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Florida International University Fall 2004 Course Syllabus ENL 4311: Chaucer
Class Meets: W 17:00 – 19:40 Dr. Joan Baker Office: DM 454C Phone/Voice Mail 348-3873 bakerj@fiu.edu Office Hours: W 3:00-4:00 R 1:00- 2:00 and by appt.
REQUIRED TEXTS: Benson, Larry, ed. The Canterbury Tales
paperback Course Packet to be purchased at University Copy Center COURSE DESCRIPTION: Few have read Chaucer without delight, especially in his perceptive and candid treatment of the human condition. The pilgrim storytellers Chaucer portrays in this fourteenth century work appear surprisingly familiar to us at the opening of the twenty-first century. Our objective is to consider, in particular, the manner in which The Canterbury Tales reflect and respond to changing social structures in fourteenth century England. Chaucer was both beneficiary and victim of these changes: he was connected by marriage to the court; by service, to the gentry; and through his occupation as controller of customs and clerk of works, to the merchants and bureaucrats of London. His erudition and wit enabled him to exploit the artistic possibilities of his ambiguous and often precarious social position. In part, Chaucer continues to be read and debated today because he expresses multiple points of view without committing to any one. Lectures and discussion will explore Chaucer’s attitude(s) about such topics as courtly love, love, language, marriage, religion, Jews, justice, social class, commerce, and a favorite literary preoccupation--women. A substantive course packet will also provide essential historical and cultural context. LANGUAGE: Because Chaucer was the first poet to produce major literary works in the vernacular, in the language of the common English people rather than the French of the aristocracy or the Latin of the learned clergy, we will read The Canterbury Tales as he wrote it-- in Middle English. Students should be reassured that Middle English is an early form of English, not a foreign language. Reading assignments are relatively light--this is a collection of short tales, not a Victorian novel--but will require patience and perseverance, especially at first. As the semester progresses, you will find yourself reading Middle English with increasing ease. We also read Chaucer’s work in Middle English rather than in modern translation in order to understand the origins and changing nature of language and to recognize, as did Chaucer himself, the power and limitations of language to express universal human themes. In another of his major works, Troilus and Criseyde, Chaucer reaches out to you, his readers some 600 years in the future: Ye knowe ek that in forme of speche is chaunge. Withinne a thousand yeer, and wordes tho That hadden pris, now wonder nyce and straunge Us thinketh hem, nd yet thei spake hem so, And spedde as wel in love as men now do. (II. 22-26) Translated: ‘You know that the form of speech will change within a thousand years, and words that were once apt, we now regard as quaint and strange; and yet they spoke them thus, and succeeded as well in love as men do now.” A note on reading notebook: Although information on historical and cultural context will be provided in the course packet and in lectures, I recommend that you keep some type of reading notebook. A notebook helps you develop the practice of recording your responses; this can include questions of any kind, puzzling or problematic passages, or particularly interesting passages or recurring themes that you notice as you read. In this way your reading notes provide stimulus for class discussion, allow me to address issues of interest to you, and serve as a valuable resource in developing ideas for your papers. A Note on Plagiarism: Perhaps Chaucer presumed that his works would be read for centuries because he himself translated or freely borrowed and adapted the works of ancient and even relatively contemporary Continental authors in a manner that we would now consider as plagiarism or violation of copyright. Not so, today. You must cite any secondary source you use in your papers: this includes paraphrased material. Submitting portions or full text of another’s work as your own will result in a failing grade in the course and a report to FIU administration. Consult FIU Student Handbook for procedures that will be enforced. COURSE OBJECTIVES/ REQUIREMENTS: Students will be expected to demonstrate a beginner’s reading ability in Middle English and a grasp of the most significant historical and cultural factors that have a bearing on the interpretation of Chaucer’s work. You will also be expected to articulate your response(s) to the readings in class discussions and in clearly written close readings [short analysis papers] and to sustain a coherent argument in a more substantive final essay. Grades will be based upon the following criteria: 10% Participation: as evidenced by attendance, preparation, participation, 30% 6 analysis [close reading] papers 1 – 2pp 30% 1 final essay of 6pp minimum 30% Midterm and Final Exam [comprehensive, from a list of questions]
SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS Note: Assignments are to be read by the date assigned. Analysis assignments and paper topic questions will be distributed in class. If you are unable to attend class due to the observance of a religious holiday, please inform me prior to the class meeting. Week 1 W 9/1 Introduction to Course & Medieval Period Introduction to Middle English
Week 2 W 9/8 Reading: General Prologue Course Packet: Material on 14th century & on history & rise of Middle English. Pay close attention to “Faux Amis” –keep a copy close at hand when reading Tales Week 3 W 9/15 Pilgrim Portrait Analysis due [1 page] Reading: Knight’s Tale Parts I and II Course Packet: Courtly Love/Chivalry
Week 4 W 9/22 Reading: Knight’s Tale Parts III and IV Course Packet: Boethius Bio, Summary of Boethian Philosophy, scan excerpts from Consolation of Philosophy
Week 5 W 9/29 Knight’s Tale Analysis due [1-2 pp] Reading: Miller’s Prologue& Tale;Reeve’s Prologue & Tale Course Packet: English Society; Fabliau; Status of Women
Week 6 W 10/6 Millers or Reeve’s Tale Analysis due [1-2 pp] Reading: Man of Law’s Intro, Prologue, Tale, Epilogue
Week 7 W 10/13 Midterm
Week 8 W 10/20 Reading: Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale Course Packet: Structure W of B’s Prologue Reading: Course Packet: Misogynist Sources
Week 9 W 10/27 Wife of Bath Analysis due [1-2pp] Reading: Clerk’s Prologue and Tale Course Packet: Sources Clerk’s Tale
Week 10 W 11/3 Clerk’s Tale Analysis due [1 – 2 pp] Reading: Merchant’s Prologue, Tale, Epilogue; Franklin’s Prologue and Tale Week 11 W 11/10 “Marriage Tales” Analysis due [ 2pp] Reading: Friar’s Tale and Summoner’s Tale Course Packet: Medieval Church, History Christianity
Week 12 W 11/17 Reading: Prioress’s Prologue and Tale; Pardoner’s Intro, Prologue and Tale Course Packet: Allegory and Typology; Women’s Spirituality, Cult of BVM, Eucharist; History of AntiSemitism
Week 13 W 11/24 Reading Parliament of Fowls [Course Packet]
Week 14 W 12/1 Final Essay due [ 6pp ] Reading: Nun’s Priest’s Tale Course Packet: 1381 Rebellion
Week 15 W 12/8 Course Review
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