EN2C1-30 Arthurian Literature & its Legacy
Introductory description
EN2C1-30 Arthurian Literature & its Legacy
Module aims
The module will explore the evolution of Arthurian myth from the mid twelfth up until the mid fifteenth centuries. Several major works from Middle English literature will be studied in their original language, along with French, German and Latin works in modern translation. In study-ing these texts particular attention will be paid to the fol-lowing topics: the nature of different national responses to the myth of British imperialism, the representation of women, the literary construction of knighthood, and the way in which the medieval church attempted to regulate and redirect the chivalric ethos. The last 6 weeks of the module will examine the characteristics of the Arthurian revival in Victorian and twentieth-century Britain.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Autumn term
The Early Arthur of History and the Chronicles
Spring Term
The Late Medieval Arthur: theories of downfall
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of the evolution of the Arthurian myth from the twelfth to the fifteenth centu-ry, some of its principal genres, and the reasons behind the Arthurian revival in nineteenth and twentieth century Brit-ain and America.
- Apply their knowledge of historical contexts and genres to independent reading and analysis of texts
- Use a range of techniques in order to analyse literary texts including close reading of primary texts, critical reading of secondary materials, carrying out searches for appropriate scholarly mate-rials relevant to the materials studied on the course.
- Effectively and accurately communicate arguments and analysis in response to exam and/or essay questions provided by module tutor
Subject specific skills
To understand the evolution of Arthurian myth from the mid twelfth to the mid fifteenth centuries; to understand some of the genres and voices of medieval Arthurian narratives to further knowledge of Middle English language through a study of several major works of Middle English literature contemporary with or later than those studied in EN121; to examine the reasons behind the Arthurian revival in nineteenth and twentieth-century Britain and America, together with the ways in which the myth has been rearticulated to encompass Victorian, modern and post-modern concerns.
Transferable skills
No transferable skills defined for this module.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 18 sessions of 1 hour 30 minutes (9%) |
| Private study | 273 hours (91%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Research & reading.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A2
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Assessed essay 1 | 40% | Yes (extension) | |
Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Assessed essay 2 | 60% | Yes (extension) | |
Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Tabula & face-to-face.
Pre-requisites
To take this module, you must have passed:
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 2 of UCXA-QQ37 Undergraduate Classics and English
-
UENA-QQ00 Undergraduate English & Cultural Studies
- Year 2 of QQ00 English & Cultural Studies
- Year 2 of QQ00 English & Cultural Studies
- Year 2 of UENA-Q300 Undergraduate English Literature
- Year 2 of UENA-QP36 Undergraduate English Literature and Creative Writing
- Year 2 of UCXA-QQ39 Undergraduate English and Classical Civilisation
-
UFRA-QR3A Undergraduate English and French
- Year 2 of QR3A English and French
- Year 3 of QR3A English and French
-
ULNA-QR37 Undergraduate English and German
- Year 2 of QR37 English and German
- Year 3 of QR37 English and German
-
UHPA-QR34 Undergraduate English and Hispanic Studies
- Year 2 of QR34 English and Hispanic Studies
- Year 3 of QR34 English and Hispanic Studies
- Year 2 of UENA-VQ32 Undergraduate English and History
- Year 2 of UENA-VQ34 Undergraduate English and History (with a term in Venice)
-
ULNA-QR38 Undergraduate English and Italian
- Year 2 of QR38 English and Italian
- Year 3 of QR38 English and Italian
- Year 2 of UTHA-QW34 Undergraduate English and Theatre Studies
- Year 2 of UFIA-QW25 Undergraduate Film and Literature
- Year 2 of ULAA-M136 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (3 Year)
-
UVCA-LA99 Undergraduate Liberal Arts
- Year 2 of LA99 Liberal Arts
- Year 2 of LA92 Liberal Arts with Classics
- Year 2 of LA73 Liberal Arts with Design Studies
- Year 2 of LA83 Liberal Arts with Economics
- Year 2 of LA82 Liberal Arts with Education
- Year 2 of LA95 Liberal Arts with English
- Year 2 of LA81 Liberal Arts with Film and Television Studies
- Year 2 of LA80 Liberal Arts with Global Sustainable Development
- Year 2 of LA93 Liberal Arts with Global Sustainable Development
- Year 2 of LA97 Liberal Arts with History
- Year 2 of LA71 Liberal Arts with Law
- Year 2 of LA91 Liberal Arts with Life Sciences
- Year 2 of LA75 Liberal Arts with Modern Lanaguages and Cultures
- Year 2 of LA96 Liberal Arts with Philosophy
- Year 2 of LA94 Liberal Arts with Theatre and Performance Studies
- Year 2 of UPHA-VQ72 Undergraduate Philosophy and Literature
- Year 2 of UPHA-VQ52 Undergraduate Philosophy, Literature and Classics
- Available to all intermediate students on non-English Literature degree programmes – subject to availability and must have A level English Literature or equivalent qualification.