[Texts] [Goals & Objectives] [Grading] [Reading] [Writing] [Speaking] [Nuts and Bolts]

• Vinaver, ed. The Works of Sir Thomas Malory, 2nd ed. (ISBN 0-192-81217-3) ("Vin")
• Shepherd, ed. Morte Darthur. Norton Critical Edition. (ISBN 0-393-97464-2)  ("Cax")
• Walker Percy, Lancelot (ISBN 0-312-24307-3)
• White, The Once and Future King (Ace, 1987) ISBN 0-441-62740-4
• Field, The Life and Times of Sir Thomas Malory (ISBN 0-859-91566-2)

1. To study the figure of Sir Thomas Malory, both as author and construct, and to review the very vexing question of who he actually may have been.
2. To study the complex text called variously Le Morte Darthur and The Works of Sir Thomas Malory (neither of which were apparently names used by Malory), their composition, and their long and rich history and influence.
3. To view that complex text in light of its sources, analogues, and refashionings, or what a medieval scholar would have called translatio studii.
4. To contemplate the cultural place of the Arthurian tradition in the Anglo-European-American cultural and literary traditions and just how (and why) it got there.
5. To develop confidence in participating in scholarly conversations, both oral and written
6. To meet MA  Goals for Content Knowledge #s 1-7 and MA  Goals for Analysis, Writing, and Communication #1-4
7. To read, write, say, and learn more and to have more fun than any other ENGL or WRIT 600-level seminar does this semester (hey, medievalists have a reputation to uphold!)

Student Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, students will be able to

1. Identify, analyze, and discuss the similarities and differences between the Caxton and Winchester texts of Le Morte Darthur
2. Discuss and analyze the use of sources in Le Morte Darthur
3. Identify, analyze, and discuss the influence of Le Morte Darthur on later works of British and American literature and film
4. Identify, analyze, and critique scholarly arguments about Le Morte Darthur
5. Create, support, and present their own arguments about Le Morte Darthur, using appropriate scholarly resources
6. Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in presenting their research and critical analysis, both in oral and in written forms

Grading

Reading: You're responsible for preparing the week's reading in advance of class, and for making notes on the readings as well as annotating your books so that you can retrieve relevant passages in a timely manner during discussion. I’ve tried to keep the cost down to a reasonable amount by ordering the most inexpensive decent editions I could find. I’ll also put a  number of works on three-day reserve at Dacus Library for your reference and make essays available as .pdf files on the class website.

Writing

Since this is a seminar class, you will be expected to produce graduate quality writing--that is, polished, well-edited, precisely-documented academic prose. Since it is a graduate-level class, that means that the use of scholarly research--both in your reading and your writing--is required. I am happy to read drafts and discuss them with you, and can cheerfully recommend both the Winthrop Writing Center and Richard Lanham's Analyzing Prose to those of you who wish to improve your writing style. Please see the Assignments page for a description of the three major kinds of writing assignments you will do this semester. I have a Literary Analysis Rubric that I use to guide my grading; please feel to discuss it with me. Please remember that there's an updated version of the MLA style of documentation; you will be expected to use it!

Speaking

This is a seminar, not a lecture class; therefore, discussion among all of us is expected; think of it as a semester-long conversation. It's not meant to be a lecture class. The class will succeed or fail in large measure because of the quality of that conversation, in which I expect you to take an active part and for which I expect you to be well-prepared each week. (Evidence of preparation means not only showing that you have read the text and critical works for the week, but bringing your notes to class, taking notes in class, demonstrating that you've done secondary research, etc.) Each of you will be expected to share leadership for two classes during the semester; you and your partner will need to prepare questions and "provocations" of discussion that will occupy at least an hour's time of the 2.5 hour seminar. v

Goals: Goals for all courses in the Department of English, including those that meet requirements for NCATE certification, are described at http://www.winthrop.edu/english/goals.htm.  

Resources: The English Department’s home page is http://www.winthrop.edu/english.  Please consult the English Majors' Handbook on that site for additional help.

Turnitin.com: We will be handling all paper exchanges (submission, grading, return, online gradebook) through www.turnitin.com this semester. You will only need to give me a hardcopy of your final, major paper. I will give you the class ID and password information in class, since for security reasons I am not supposed to post it on the web.

Syllabus Change Policy: It may be necessary to update these policies during the course of the semester. The policies currently stated on my web page are the ones in effect; please note the "date revised" stamp to make sure you have the current version.

Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability and need classroom accommodations, please contact Gena Smith, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-2233, as soon as possible. Once you have your professor notification letter, please notify me so that I am aware of your accommodations well before you need them.

Safe Zones Statement: The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being – regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thoughts is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor’s expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Student Code of Conduct: As noted in the Student Conduct Code:  “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online Student Handbook (http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf).

Duplicate Submission of Papers: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance. This is to conform to the Student Code of Conduct, §V, which states: "Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to … presenting the same or substantially the same papers or projects in two or more courses without the explicit permission of the professors involved." (Student Code of Conduct §V: http://www.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/Judicial/judcode.htm  )

Class Listserv: The class will have a listserv set up by Information Management using your Winthrop Mailbox e-mail addresses. If you do not use your Winthrop e-mail, you must either forward your Mailbox mail to your preferred e-mail address or subscribe manually to the class list from your preferred e-mail address by going to http://www.winthrop.edu/acc/classlist.htm and following the instructions to log onto our class list. The listserv address is engl622001@class.winthrop.edu. You must subscribe by August 28, 2009.

Writing Center: The Writing Center provides support for all students in all Winthrop classes free of charge. It is located in 242 Bancroft (x-2138). Check its web page (http://www.winthrop.edu/wcenter) for current hours.

Things That Will Get You Sent to the Dungeon (or Worse): failure to prepare for class, failure to meet deadlines, failure to return reserve material in a timely fashion or to return the instructor’s personal and kindly book loans in a very timely manner (and in pristine condition), multitasking during class, interrupting class with your cell phone or beeper, and suchlike. Such things make your kindly instructor wonderly wroth and will submit you to the wallops of Sir Bruce sans Pité or quite conceivably worse.