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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 399-A H"
COURSE NAME: "Special Topics in English Literature:Knights, Damsels, Pilgrims and Peasants- HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2024
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Lewis Samuel Klausner
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above.
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An in-depth treatment of a current area of special concern within the field of English Literature. Courses offered previously include: Dickens and Englishness; Race, Class, Gender, Culture: The American Dream in Literature; The Innocents Abroad: Perceptions of Italy in American, European and British Writing; Topics in World Literature: Masterpieces in Western Fiction.
This is a reading and writing intensive course. Students in 300-level literature classes are required to produce 5-6,000 words of critical writing.
May be taken more than once for credit with different topics.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
In this course, students will engage in close readings, critical discussions, and research projects, fostering a deep appreciation for Chaucer's literary contributions and a nuanced understanding of the medieval world he depicted. We will read Chaucer in Middle English, the form of the English language spoken and written in England between the late 11th century and the late 15th century. (We will always have glossaries and linear translations on hand to make the meaning clear.) By the end of the semester, participants will have learned to read and pronounce Chaucer’s Middle-English works. Students will have honed their analytical skills reading poetry. They will have gained an appreciation for Chaucer's enduring legacy as a writer and of the 14th Century in which he lived. Top of Form
This is a reading and writing intensive course. Students in 300-level literature classes are required to produce 4-5,000 words of critical writing.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Once we have established the basic features of Middle English (just enough to enable us to read it with a glossary and pronounce it in short passages) we will delve deeply and in detail into the most important of Chaucer’s literary work, The Canterbury Tales (which will occupy us for most of the semester) as well as Troilus and Cresyde, The Pariement of Foules, and The Legend of Good Women. This course reads Chaucer’s work in the context of medieval English culture, its language, political institutions, social structure, and literary genres.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| First Paper | A paper of 2,000-3.000 words, conforming to MLA format, that will utilize scholarly sources and practice close reading of Chaucer's texts. | 20 |
| Midterm Exam | A two-part exam to be done in class and at home. The first part will be identification and short answers. The second part will ask for commentary to be submitted as a Turnitin document of approximately 1,500 words. | 20 |
| Paper Two | Once we have established the basic features of Middle English (just enough to enable us to read it with a glossary and pronounce it in short passages) we will delve deeply and in detail into the most important of Chaucer’s literary work, The Canterbury Tales (which will occupy us for most of the semester) as well as Troilus and Cresyde, The Pariement of Foules, and The Legend of Good Women. This course reads Chaucer’s work in the context of medieval English culture, its language, political institutions, social structure, and literary genres. | 20 |
| Final Exam | A two-part exam, this assignment will ask you to do an ID and short answer section in class. The second part of the exam will ask for commentary submitted on a Turnitin document of approximately 1,500 words. | 20 |
| In class reading and presentation | The course will ask you on multiple occasions to read aloud, translate, and comment upon passages of Chaucer's work iin class. | 20 |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Once we have established the basic features of Middle English (just enough to enable us to read it with a glossary and pronounce it in short passages) we will delve deeply and in detail into the most important of Chaucer’s literary work, The Canterbury Tales (which will occupy us for most of the semester) as well as Troilus and Cresyde, The Pariement of Foules, and The Legend of Good Women. This course reads Chaucer’s work in the context of medieval English culture, its language, political institutions, social structure, and literary genres.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Week One
Introduction to the course: The history of Middle English; England in the 14th Century. The General Prologue of The Canterbury Tales. Practicing pronunciation and translation of the General Prologue.
Week Two
The Knight's Tale
Week Three
The Miller's Prologue and Tale; The Reeves Prologue and Tale.
Week Four:
The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale
Week Five
The Friar's Prologue and Tale, The Clerk's Prologue and Tale
Week Six
The Merchant's Prologue and Tale, The Franklin's Prologue and Tale
Week Seven
he Pardoner's Prologue and Tale,
Week Eight
The Prioress's Prologue and Tale
Week Nine
The Prologue and Tale of Sir Topas, The Nun's Priest's Prologue and Tale.
WeekTen
The Shipman's Tale, The Monk's Prologue and Tale
Week Eleven :
Selections from the Parson's Prologue and Tale, Chaucer's retraction
Week Twelve
Troilus and Creseyde
Week Thirteen
The Parliament of Fowls
Week Thirteen
The Book of the Duchess
Week Fourteen
Review
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