ENG32240 Chaucer in Context

Academic Year 2020/2021

Geoffrey Chaucer is often described as the father of English literature. Arguably, he is the finest narrative poet to write in the English language. His many stories explore the vagaries of love, the variety of the human condition, and the wonder of the supernatural. From the loquacious Wife of Bath to a talking eagle made entirely of gold, Chaucer's diverse cast of characters are often themselves expert storytellers. Writing in the last quarter of the fourteenth century, this shrewd Londoner crafted new stories from old ones, which explored the mythic ground of the human form of life. Despite their age, Chaucer's stories remain the funniest in the canon of English literature. They are also the wisest.

In this module, students will interrogate these assertions, among others, through consideration of the social, cultural and literary contexts of the period. In the course of the module, students will be encouraged to deepen their understanding of the language and literature of the period and to read the texts not just as byproducts of their time, but as cultural interstices which influence and are influenced by the political, cultural and social events of the period.

The module will focus on the ten fragments of The Canterbury Tales. Each seminar will consider one or more tale from each fragment. Texts will be studied in the original Middle English.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module the student will be able to: demonstrate a critical understanding of Chaucer and literature of the period; identify and engage in key critical and theoretical debates; appreciate the skills involved in translation, adaptation, rewriting a particular form; deliver research material in structured written presentation; engage in class discussion and debates on relevant topics.

Indicative Module Content:

Some key topics of the module include:

Chaucer's biography

The historical, social, and literary contexts of Chaucer's poetry

The critical function of form and style

The themes of gentilesse, auctoritee, sentence and solaas, ernest and game

Intertextuality and metatextuality

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20

Specified Learning Activities

80

Autonomous Student Learning

120

Total

220

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Classes will take the form of two-hour seminars, which will consist of a lecture followed by open discussion. Some classes will include set tasks, debates, and student presentations. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Final essay of 4000 words. Unspecified n/a Graded Yes

70

Portfolio: This assessment requires students to write a five-paragraph essay based on study of the first three fragments of The Canterbury Tales. Unspecified n/a Graded No

30


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual consultations will be available for feedback on the portfolio assessment.