English 430 calendar

ENGL 430: Chaucer
Dr. Debora B. Schwartz

Calendar of Assignments, Spring 2015
(Click HERE for Oral Presentation Schedule)

Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Unless otherwise noted, page numbers refer to the required textbook for this class, the Penguin Classics Middle English edition of The Canterbury Tales edited by Jill Mann (abbreviated as "ME CT"). For the convenience of students who have a copy of the recommended hardback edition, The Riverside Chaucer (or its repackaged version, The Bedford Chaucer), pagination in that edition is included in [square brackets] after the abbreviation "RC." "CT Trans" = the Penguin Classics Canterbury Tales, tr. Nevill Coghill (a required textbook for this class).

NOTE 1: some required readings are accessed electronically. Electronically accessed readings may be in one of the following forms:

.PDF files placed on Electronic Reserve in PolyLearn. To access PolyLearn, log in at MyCalpoly, go to "My Classes" and select "ENGL 430" from the classes you are taking. Click on the link in the Electronic Reserves section to download, read and/or print the file using Acrobat Reader.
"Online readings" are simple .html files residing on my website. To access online readings, simply click on the link.

All assigned readings, including electronically accessed ones, should be completed prior to the class meeting for which they are assigned. PRINT THEM OUT, put them in a course binder, and be sure to BRING THEM WITH YOU TO CLASS.

NOTE 2: This calendar is subject to change. You are advised to consult it on-line and/or to print out only one day's or week's assignment at a time. Please remember that the on-line calendar, not any print-out you make, is authoritative. Check weekly to ensure you are completing the correct assignment, as instructions may change or be added.

NOTE 3: I do not create Study Guides for 400-level seminars, but if I use a study guide when teaching a given reading in another class, I have linked it to our Calendar of Assignments. Click on the link on the title of the reading to access these online study guides.

Week 1 (March 31 - April 2)

Topic and Readings

Day 1
UNIVERSITY HOLIDAY -- NO CLASS

Day 2

Introduction to ENGL 430: course organization, requirements and expectations.

Overview of Readings (you will sign-up for research topics next week).

Background Lecture: manuscript culture; medieval literature and translatio.; Chaucer biography.

Required Readings:
1) Read through class homepage and this calendar of assignments.

2) Contexts: online reading "Translatio studii et imperii". NOTE: a text-only version of this online reading is available on e-reserve in Polylearn.

3) Chaucer Background Readings (pages from the RC are on e-reserve in Polylearn):

On Chaucer's Life and Literary Canon: RC xv-xxix (.PDF file, 15 pp.) See also shorter biographical intro, CT TRANS xi-xvii; the Norton Anthology headnote to Chaucer, also on e-reserve in Polylearn; and the Chronology in ME CT, xii-xvi).

For an indication of what background information is most important, you may find it useful to consult the first section of the ENGL 203 study guide for the General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales.
4) Lyric Poems in the Riverside Chaucer: .PDF file, 2 pp., on e-reserve in Polylearn

"Chaucers Wordes unto Adam, His owne Scriveyn" (RC 650);

"Truth" (RC 653);

"Gentilesse" (RC 654);

"The Complaint of Chaucer to His Purse" (RC 656).

Be sure to read the footnotes and consult the handouts; also feel free to consult translations of the poems. If you used the Portable Chaucer in your ENGL 203 class, they are found pp. 602-4 and 607-8. These translations are on e-reserve in Polylearn in two separate .PDF files totalling 3 pp. You may also find it useful to consult the Engl 330/512 study guide for the poems "Truth" and "Gentilesse".
Also Recommended (particularly if you have not yet taken ENGL 203 or if your memories of it are dim!)

On language and versification: ME CT liii-lx; also skim e-reserve readings "Language and Versification Riverside Chaucer Pt. 1" and "Pt. 2" [RC xxvi-xxxviii, xlii-xlv] and handout "Tips for Reading and Pronouncing Chaucer's English." NOTE: You need not worry about all the details found in these readings, but you should be aware of them and consult them as needed.

W. F. Bolton, "The Conditions of Literary Composition in Medieval England" (on e-reserve in Polylearn; .PDF file, 15 pp.)

Click link for a STUDY GUIDE to the Bolton reading. The issues covered in the Bolton reading should be familiar to you from your prior study of medieval literature (e.g. ENGL 203); use Bolton to refresh your memory about some of the ways in which medieval literature differs from the literature of later periods.

Because sign-ups for Oral Presentations begin this week, you are advised to read through the Oral Presentation Guidelines and have a look at the Schedule of Oral Presentations. Think about dates/topics you are most interested in (including some alternates); sign-ups will begin in class next week.

NOTE: you are responsible for the information found in these readings, although we will not spend a lot of time going over them at our next class meeting.

