Aims

At the end of the course, students should be able to show insight into the distinctive features of major literary movements and genres. They should be able to situate them in their socio-cultural and historical contexts. Students will become familiar with important literary figures and canonical works of the historical period that is studied. They will be expected to know how to read and interpret some key texts.

Main themes

This course offers a chronological and critical survey of the literature of the given language area from the Middle Ages to the 17th and 18th centuries. It examines the different movements and genres developed during these periods and places them in their socio-cultural contexts. Excerpts (compulsory reading) are used as illustrations.

Content and teaching methods

Lectures making ample use of audiovisual material help the students acquire insight into English literary texts and tendencies of the Older Period. The course traces the development of English literature from 600 to 1750 in the context of major historical developments in Britain, Ireland, and the Continent. Through a combination of "sampling" and "digging," the course offers both a panoramic view and, in the discussion of short extracts, more in-depth analysis of the major authors of this period: Cædmon, the Beowulf- and Gawain-authors, Chaucer, Spenser, Shakespeare, Donne, Milton, Swift, and Pope.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Assessment: oral or written exam.
Teaching method: formal lectures.

Course materials: The Norton Anthology of English Literature I.
Audio-visual materials will be used to illustrate the course.

Other credits in programs