ENGL 325-01, Chaucer, Spring 2002

Abstract

Because The Canterbury Tales is one of the foundational texts of English literature, its study gives us an opportunity to explore the range of issues that English literature grapples with, the characteristic ways it does this, and, finally, what may be the special use of literary discourse (if there is such a thing). This exploration is the principal aim of this course, but, along the way, you will spend a good deal of time obtaining a working knowledge of medieval English language, society, culture, politics, and, of course, the particular pleasantries and problems of The Canterbury Tales.