Week 2 (April 7 - 9)

Topic and Readings

Day 1 The General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales

Read though translation of the whole General Prologue (CT 3-26). You may also find it helpful to consult the ENGL 203 study guide for the General Prologue or the Engl 330/512 study guides on the Opening of the General Prologue and on Estates Satire and the Pilgrim Portraits.

Background reading: Introduction to the Canterbury Tales and to Fragment 1, pp. 3-9.

On the textual tradition of the Canterbury Tales: 1118-22.

Text: in the Riverside Chaucer, read carefully GP 1-42 (=line numbers, found at pp. 23-4) and then read through the whole General Prologue (23-36).

Background: Estates Satire (online reading; see also Riverside 23-36); opening explanatory note, 795-8; and initial note on each pilgrim, 800-826.

map of the Pilgrimage route and chart of the Four Humours (useful details for interpreting Pilgrim portraits), on e-reserve in the Library Resources section of Blackboard. (The same map can be accessed through the Harvard Chaucer Pages website; on the four humours, see also Michael Hanley's webpage.)

Day 2 General Prologue, continued.

Reread translation of the whole General Prologue (CT 3-26). You may also find it helpful to consult the ENGL 203 study guide for the General Prologue or the Engl 330/512 study guides on the Opening of the General Prologue and on Estates Satire and the Pilgrim Portraits.

Text: in the Riverside Chaucer, read slowly and through the whole General Prologue (23-36).

Background: Estates Satire (online reading; see also Riverside 23-36); opening explanatory note, 795-8; and initial note on each pilgrim, 800-826.

map of the Pilgrimage route and chart of the Four Humours (useful details for interpreting Pilgrim portraits), on e-reserve in the Library Resources section of Blackboard. (The same map can be accessed through the Harvard Chaucer Pages website; on the four humours, see also Michael Hanley's webpage.)

WARNING: TOPICS ARE ACCURATE BUT PAGES OF READINGS AFTER WEEK 3 HAVE NOT BEEN UPDATED FOR NEW REQUIRED TEXTBOOK.

Week 3 (April 14 - 16)

Topic and Readings

Day 1 The Knight's Tale.

Read through whole translation, CT 26-86 or PC 76-123.

Text: in the Riverside Chaucer, read full text of the Knight's Tale, 37-66.

Context: Courtly Love (online reading); 6-7; opening explanatory note to the Knight's Tale, 826-828, and opening notes to each of parts 1-4, pp. 828, 831, 834, 838.

Background: Helen Cooper on the Structure of the Knight's Tale, from the Oxford Guides to Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales, pp. 73-6. Cooper's book is a recommended text for ENGL 430, available for purchase at El Corral; it is on reserve for ENGL 430 under the call number PR1874 .C64 1996. Required reading is on e-reserve in the Library Resources section of Blackboard.

Presentation(s):

Day 2
The Miller's Tale; the unity of Fragment 1

Read though translation of the whole Miller's Prologue and Tale (CT 86-108). You may also find it helpful to consult the linked study guide.

Text: 66-77.

Background: 7-8; opening explanatory notes to the prologue (841) and tale (842-3); review 1118-22 (on the textual tradition of the Canterbury Tales)

translations of the Reeve's Prologue and Tale and the Cook's Tale (CT Trans. 144-59).

Text RC 77-86.

Background: Introduction to The Reeve's Tale and to The Cook's Tale, 8-9; opening explanatory notes to The Reeve's Tale, 849; to The Cook's Prologue, 852; and to The Cook's Tale, 853.

Presentation(s):

The Miller's Tale: Rebecca Liberatore

The Reeve's Tale: Mary Iwai

Week 4 (April 21 - 23)
Presentation(s):

Day 1 The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale

Read though translation of the Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale (CT 258-92). You may also find it helpful to consult the ENGL 203 or Engl 330/512 study guide for the Wife of Bath.

Text: 105-122; review lyric poem "Gentilesse," 654 (translation as "Nobility" on e-reserve in the Library Resources section of Blackboard).

Background: Introduction to Fragment III and to the Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale, 10-11; opening Explanatory Notes to Fragment III (863-4); to the Wife of Bath's Prologue, 864-5; and to the Wife of Bath's Tale, 872-3.

Review translatio and Courtly Love (online readings).

Presentation(s): Nicole Moore

Day 2
The Clerk's Tale.

Translation of The Clerk's Prologue and Tale (CT 320-56).

Text: 137-53.

Background: introduction to Fragment IV and to the Clerk's Tale, 12-3; opening notes to fragment IV, 879, and to CL T, 880-81.

Kittredge's article on the "Marriage Group" (online reading).

Presentation(s): Joel Perkins

Week 5 (April 28 - 30)

Topic and Readings

Day 1 The Merchant's Tale

Translation of the Merchant's Prologue, Tale and Epilogue (CT 356-88).

Merchant's Tale text: 153-68.

Background: Introduction to the Merchant's Tale, 13; opening notes to the Merchant's Prologue and to the Merchant's Tale, 884-5.

