Middle English: The Canterbury Tales
This class is intended to introduce participants to Middle English both linguistically and literarily. The central intentions are to provide those taking the course with an orientation about the kind of writing available in Middle English as well as enough knowledge about the nature of the language to read important Middle English texts.
Although we will look at a variety of different texts in the approach taken, the main focus of the class will be on Geoffrey Chaucer’s key work, The Canterbury Tales (CT), which will serve as the main point of linguistic observation as well as an entertaining way of looking into some of the varied aspects of fourteenth century English life and language.
We will concentrate on the Prolog to the CT, but will also read excerpts from a selection of the individual tales. Work will involve both glossing and/or translating passages from the texts and commenting on them in the larger historical, social, and literary context.
A literature list and reserved reading shelf will be provided.
Frequency | Weekday | Time | Format / Place | Period | |
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weekly | Di | 08:30-10:00 (s.t.) | U2-240 | 01.04.-12.07.2019 |
Module | Course | Requirements | |
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23-ANG-AngVM1 Vertiefungsmodul 1: Britain | 1.1 Periods of the English Language | Study requirement
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Student information |
- | Graded examination | Student information | |
23-ANG-AngVM3 Vertiefungsmodul 3: Linguistics | VM 3.1 Historical Linguistics | Study requirement
|
Student information |
VM 3.2 Language System | Study requirement
|
Student information | |
VM 3.3 Language in Use | Study requirement
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Student information | |
- | Graded examination | Student information |
The binding module descriptions contain further information, including specifications on the "types of assignments" students need to complete. In cases where a module description mentions more than one kind of assignment, the respective member of the teaching staff will decide which task(s) they assign the students.
Participants are expected to attend class regularly and to do the background reading.
In order to get full credit points, participants may make presentations (both oral and written) on a given topic or take the final exam. Those who wish to deepen their work may elect to write a module paper.