ENG 4820, capstone 4821: Medieval Literature
with Dr. Gulley
TR 9:30-10:45, Sanford 502
(Illustration may not accurately reflect an actual class period)
According to movies, television, and video games, the Middle Ages was a time of darkness, disease, religious extremism, misogyny, and just about any other unpleasant thing you can think of. But what was it really like? In this course, we’ll begin to answer this question: Yes, there was disease and the Crusades, but there was also science, progressive theology, and incredible art and literature. We’ll learn about the literature, language, and culture of the early and high Middle Ages in England, a period spanning the years c. 500 to 1500, studying texts from a variety of sources, including not only creative fiction but also historical chronicles and religious commentary. Our readings will include works translated from Latin and Old English as well as several in the original Middle English. We’ll also briefly explore the field of medievalism—that is, how the medieval era is recreated in later time periods, in such forms as film or fiction, like Lord of the Rings or even Harry Potter!
Teaching and learning methods will consist of lots of reading, in and out of class writing, lectures, class presentations, exams, and lots of discussion. In addition, you’ll produce a medieval artifact—in past classes students have tried their hand at wine-making or weaving—and we’ll work with medieval manuscripts using items from our library’s Special Collections.
Gulley ENG 4821 Fall 2023
