2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Apr 02, 2025

2024-2025 Academic Catalog

ENG 150 - Introduction to Medieval Literature

Brian Stock writes that “The Renaissance invented the Middle Ages in order to define itself; the Enlightenment perpetuated them in order to admire itself; and the Romantics revived them in order to escape from themselves. In their widest ramifications ‘the Middle Ages’ thus constitute one of the most prevalent cultural myths of the modern world.” Turn and face the strange! This class takes us on a magical mystery tour of medieval literature, from Old English riddles to Norman French romance, from devotional allegories and bawdy fabliaux to Arthurian legends. We will read works by both canonical and lesser-known writers while exploring related social and cultural themes within their historical contexts. We will also investigate how these texts engage with eternally resonant issues like war and peace, gender, sexuality, race, class, interpersonal violence, politics, etc. Featured authors include (but are not limited to) the Beowulf and Gawain poets, Marie de France, Margery Kempe, Julian of Norwich, Geoffrey Chaucer, and Thomas Malory.

For English majors, this course satisfies the D-1 requirement. For English minors, this course counts as an English course.

Anticipated Terms Offered: Periodically