other Performance |
10%
|
|
Total |
100% |
SCHEDULE
Students must make sure to complete the reading by the date indicated. Read both the text and any introductions provided in the textbooks.
Thu Jan 11
Tue Jan 16
Thu Jan 18
Tue Jan 23
Thu Jan 25
Tue Jan 30
Thu Feb 01
Tue Feb 06
Thu Feb 08
Tue Feb 13
Thu Feb 15
Tue Feb 20
Thu Feb 22
Tue Feb 27
Thu Mar 01
Tue Mar 06
Thu Mar 08
Tue Mar 13
Thu Mar 15
Tue Mar 20
Thu Mar 22
Tue Mar 27
Thu Mar 29
Tue Apr 03
Thu Apr 05
Tue Apr 10
Thu Apr 12
Tue Apr 17
Thu Apr 19
Tue Apr 24
Thu Apr 26
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