Medieval English Literature in the Classroom *EDU*

Medieval English Literature in the Classroom is suitable for students with an interest in Medieval English literature and medieval studies. It enables ambitious MA students to explore in depth an area in the field of medieval English Studies that may play a vital role in their future careers, as teachers, writers, translators, or researchers. Engaging for 7 weeks with medievalists from universities across the country to discuss the research these academics produce, study the theoretical considerations that lie at its basis, and explore the instruments of this research (including the library and internet resources), students will develop insight into the field of English Studies at large, as well as the state of the art in their future professions. This course also helps students develop their own research ideas, their abilities to move beyond literary sources, to write convincingly about their findings, and to develop ideas about integrating medieval literature in modern teaching practice. Each year a different text or set of texts and themes from the Anglo-Saxon period or High Middle Ages will be selected. This course can be fruitfully combined with the MasterLanguage course ‘Language variation and change from Old to Middle English.’

Despite its huge influence on modern politics, arts and culture, medieval English literature is rarely taught at secondary schools today. This course explores ways in which current research into medieval English literature can be translated to a classroom context. This year, the course will focus on the Old English epic poem Beowulf (a world classic), the popular Middle English legends about King Arthur as well as Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

This course enables ambitious MA students to explore in depth an area in the field of medieval English Studies that may play a vital role in their future careers, as teachers, writers, translators, or researchers. Engaging for 7 weeks with medievalists from universities across the country to discuss the research these academics produce, study the theoretical considerations that lie at its basis, and explore the instruments of this research (including the library and internet resources), students will develop insight into the field of English Studies at large, as well as the state of the art in their future professions. This course also helps students develop their own research ideas, their abilities to move beyond literary sources, and to write convincingly about their findings.

A basic knowledge of medieval English language and literature is highly recommended. Students who have not followed one or more preparatory modules must contact the course coordinator some weeks before the course starts for an alternative, online means to grasp the basics of Old English or Middle English.

Prospective course outline:

Introduction

Session 1: Introduction: Why teach medieval English literature? How to teach history and culture of medieval England with modern adaptations (medievalism)?

Project 1 ‘Beowulf’

Session 2. Beowulf

Session 3. Teaching project: Beowulf

Project 2 ‘Arthurian Literature’

Session 4. King Arthur

Session 5. Teaching project: King Arthur

Project 3 ‘Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales’

Session 6. Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales

Session 7. Teaching project: Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales