CLASS SCHEDULE:
CLASS SCHEDULE:
March 11, 2021: First Day of Class: Welcome and Introduction.
Let us discuss specifically what 5 of the most prevalent topics have always been for people throughout time. These will then be dealt with throughout the class looking at them through a variety of lenses
We read the introductory text by Emily Amt and Classen: Historical framework, social structure, economic conditions
Alternatively, read this intro.
March 16: Continuation with Amt/Classen: literature, religion, education, Jewish-Christian relations
LOVE, MARRIAGE
March 18: Marie de France: sorry, we were a bit late.
March 23: Marie de France: Bisclavret (The Werewolf), Equitan, The Two Lovers - We'll discuss only Bisclavret and Eliduc, and I'll give you assignments later this week
March 25: Marie de France: The Two Lovers, Eliduc
March 26-29: assignments in tophat: those address the lai "Guigemar" or "Gugemar"
March 30: Father-Son Conflict, Loyalty, Honor, Death
The Song of Hildebrand (55-56)
April 1: Cont. with Hildebrandslied
April 3: 1st paper, due at 6 p.m.
April 06: 1st exam: multiple choice questions reg. the historical time frame, Marie de France, Hildebrandslied, all on tophat
Also, on that day, after the exam: final reflections on Hildebrand, cont.,
April 08: We begin with our preparations for the portfolio. Please go to the library (online) and select a single-authored book on some of the texts we have or will discuss with you to class today. Try to find a monograph of recent vintage (not prior to 1970, or so). We'll read for today: Nibelungenlied:1-15 (numbers all refer to the chapters, so chapters 1-15, etc.)
April 13: Nibelungenlied: 16-22
April 15: Nibelungenlied 23-30
April 20: Nibelungenlied 31-39
April 22: Conclusion, and "The Tumbler", Our Lady's Tumbler. As background, if you wish, see, for instance, Le Thoronet (photos); you must watch Le Thoronet (video I, with speaker) (video II, only music in the background) (video III, with Gregorian chant). Read this article: A. Classen, "The Human Quest for Happiness and Meaning" in Athens Journal of Humanities and Meaning, you'll need it for the assignment.
April 26: 2nd essay due, 6 p.m.
SPIRITUALITY, IDENTITY
April 27: The Tumbler; then Boethius, Introduction to Boethius. Book I and up to the end of Book II
April 29: Boethius, III
QUEST FOR HAPPINESS
May 04: 2nd exam; Last day of class and final reflections
Portfolio is due on May 8, 3 p.m.
Students are responsible for checking on their grades posted on D2L. After 10 school days no further review is possible.
Subject to Change Statement
Information contained in the course syllabus, other than the grade and absence policy, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.
Final Grade Review: If there might be a problem with your grade, you can ask me for a review until May 10, 12 p.m. Beyond that, there will not be any opportunity to revisit your grade.