EN3C1-30 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 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 coherent and detailed understanding, informed where appro-priate by recent scholarship, of the evo-lution of the Arthurian myth from the twelfth to the fifteenth century, some of its principal genres, and the reasons behind the Arthurian revival in nine-teenth and twentieth century Britain and America.
- Deploy accurately in relation to particu-lar texts their knowledge of the rela-tionships between different genres and of the historical and cultural contexts in which the texts studied were produced.
- Develop an independent and creative response to primary texts studied on the course.
- Describe and comment on particular aspects of recent research and scholar-ship
- Apply their knowledge and understand-ing in order to carry out an extended piece of writing
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
Reading & research.
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 A3
| 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 4 of UFIA-QW26 Undergraduate Film and Literature (with Study Abroad)
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 3 of UFIA-QW25 Undergraduate Film and Literature