Middle English Literature ENGL 345 01
Professor Furr
Syllabus Fall 2016
1. Required Readings
There are two types of required readings: from our text, and from me, in the form of online readings not included in our text.
We have only one required text in this course. It is:
The Broadview Anthology of British Literature: The Medieval Period
- Third Edition. Edited by: Joseph Black et al.
https://broadviewpress.com/product/the-broadview-anthology-of-british-literature-the-medieval-period-third-edition/
This is an excellent text both for all reasons: the medieval literary texts themselves;
the translations; and -- especially -- the essays on the historical and cultural context,
without which no literary documents can really be understood.
In addition I will put links to some texts in the homework assignments. These texts are just as much "required reading" as those in the Broadview Anthology.
We will read a number of the major works of Medieval English literature. Some are from the Old English period of about 700 C.E to 1066 C.E.
Most of the rest were written during one of the very greatest periods of English literature -- the late 14th century. They conlude: some shorter works by Geoffrey Chaucer, and the anonymous Arthurian romance "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."
I will divide the class into groups. Most of what takes place in class will take place in group discussions. This IS "the course". We'll also have large group discussions in most classes.
I will lecture from time to time, especially at the outset of the course.
The classes will be mainly discussions of the reading rather than lectures.
Therefore, participation by the whole class in discussions is a must if they are to be interesting and worthwhile. In addition, considerable class time will be spent listening to, and commenting upon and discussing, papers written by the students in the class.
A typical class might be divided this way:
This order can be varied.
All assignments will be submitted by e-mail.
A. Biweekly Assignments
In general, you'll get two short assignments a week, one for each class.
Most of them will ask you to do a close reading of the works we are studying. Some will be based on critical articles or other material to help us understand the reading.
B. Grading Policy for Biweekly Assignments
Your twice-weekly short writing assignments will be graded as follows:
* If they are on time, on-topic, and at assigned length, you will get a grade of 4 (A on the 4-point scale) for that assignment.
* If they are up to one day late, you will get a grade of 2 (C) for that assignment.
* Any assignment received more than one day late will receive an F.
* If I get your assignment on time but it is off topic or shorter than the assigned length, I'll return it to you by email, and you may redo it. But you still must have it in by the assigned time.
These biweekly assignments will be approximately 60 per cent of your grade. There's really no reason that you can't get a "4", or "A", on each of them! Therefore, the way to do well in this class is to be consistent!
If the class seems to be going well, I'll give out some "group" assignments, in which each group can make a presentation to the class as a whole on some topic related to our readings. That helps make the class much more interesting.
C. Research Paper.
Each student will write an individual research project on some aspect of one of the works we study.
This should be an expanded, in-depth paper of which the contribution to the group presentation is a preliminary draft (this is why I list it under ‘Group Assignments’ – it is a part of the group’s project). It should be 10-12 pages (2500-3000 words) in length, in standard MLA research-paper format. Therefore, it’s not really a whole, new research assignment, but a continuation of the work you did on assignment 2 above.
I will introduce you to research methods in this course. This will be helpful to you in completing your individual research paper in this class, and in future classes too.
We'll cover such topics as:
Please do not check any books out of Sprague Library on the subject of this course. Instead, when you find a useful book, bring the AUTHOR, TITLE, and LIBRARY CALL NUMBER to me, and I will put it on reserve for this class. This is to make sure that everyone in the class can consult the relatively few books on this subject that the library possesses.
This syllabus, the Schedule of Readings, all homework assignments, and all other relevant material, will be linked on our Home Page.
You'll learn how to use this page as part of your computer instruction. It's easy! And you'll never worry about forgetting your homework or other assignments again.
There is a lot of material on the Middle Ages, and Medieval literature, on the WorldWide Web, and I will give you a number of assignments from it. It will be fun as well as educational!
Because much of this class consists in group work, it is very important that each student attend class every day that we have class work.
I will take attendance at the beginning of each class. If you know you must be absent for a future class, you will not be penalized IF you do one of the following:
If you do any of the above, your absence will be "excused," and you will not be penalized for it.
If you do not do either, or forget to do so, your absence will be "unexcused." Three "unexcused" absences lowers your final grade by one point (e.g. "A-" becomes "B+", "C" becomes "C-", etc.) Five "unexcused" absences lowers your grade by a full letter (e.g. "A-" becomes "B-", "C" becomes "D").
If you come in late to class (after I have taken attendance), it is your responsibility to tell me after class that same day that you were present but late. If you forget to do that, you will be charged with an "unexcused" absence.
Since we are working in groups, repeated absences or lateness will hold back not only you, but your group and the whole class. Please do not be late repeatedly. I will penalize repeated lateness by lowering the final grade.
There will be an optional mid-term exam, and a final exam due on, the day set aside for the final in the course in the Schedule of Courses, Fall 2016
"Optional" means you may choose not to take it.
Other than the examinations, I will have plenty of assignments to grade you on.
I will grade you on the following:
It may be easiest for you to email me at my email address: furrgATmail.montclair.edu
Directions for the right subject line to use are on our Home Page.
Remember to put your last name, the letters MEL (capital letters), and the date the assignment is due -- NOT the date you are sending it to me, on the Subject line of every email to me.
I will return, without grading or counting them, all messages sent to me without a proper Subject Line. See the example on our Home Page.
Sometimes you just have a question or comment that can be handled without seeing me personally. If so, email me and I'll get back to you within 24 hours. I check my email at least once a day, usually twice.
But there will be times you want to see me in person.
My Office Hours: M and R 11:30 a.m.,to 12:45 p.m and R 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.my office DI-325 (Dickson Hall).
My office phone number is 655-7305. But please do not leave messages at this number. The audio is poor, and I won't get your message. Instead, email me.
Don't hesitate to come in for help or a discussion at any time. If you come during office hours, you do not need an appointment -- just drop in.
My email address for this course is: furrgATmail.montclair.edu.
http://chss.montclair.edu/english/furr/mel/melsyl16.html | Email me | last modified 30 Aug 16