ENG 336-01

Introduction to Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales

Spring 2003

Mr. Stallcup

Course Information and Expectations

Instructor	Stephen Stallcup 127 McIver Bldg. (336) 334-4694 (*shared extension with Prof. McDonald) Office hours: TR 1:15-2:15 sbstallc@uncg.edu
Time	TR 2-3:15 p.m.
Location	Curry 309
Description and Objectives	This course provides an in-depth study of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales through the lens of modern literary critical theory. This course is designed for medievalists and non-medievalists alike and assumes only a willingness to be immersed in fourteenth-century England for the semester. We will read the Tales in the original Middle English. By the end of this course, participants will be able to: (1) Read texts written in Middle English; (2) Relate basic facts of Chaucer’s life and literary career and major cultural and historical events of fourteenth-century England; (3) Be familiar with basic categories of medieval literary works; (4) Be familiar with basic concepts of medieval thought; (5) Analyze and evaluate a text written in Middle English
Required texts	The Canterbury Tales, ed. Larry Benson
	Helen Cooper
Evaluation	Essay 1 (20%) Essay 2 (25%) Blackboard discussion (5%) Exercises (5%) Two debates (20% @ 10% each) Midterm Exam (10%) Final Exam (15%)
Attendance	Regular and prompt attendance is required of all students. Attendance will be taken at the discretion of the instructor. Students who miss more than six classes (20% of total) for whatever reason will be dropped from the course. Students dropped from the course after March 19 will receive a WF.
Preparation	Each day’s reading assignment is found on the course syllabus. Students should come to class having read the assigned text(s) and be prepared for discussion. Students must bring the required texts to class every day. Quizzes may be given at the instructor’s discretion.
Writing requirement	Students must write two 4-5 page papers. Due dates and times are on the syllabus. Paper topics and format instructions will be posted on the course website at least one week before the due date. Late papers will be accepted only at the instructor’s discretion and (if accepted) may be penalized. Students should feel free to schedule conferences with the instructor to discuss their papers. Students may also avail themselves of the services of the Writing Center, located in 101 McIver Bldg.
Homework exercises	Two exercises in Middle English will be posted on the Blackboard website. Students should print them and submit on or before the due date. There will be one assignment for each half of the course.
Blackboard discussion	Each student will participate in a twice weekly discussion forum on the Blackboard course website. Students should submit two or three reflective comments/questions to their discussion group by noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Comments are not due for debaters or on days where there is an exam or homework assignment due (1/30, 3/6, 4/8)
Debates	On appointed class days, four students (in teams of two) will engage in a 10-minute debate on an assigned topic. Debaters will be evaluated on preparation, presentation, and persuasiveness. Each student will participate in two debates.
Policies	Food, drink, pets, etc. are not permitted in the classroom. Mobile phones must be switched off before class beings. Hats may be worn for religious reasons only.
Academic integrity	UNCG’s policies on academic integrity (in the Student Handbook, pp. 213ff) will be rigorously enforced. Students should familiarize themselves especially with UNCG’s definitions of and penalties for cheating and plagiarism. In this course, the prescribed penalty of “F” will equal a zero (0). See http://saf.dept.uncg.edu/studiscp/Honor.html.
Disability policy	In order to receive special accommodation because of a legitimate physical or learning disability, affected students must register with the Office of Disability Services (101 Park Bldg.) as soon as possible. The instructor will be happy to work out any necessary arrangements provided he is notified in a timely manner.
Crisis policy	Students having difficulty attending class or completing coursework because of personal or other reasons should contact the instructor immediately to work out a solution.
Website	All course information (and many handouts) will be posted on the Blackboard course website: http://blackboard.uncg.edu. Paper topics will be posted there as well. Students should consult the website regularly for any announcements or changes to the syllabus. Grades will also be available via Blackboard.

Syllabus

NB: You should read the corresponding chapters in Cooper for each tale.

(D) = Debate

Date	*Primary readings
T 1/14	Introduction Syllabus and Course Expectations Who was Chaucer?
R 1/16	Introduction to Middle English
T 1/21	General Prologue (1-410)
R 1/23	General Prologue (411-858) (D)
T 1/28	Knight’s Tale (Part 1)
R 1/30	Knight’s Tale (Part 2) (D) Exercise 1 due in class
T 2/4	Knight’s Tale (Part 3) (D)
R 2/6	Knight’s Tale (Part 4) (D)
T 2/11	Miller’s Prologue and Tale (D)
R 2/13	Reeve’s Prologue and Tale (D)
T 2/18	Shipman’s Tale (D)
R 2/20	Wife of Bath’s Prologue (1-451)
T 2/25	Wife of Bath’s Prologue (452-856) (D)
R 2/27	Wife of Bath’s Tale (D)
M 3/3	Paper 1 due by 5 p.m.
T 3/4	Cook’s Tale and Review
R 3/6	Midterm Exam
3/10-14	Spring Break (no classes)
T 3/18	Physician’s Tale
R 3/20	Friar’s Tale (D)
T 3/25	Summoner’s Tale (D)
R 3/27	Clerk’s Prologue and Tale (1-609)
T 4/1	Clerk’s Tale (610-1212g) (D)
R 4/3	Merchant’s Prologue and Tale (1213-1688)
T 4/8	Merchant’s Tale (1689-2418) (D) Exercise 2 due in class
R 4/10	Franklin’s Prologue and Tale (709-1081)
T 4/15	Franklin’s Tale (1082-1624) (D)
R 4/17	Prioress’s Prologue and Tale (D)
T 4/22	Canon’s Yeoman’s Prologue and Tale (554-971)
R 4/24	Canon’s Yeoman’s Tale (972-1481) (D)
T 4/29	Manciple’s Prologue and Tale (D)
R 5/1	Retraction (D)
M 5/5	Paper 2 due by 5 p.m.
T 5/13	Final Exam (3:30-6:30 p.m.)