ENG6552 - The Continuing Middle Ages

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1) Understand the formal and aesthetic characteristics of medieval genres
2) Analyse the significance of the Middle Ages to post-medieval cultures
3) Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which medieval texts can be modernised
4) respond critically and creatively on topics of their choice, drawing on a wide range of reading and showing awareness of critical debate

Content:

Students will make a close study of a range of medieval texts that address such major themes as sexual love in courtship and marriage; destructive forces, including betrayal and the ravages of time; social love and the dream of a justly ordered society. Further to this, students will explore the ways in which medieval literature has been appropriated and adapted throughout the post-medieval period. Topics to be covered will include: Pre-Raphaelitism; popular medievalism; political appropriation; Middle Ages for children and antiquarianism versus modernisation.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Learning and teaching methods will combine text-based seminars, workshops and self-directed reading and writing. Discussion will be a key element throughout the module.

Seminars
Contact hours 12 x 2
Number of groups 1

Other relevant matters
Students may choose to submit a piece of creative writing rather than a critical essay for the Semester 2 part of the assessment. Clear criteria for assessment of a piece of work in this form, comparable to the criteria for assessment of a critical essay, will be published.

Assessment: