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Academic Year 2001/2002


Practicing Courtly Love
ENGL 285 SP

Crosslistings:
MDST 285
WMST 284

The term "courtly love" was coined in the late 19th century to describe the conventions of erotic sentiment expressed in certain medieval literary texts, as well as the courtship practices they were held to represent. This course will examine the relation between representation and practice by reading these texts against (what we can know about) their historical settings, with particular attention to constructions of gender and sexuality and their relation to literary production.

MAJOR READINGS

In translation:
Andreas Capellanus, THE ART OF COURTLY LOVE;
Chretien de Troyes, LANCELOT, YVAIN;
Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun, THE ROMANCE OF THE ROSE (excerpts), THE "QUARREL" OF THE ROSE;
Christine de Pizan, BOOK OF THE CITY OF LADIES (excerpts);
In Middle English, with reference to Modern English translations:
Middle English lyrics;
Chaucer, TROILUS AND CRISSEYDE;
SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Several short papers (4-5 pp.).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This course satisfies the English department's pre-1800 requirement. Although we will be reading some of these texts in their original language, prior knowledge of Middle English is not expected.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA ENGL    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2002


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