CLS2920 - Authority, death and desire: Medieval to renaissance literature

Leader(s): Millicent Vladiv-Glover

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

The unit will explore the transition from medieval culture to modernity through the study of European and Asian literary texts from the 13th - early 17th century. How is authority articulated? What is the prevailing social attitude to death? What is medieval desire or sexuality as opposed to modern desire/sexuality? These questions will be asked and answered using basic concepts of Critical Theory. The paradigmatic change from pre-modern to modern culture will be illuminated through a cross-cultural perspective, encompassing European and Asian literary works. Texts studied are in English translation but language students may consult originals in their disciplines.

Objectives

On completion of the unit, students will be able to:

1. define the concepts of authority, death and desire in the context of the prescribed medieval and Renaissance texts;

2. critically discuss the concepts of authority, death and desire in the context of the prescribed medieval and Renaissance texts;

3. analyse and critique a cultural text in the context of defined critical concepts;

4. construct a critical argument in writing, based on an analysis of a cultural text in the context of defined critical concepts.

5. For students taking CLS3920, there is an additional objective of developing more sophisticated analytical skills than students at second year level, using multiple (at least two) critical texts to model any one of the theoretical concepts of the course and being able to express this skill in oral presentation and writing.

Assessment

Essay 2,500 words: 40%, Tutorial Paper 1,000 words: 20%, End-of-Semester Test 1 hour: 30%, Tutorial participation 1 hour: 5%.

Contact hours

One one-hour lecture and one one-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

Any first year Arts subject.

Prohibitions

CLS3920