Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title MEDIEVAL NARRATIVES
Code ENGL270
Coordinator Professor SL Peverley
English
S.Peverley@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2021-22 Level 5 FHEQ Second Semester 30

Aims

To introduce a range of medieval narrative literature and common themes found there through studying a variety of texts in the original Middle English, alongside some others written in Anglo-Norman (studied in translation).
To provide a basic reading knowledge of Middle English.
To introduce students to the issues involved in editing early literature.
To introduce students to a range of medieval cultural, intellectual, and literary contexts through the study of Middle English literature.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Students will acquire analytical skills and vocabulary appropriate to university-level work and be able to use them appropriately in relation to a range of sources from different historical periods and social contexts.

(LO2) Students will gain the ability to construct and support argument in written or spoken forms suitable for academic work and be able to participate constructively in group discussions.

(LO3) Students will gain awareness of cultural, theoretical and historical contexts of literature and language use.

(LO4) Students will have the ability to write well-constructed prose, reflecting appropriate scholarly knowledge and independent response within a sustained argument.

(LO5) Students will have the ability to write well-constructed prose, reflecting appropriate scholarly knowledge and independent response within a sustained argument.

(LO6) Students will have the ability to demonstrate research and evaluative skills that support wider literary or linguistic analysis, criticism, and/or data collection.

(LO7) Students will acquire a basic reading ability in Middle English Language.

(LO8) Students will gain an awareness of how early texts might be edited.

(S1) Students will gain the ability to analyse and interpret sophisticated texts closely and critically.

(S2) Students will gain the ability to construct and support argument in both written and spoken forms.

(S3) Students will gain the ability to write with appropriate subject knowledge, using appropriate approaches and terminology.

(S4) Students will gain the ability to identify and assess relevant information and data, and argue independently in response.

(S5) Students will gain the ability to critically evaluate research materials.

(S6) Students will gain the ability to undertake independent research, and to develop a sense of research attitude.

(S7) Students will gain the ability to critically evaluate different editorial methods.

(S8) Students will gain the ability to read medieval texts in the original Middle English and use language-based resources, such as glossaries and the Middle English Dictionary.


Syllabus

 

The module will look at various forms of poetic and prose narrative in the medieval period, covering courtly texts such as romances and lais as well as bawdy tales (fabliaux). Themes explored will include elite behaviour (courtly codes), secular and spiritual codes of conduct, exile, marriage, and quests. A fair chronological range will allow for a sense of historical development and scope for comparison, as well as seeing how certain themes recur, eg rites of passage, women's relation to power, magic, social conduct.

A typical syllabus might cover: Chaucer's Book of the Duchess and a selection from The Canterbury Tales, often including The Knight's Tale, The Reeve's Tale, the Wife of Bath's Tale, and others chosen by tutors; Sir Gawain and the Green Knight; Selected books from Malory's Morte D'Arthur (normally The tale of King Arthur, The Tale of Sir Gareth, The Book of Lancelot and Guinevere). Extracts fro m medieval chronicles, Gower's Confessio Amantis and several lyrics may also be considered.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Workshop
Description: 2 x 1 hour remote workshops per week (weeks 1 to 11)
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided
Notes: Workshops (weeks 1-11) provide a range of contexts (intellectual, cultural, thematic, generic, and author-based) to support students' study of the literature and offer starting points for independent research. They will focus on one or more texts and often involved small groups work or structured debate.

Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Description: 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week (weeks 1-12)
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Weekly tutorials (weeks 1-11) offer the opportunity for close analysis of individual texts through small group teaching and student-centred group discussion.

Teaching Method 3 - Other
Description:
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: Asynchronous tasks and resources will be provided before classes. Additional office hours will also be provided mid-semester for feedback and consulta tion,


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours     12

    12

24

48
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 252
TOTAL HOURS 300

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Practice Editorial Exercise         
Assessment 2 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When): Semester 2    60       
Assessment 1 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When): Semester 2    40       
Annotated Bibliography         

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.