English 338 - Indiana State University

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Syllabus English 338: Literature and Life—the Legend of King Arthur Fall 2009 T-R 12:30-1:45, Stalker Hall 301 I. Contact Information Professor: Harriet Hudson Phone: office: 237-2784, home 232-4568 Office: Stalker 200 E-mail: hhudson@isugw.indstate.edu Office hours: T-R 11:30-12:15 and by appointment II. Required Texts Marion Zimmer Bradley. The Mists of Avalon. Del Ray Books, Ballantine: New York, 1982. Mark Twain. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. Signet Classics, Penguin: New York, 2004 T.H. White. The Once and Future King. Ace: New York, 1996. III. Course Description The story of King Arthur is one of the European Middle Ages’ great contributions to world literature and culture. Like the plays of Shakespeare or the art of Michelangelo, it continues to speak to people of all times and places. It contains a great tragic love story—always a good subject (Lancelot and Guinevere)—and a tragic friendship (Lancelot and Arthur). But these more private relationships assume significance because the characters are public people—kings and queens and nobles. One of the most enduring features of the Arthurian legend is the Round Table, a symbol of the civic ideals of knighthood and the way Arthur governs his realm. The fall of the Round Table and the civilization that Arthur has built at Camelot raises questions about loyalty, love, friendship, marriage, raising children, public and private responsibility, leadership, what constitutes a good government, when war is justified, what it means to be civilized, the relationship of church and state, determinism (fate) and free will, and many more issues that concern us today. There are many versions of the Arthurian story. The greatest English version was written by Thomas Malory in the fifteenth century, as the Middle Ages came to a tumultuous close. Most later treatments of the legend are based on his Morte D’Arthur (The Death of Arthur). We will begin by reading brief selections from this lengthy work that deal with Arthur’s birth and claim to the throne, and his death and the destruction of the Round Table. Then, starting with the version closest to Malory’s retelling, we will read T.H. White’s The Once and Future King. This was first published in 1938 as the rise of Fascism and the onset of World War II threatened the values of western civilization that Arthur’s legend exemplifies. Next we will read Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Mists of Avalon, published in 1982. This presents the story from the perspective of the legend’s female characters and the culture of the Celts that gave birth to the Arthurian legend in the 6 th century. It reflects the feminism and multi-culturalism of the late 20 th century. Last we will read Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, published 1889, where the Arthurian setting is a vehicle for exploring such 19 th century American concerns as slavery, democracy, the industrial revolution, and the nature of progress. Through
these different treatments of the legend we will examine the enduring questions it raises about, modern authors’ uses of historical legend to explore the issues confronting their own times, and the insights their different treatments of it provide into our own lives, public and private. IV. Learning Objectives This course fulfills a Foundational Studies requirement for a course in Literary Studies. It is designed to meet the following goals and objectives which are included here to help you better understand what I expect you to learn from the class. Program Goals: The Foundational Studies program is designed so that ISU graduates can analyze problems, think critically and creatively, integrate a variety of approaches to gain knowledge, recognize the ethical, social, and cultural implications of issues, and communicate professionally, persuasively and effectively. Program Objectives—Students will: • Locate, critically read, and evaluate information to solve problems; • Critically evaluate the ideas of others; • Apply knowledge and skills within and across the fundamental ways of knowing (natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, arts and humanities, mathematics and history); • Demonstrate an appreciation of human expression through literature and fine and performing arts; • Demonstrate the skills for effective citizenship and stewardship; • Demonstrate an understanding of diverse cultures within and across societies; • Demonstrate the skills to place their current and local experience in a global, cultural, and historical context; • Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical implications of decisions and actions • Apply principles of physical and emotional health to wellness; • Express themselves effectively, professionally, and persuasively both orally and in writing. Literary Studies Goals—Students will: • Demonstrate aesthetic responsiveness and interpretive ability. • Connect writings to their literary, cultural, and historical contexts. • Employ literature to analyze issues and answer questions relating to human experience, systems, and the physical environment. • Reflect on themselves as products of and participants in traditions of literature and ideas. Course Goals (This is in addition to the others; it’s my goal for you in this course) • Students will know the history, plot, and main characters of the Arthurian legend V. Class Policies You are expected to attend class, prepare by keeping up with reading assignments, participate in class discussions, and hand in assignments on time. Attendance: I take attendance regularly. If you miss more than 3 classes I may lower your final grade by a letter for each additional absence. If you know you will
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English 338 - Indiana State University

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