Course Overview

Geoffrey Chaucer will introduce students to Chaucers literary works and current trends of Chaucerian studies. This course will not only focus on Chaucers major poems including _The Book of the Duchess_, _The House of Fame_, _The Parliament of Fowls_, _Troilus and Criseyde_, _The Legend of Good Women_, and _The Canterbury Tales_, but also explore how Chaucer interacted with a wide range of literary sources and traditions, from the Bible through the authors of classical antiquity and down to medieval writers from England and the Continent, especially France and Italy. We will examine Chaucers works within their social and cultural context by reading both medieval sources and recent literary criticism. Through discussing Chaucers language, concerns, writing strategies, and his critical heritage, we will approach Chaucers work historically, textually, and critically. Students are encouraged to shed new light on the studies of Chaucer from various theoretical perspectives such as animal theory, ecocriticism, gender, sexuality, race, affect, history of emotions, visual culture, spatiality, psychoanalysis, the life of things, etc. Together, we aim to contribute to the creative edge of research in this field. Though readings in this course are mainly in Middle English, no previous experience of Chaucer’s language is required. Students may learn how to read Chaucer from the following websites: Harvard’s Chaucer page “Teach Yourself to Read Chaucer’s English” (http://sites.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/teachslf/less-0.htm) or Harvard’s METRO site “Chaucer Platforms” (http://metro.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do).

Learning Achievement

Course Objectives: This graduate seminar aims to provide students with basic, necessary knowledge and skills to read, analyze, and interpret Chaucer’s major works. By the end of the semester, students should be able to 1. Read, discuss and write about Chaucer’s major works critically; 2. Analyze the literary and historical contexts within which Chaucer is writing; 3. Understand key issues and debates in Chaucerian studies; 4. Understand and read aloud Middle English properly.

Competence

Course prerequisites

Requirements: 1. Regular attendance and active participation are strongly required. 2. Class presentations on the texts and critical essays. 3. Six position papers. 4. A 12-page “Conference Paper” in draft and final form

Grading Philosophy

Course schedule

Course type

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

LIU, YA-SHIH

Other information

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