Chaucer in Context

Dozent/in:

Caroline Limpert

Angaben:

Seminar, 2 SWS, ECTS: 6, Zentrum für Mittelalterstudien

Termine:

Einzeltermin am 4.11.2016, Einzeltermin am 25.11.2016, 14:00 - 19:00, U9/01.11
Einzeltermin am 26.11.2016, 10:00 - 13:30, 14:30 - 18:00, U9/01.11
Einzeltermin am 27.11.2016, 10:00 - 14:00, U9/01.11

Voraussetzungen / Organisatorisches:

1. Modules:
This seminar is eligible for all degree programmes (BA, MA, Lehramt, etc.) in English linguistics (Englische Sprachwissenschaft) which require 1 to 6 ECTS-credits.

2. Registration and Deregistration:

Registration via FlexNow from 26 September 2016, 10:00h, to 20 October 2016, 23:59h.
Deregistration via FlexNow from from 26 September 2016, 10:00h, to 30 October 2016, 23:59h.

Für Studienortwechsler, Erasmusstudenten sowie Studierende, die den Leistungsnachweis zur baldigen Prüfungsanmeldung benötigen, werden im begrenzten Umfang Plätze freigehalten. Bei Überbuchung des Seminars fällt die Entscheidung über die Teilnahme in Rücksprache mit der Dozentin.

3. Requirements for successful completion of the course:
1 ECTS: regular active participation in class
2 ECTS: regular active participation in class + short oral presentation
4 ECTS: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + short assignment of c. 2000 words
5 ECTS MA Interdisziplinäre Mittelalterstudien/Medieval Studies Intensivierungsmodul II: regular active participation in class + oral examination (30 minutes)
5 ECTS in other programmes or modules: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + assignment of c. 3000 words
6 ECTS: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + seminar paper of c. 4000 words
6 ECTS BA Interdisziplinäre Mittelalterstudien/Medieval Studies Aufbaumodul: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + seminar paper of 3000-4000 words
6 ECTS MA Interdisziplinäre Mittelalterstudien/Medieval Studies: Mastermodul I: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + seminar paper of 3500-4500 words
6 ECTS in other programmes or modules: regular active participation in class + oral presentation + seminar paper of c. 4000 words

4. Language of instruction:
English

Bitte beachten Sie die verschiedenen Anmeldemöglichkeiten in FlexNow: Für 6 ECTS-Punkte melden Sie sich bitte ausschließlich für das Seminar an ("Chaucer in Context (Seminar)"). Für 2 oder 4 ECTS-Punkte melden Sie sich bitte ausschließlich für die Übung an ("Chaucer in Context (Übung)").

Inhalt:

Geoffrey Chaucer was undoubtedly one of the most brilliant and popular authors of the English Middle Ages and he is to this day read, adapted and researched with enthusiasm all around the world. His works are benchmarks of medieval English literature and language alike. As such they provide perfect material to familiarise oneself with the Middle English language as well as the circumstances of literary production in 14th century England.

In the seminar, we will thus focus on investigating Chaucer s work within the wider context of his time. To achieve this, we will work with selected passages from Chaucer s famous Canterbury Tales and Troilus and Cryseide and approach questions like: What is typical for Chaucerian English? How does it influence the development of the language? Which authorities does Chaucer rely on and how is he himself received in later periods? What do the texts tell about the late medieval world view? Do the texts give information on everyday life in Chaucer s time? And why is reading Chaucer still fun today?

With the help of the background knowledge we acquire in the course, we are then able to read, analyse and translate the original texts much more adequately. Also, we will try to link all the information and piece together an overall picture of Geoffrey Chaucer and his surroundings that will be useful for any further occupation with his work and that of his contemporaries.

A basic familiarity with Middle English is helpful but not required to attend the seminar.
The topics for presentations will be distributed in the first meeting.

Empfohlene Literatur:

Information on recommended and required reading will be given in the first meeting.