The Medieval Beast
ENGL 310
Fall 2025
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
MDST 312 |
How did medieval writers think about the distinction between human and animal? This course will begin with the categories of soul and body, ruler and ruled, speech and noise--among others. We will also read about human-animal hybrids like werewolves and bird-men in order to think through some of these binaries. Texts will include bestiaries (encyclopedias of animals), treatises on hunting, beast-fables from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions, Marie de France's "Lais" and "Fables," Chrétien de Troyes's "Knight of the Lion," "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," and Chaucer's "Parliament of Fowls." |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA ENGL |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (English)(Medieval Studies Minor)(Medieval Studies) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Marie de France, Lais and Fables, The Romance of Tristan/ The Madness of Tristan; Chrétien de Troyes, Yvain or Knight of the Lion; Gerald of Wales, History and Topography of Ireland; Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Chaucer¿s Parliament of Fowls. Secondary literature on Animal Theory/ Animal Studies
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Examinations and Assignments:
Weekly reading responses, one class presentation, final research paper |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Contributes to fulfillment of ENGL major requirements: BL, LH1, Research Option, elective |
| Instructor(s): Nisse,Ruth Times: ..T.R.. 08:50AM-10:10AM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 5 | JR major: 5 | | |
| Seats Available: 15 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 5 | JR non-major: 0 | SO: 0 | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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