EL40WH: ALL FOR ONE: THE POLITICS OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP IN MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN LITERATURE (2018-2019)

Last modified: 22 May 2019 17:07

Course Overview

This course focuses on the emphasis on sameness in conceptions of love and friendship within medieval and early modern literature, exploring its implications for the history of sexuality, and its impact on political ideology.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	4
Term	First Term	Credit Points	30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus	None.	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr Elizabeth Elliott

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
Either English (EL) (Passed) or Literature In A World Context (LW)
Programme Level 4

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

'One soul in two bodies': Michel de Montaigne's definition of friendship reflects a cultural preference for sameness that informs medieval and early modern literature. This course explores the significance of the privileging of sameness in conceptions of love and friendship, its implications for the history of sexuality, and its impact on political ideology. No prior knowledge of medieval language is necessary: modern English translations will be provided. Texts may include Amis and Amiloun; Chaucer, Troilus and Criseyde; Marlowe, Edward II; Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona; Elizabeth Cary's The Tragedy of Mariam.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: Essay (2,500 words) (35%), Essay (3,500 words) (45%), Blog contribution (10%) and Seminar participation (10%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

Students will receive prompt oral feedback in seminars, and will receive formal written feedback on essays within three weeks of submission.

Course Learning Outcomes

- an ability to reflect critically on conceptions and representations of love, desire, and friendship in medieval and early modern literature.
- an ability to demonstrate a critical understanding of key issues in modern theoretical approaches to sex and sexuality in their contributions to discussion, in their oral presentations, and in their written work.
- an ability to think and speak cogently about medieval and early modern writing, using appropriate techniques and terminology.