This course is intended to provide a survey introduction to literature of the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Insofar as the works we will be reading are locatable across particular moments of cultural production, efforts will be made to engage the material from a variety of critical methods, including but not limited to New Criticism and New Historicism. The reading load will be heavy, but the stories rich and full of life.

Required Reading
1. Heaney, S. Beowulf: An Illustrated Edition 0393330109
2. Armitage, S. Sir Gawain And The Green Knight 0393334155
3. Chaucer, G. The Canterbury Tales 0553210823
4. Shakespeare, W. Othello 0140714634
5. Alighieri, D. Inferno 0553213393
6. Course Packet

Required Work
1. Vigorous reading.
2. One research paper 5-7 pages.
3. Group presentations.
4. Final examination.