Medieval Literature: Chaucer and His Contemporaries

3 credits · Undergraduate

(3 hrs Lecture) The later Middle Ages, the age of Chaucer, was a period of devastating calamities and highest creative achievements. In this course, students explore both, reflecting on the ways medieval life, with all its contrasts and exuberance, was imaginatively captured - and transformed - in romances, fabliaux, fables, lyrics, and mystery plays. The focus is on Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and other texts, such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Second Shepherd's Play. Typically students read these texts against the background of medieval notions about literature, art, music, folklore, religion, and science. Restrictions: Students may not hold credit for this course and ENGL-2301| ENGL-4242 | ENGL-4302. Requisite Courses: 6 credit hours of First-year English, including ENGL-1001(6) or ENGL-1000(3) [prerequisite(s)].