Course Catalogue

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This course deals with texts that have all been presented as 'subversive' of courtly and heroic ideals. The course will examine both the literary and social contexts of the set works, which will be merrily and mercilessly subjected to every sort of critical scrutiny, from gender studies to narratology to cultural anthropology, historicism and beyond.

20 1-hour seminars over both semesters as scheduled in MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into one of the SMLC Honours programmes,

and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes.

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Two x 2,000 word Essays (one in each semester) - 50% each

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the Essay, but extensions to the deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.

[No exceptions]

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ foster understanding of comic, parodic and subversive literary works produced in France during the 12th and 13th centuries;

■ challenge students to reflect critically on a range of methodological approaches in the field of medieval literary and historical/ cultural studies;

■ develop students' understanding of the responsible and appropriate use of translations and parallel-text editions as a means to understanding materials produced in older forms of the French language.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ assess the relationship between the texts and their social, historical and political contexts;

■ identify and discuss major themes and generic features in the prescribed material, especially with regard to questions of humour, parody, satire and other forms of subversion;

■ make responsible and appropriate use of translations and parallel-text editions as a means to understand older forms of the French language;

■ compare and contrast the set materials in appropriate and illuminating ways;

■ make competent use of secondary literature and achieve proper integration of such material into an original argument;

■ write clear, analytical and appropriately referenced essays on topics related to the set works and the ideas explored on the course.