Module Information

Module Identifier
EN23120
Module Title
In the Olde Days: Medieval Texts and Their World
Academic Year
2020/2021
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Journal  200 word weekly journal entry.  0%
Semester Assessment Essay Assignment  1 x 3000 word essay.  60%
Practical Assessment Learning Journal  1 x 1500 word reflective learning journal.  40%
Supplementary Assessment Essay Assignment  Resubmit failed or missing 1 x 3000 word essay.  60%
Supplementary Assessment Learning Journal  Resubmit missing or failed element - 1 x 1500 reflective learning journal.  40%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of a range of late medieveal literary texts in English.

2. Describe and analyse a range of late medieval literary forms and genres.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of late medieval English culture and history.

4. Analyse a range of late medieval texts in English in relation to current critical and theoretical debates.

5. Demonstrate an understanding of late medieval literary English.

6. Engage in sustained critical self-reflection in order to further develop their critical skillset.

Aims

This is one of two medieval options for part II that embed the study of medieval literature in our curriculum. This strand offers students a sustained exposure to medieval literature and builds upon the ‘Beginnings of English’ module in Part I. This survey module is closely connected to Dr. Urban’s research interests.

Brief description

This module offers a survey of late medieval literature that challenges the assumption that texts from this period is much more simple and straightforward than modern literature. Over the course of this module, medieval texts will be examined as products of a culture that values experimentation, playfulness and speculation, highlighting the ways in which medieval texts and their world are exciting areas of literary study today.
The three sections of the module deal with traditions and interpretations, religious experience, and travel and exploration. These interconnected areas serve to highlight the ways in which late medieval English culture is part of a wider network of European religious and secular frameworks,
The module is accessible to anyone with an interest in late medieval literature and current, theoretically-informed approaches to literary texts will be used to explore the relevance of these centuries-old texts in and for our post-millennial society.

Content


Session 1: Introduction

Section 1: Traditions and interpretations
Session 2: Geoffrey Chaucer, ‘The Wife of Bath’s Prologue’; the prologue to The Legend of Good Women
Session 3: John Gower, ‘Prologue’, Confessio amantis

Section 2: Experiencing religion
Session 4: Geoffrey Chaucer, ‘The Prioress’s Prologue’ and ‘Tale’
Session 5: Wycliff and the Lollards
Session 6: The Book of Margery Kempe

Section 3: Travelling the world
Session 7: The story of Constance (Geoffrey Chaucer, John Gower)
Session 8: Bevis of Hampton
Session 9: The Travels of Sir John Mandeville

Session 10: Revision and assessment advice

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number N/A
Communication (Written) By expressing ideas in coherent ways. (Oral) Through group discussions and small group activities.
Improving own Learning and Performance Through independent and directed research and reading. By engaging with assessment feedback in order to raise attainment.
Information Technology By using word processing packages and making use of Blackboard and other e-resources, submitting via turnitin.
Personal Development and Career planning Through developing critical self-reflection and the development of transferable, ICT, communication and research skills.
Problem solving By evaluative analysis and critical skills.
Research skills By independent and directed research and synthesizing information in critically evaluative ways.
Subject Specific Skills Through reading, writing and researching skills involved in the study of literature.
Team work Students will have the opportunity to work in teams for some group activities.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5