Undergraduate Course: Chaucerian Romance (ENLI10290)
Course Outline
| School | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | English Literature |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/literatures-languages-cultures/english-literature/undergraduate/current/honours |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course introduces students to the romances of Geoffrey Chaucer, and explores the ways in which Chaucer appropriated and re-worked romance literary conventions to decidedly un-romantic ends. While Chaucer observes the narrative conventions of romance, he seems to be sceptical about its aesthetic values, and he interrogates its representations of gender and class relationships. The course examines the ways in which Chaucer turns romance against itself, using the romance form as a vehicle for questioning and critiquing inherited romance values. But in addition to exploring the literary self-consciousness of Chaucerian romance, and its critical engagement with courtly notions of class, gender, and sexuality, the course also considers Chaucer?s use of romance to explore broader philosophical questions such as the relationship of human free will to divine providence, and the compatibility of divine justice with human suffering. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | A MINIMUM of 4 college/university level literature courses at grade B or above (should include no more than one introductory level literature course). Related courses such as civilisation or other interdisciplinary classes, Freshman Year Seminars or composition/creative writing classes/workshops are not considered for admissions to this course.
Applicants should also note that, as with other popular courses, meeting the minimum does NOT guarantee admission. In making admissions decisions preference will be given to students who achieve above the minimum requirement with the typical visiting student admitted to this course having 4 literature classes at grade A.
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| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
| Students who have successfully completed the course will have acquired a knowledge of the principal works of Geoffrey Chaucer, and will have an understanding both of the literary conventions of medieval romance, and of how Chaucer adopted and adapted these conventions for his own aesthetic and intellectual ends. In addition, students will be able to place Chaucer?s romances in a range of extra-literary contexts ? for example, philosophical, political, and social ? and will have acquired an understanding of the ways in which Chaucer uses the romance form to reflect upon and engage with these broader cultural concerns. |
Assessment Information
One term essay of 2,500 words (25%);
one examination of two hours (75%)
Visiting Student Variant Assessment
One term essay of 2,500 words (25%);
one take home exam essay of 3,000 words (75%) |
Special Arrangements
| Numbers are limited and students taking degrees not involving English or Scottish Literature need the written approval of the Head of English Literature. |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr David Salter
Tel: (0131 6)50 3055
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Sheila Strathdee
Tel: (0131 6)50 3619
Email: |
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