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Early Book Culture
ENGL290 SP

This course will examine textual production and consumption in manuscript and early print culture. After reading studies by Clanchy and Eisenstein, we will pair medieval and Renaissance texts, studying their textual histories in terms of authorial control, compilation and dissemination, and literary form. The course includes a possible field trip to the Beinecke Library.

MAJOR READINGS

Reading portions and studying textual histories of: Gower, CONFESSIO AMANTIS Shakespeare, HAMLET (1603) Harley MS 2253 (with the lyrics) Tottle's Miscellany Langland, PIERS PLOWMAN Spenser, FAERIE QUEENE Langland may be read in translation, but there are no translations of Gower or many of the Harley lyrics.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

An oral presentation, a short paper based on that presentation and one long (15-20 pp.) paper.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This course counts toward the department's pre-1800 requirements. Prior experience in reading Middle English stongly recommended.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: ENGL201

Last Updated on MAR-24-2000

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