2:30P-3:45P  TR  (30) 3 cr

OPEN TO MAJORS ONLY.  DECLARED MINORS OBTAIN AUTHORIZATION FROM
BH402.

If you have ever read Chaucer or Shakespeare, you know how untrue are stereotypical
views of Medieval and Renaissance literature as ``boring'' or ``irrelevant.''  Aside from the
qualities that continue to engage modern readers--psychologically complex characters, rich
language, comedic brilliance, and frank representations of sexual desire--these works also speak
to contemporary debates concerning religion, politics, and gender relations.  In this course we
will place Medieval and Renaissance literature in historical context, organizing our analysis
around three main topics: the church and religion; politics and the court; gender, sexuality, and
marriage.

Students will be divided into groups based on these three topics.  Each group will prepare
a class discussion or performance of a relevant work from the syllabus.  Through a combination
of group presentations, small group work, full class discussion, and lecture, our goal will be to
interpret this literature in light of both stylistic and historical considerations.  We will pay
attention to literary genre, language, and convention.  However, we will also ask what literary
texts can tell us about the social and ideological forces that shaped life in Medieval and
Renaissance England.

Readings will include SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT, Chaucer's CANTERBURY
TALES, medieval drama, sixteenth-century poetry and plays by Wyatt, Sidney, Spenser, Queen
Elizabeth, Marlowe and Shakespeare.

Requirements are 2 essays; a final exam; in-class writing; the keeping of a reading journal;
a group presentation; active participation in class discussion and small group work.  Attendance
will not be strictly taken, but will be strongly encouraged through a participation grade and
through in-class writings and activities that can not be made up.

We will use THE NORTON ANTHOLOGY OF ENGLISH LITERATURE (6th ed., vol. 1) and
individual volumes of plays by Marlowe and Shakespeare.