Review Kittredge's article on the "Marriage Group" (online reading).

Presentation(s): Maddie Baker

Day 2 The Franklin's Tale

Translation of the Words of the Franklin to the Squire and the Franklin's Prologue and Tale (CT 407-433). You may also find it helpful to consult the Engl 330/512 study guide for the Franklin's Tale.

Text: 177-189. Review lyric poem "Truth," 653 (translation PC 603-4, or see text of translation on e-reserve)

Background: Introduction to Fragment V and to the Franklin's Tale, 13-4; opening notes to Fragment V, 890; and to the Franklin's Prologue and Tale, 895-6.

Review Kittredge's article on the "Marriage Group" (online reading).

Review Courtly Love (online reading).

Presentation(s): Maira Argenbright

Week 6 (May 5 - 7)

Topic and Readings

Day 1 MIDTERM EXAM 1 (remember to bring large-format Exam Book for essay).

Day 2 Fragment VII begins: The Shipman's Tale

Translation of The Shipman's Tale (CT 157-68).

Shipman's Tale text: 203-208. Pay particular attention to lines 1-23 and 112-86 (evidence that this tale was originally intended for the WB).

Background: Introduction to Fragment VII (important, as we will be considering the unity of fragment VII for the next two and a half weeks) and introduction to the Shipman's Tale, 15-16; opening notes to Fragment VII and to the Shipman's Tale, 910-11.

NOTE: yet another fabliau . . . why read the Shipman's Tale? While it is not the strongest Chaucerian fabliau, the Shipman's Tale suggests how Chaucer's concept of the Canterbury Tales collection evolved over time. There is evidence that it was originally intended for a female narrator, presumably the Wife of Bath, but that Chaucer ultimately decided to give Alison a different tale which would better illuminate her character and concerns. Look for linguistic evidence of gender of the original narrator and note connections and differences (verbal, thematic or otherwise) between the Shipman's Tale and the Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale.
Presentation(s): Jackie Morris

Paper Prospectus due as an email attachment no later than midnight on Sunday, May 10

Week 7 (May 12 - 14)

Topic and Readings

Day 1 Fragment VII continues: The Prioress's Prologue and Tale; excursus into Fragment VIII: The Second Nun's Prologue and Tale.
Discussion Topics: new genres: the Miracle of the Virgin and Hagiography; rethinking the "Marriage Group": the evidence of the "Bradshaw Shift."

Translation of the Words of the Host to the Shipman and the Prioress (CT 157-69); of the Prioress's Prologue and Tale (CT 169-76) and of the Second Nun's Prologue and Tale (CT 433-49).

Texts: 209-12 (the Prioress's Prologue and Tale) and 262-9 (the Second Nun's Prologue and Tale).

Background: introductions to Fragments VII (review) and VIII, 15 and 19; introductions to the Prioress's Tale, 16, and to the Second Nun's Prologue and Tale, 19; opening notes to fragments VII, 910 (review) and VIII, 941-2; opening notes to the Prioress's Prologue and Tale, 913-4, and to the Second Nun's Prologue and Tale, 942-3.

Implications of the "Bradshaw Shift" (review pp. 5 and 910) for our understanding of Kittredge's notion of the "Marriage Group."

Presentation(s): 1) Second Nun: Jacqueleen Luse
2) Prioress: Micaela Cholico

Day 2 As needed: wrap-up discussion of Second Nun's Tale and Prioress's Tale

Fragment VII continues: Start discussion of Chaucer the Pilgrim's Tales, The Tale of Sir Topaz and The Tale of Melibee

Translation of parts of The Tale of Sir Topaz, including "Words of the Host to Chaucer" and "The Host Stops Chaucer's Tale of Sir Topaz" (CT 176-185); synopsis of / short excerpt from Chaucer's Tale of Melibee (CT 185-7); beginning of the Prologue to the Monk's Tale (Host's reaction to the Tale of Melibee, CT 204-5). If you have a copy of the Portable Chaucer, see also translated/ summarized material pp. 176-86.

Text: Sir Topaz 212-17; specific LINES from Melibee (full text found 217-239) and the beginning of the Prologue to the Monk's Tale (p. 240) as follows: Melibee LINES 977-999 (pp. 217-8); 1054-1121 (pp. 220-222); 1409-1479 (pp. 229-31); 1517-49 (pp. 231-2); 1671-85 (p. 235); 1712-end (pp. 236-9); Prologue to the Monk's Tale LINES 1889-1923 (p. 240).

Background: Introductions to the Prologue to Sir Thopas, to Sir Thopas and to The Tale of Melibee, 16-17; opening notes to the Prologue to Sir Thopas and to Sir Thopas, 917-8, as well as the opening notes to the Prologue to Melibee and to The Tale of Melibee, 923-4.

Presentation(s): Kevin Murphy

Week 8 (May 19 - 21)

Topic and Readings

Day 1 As needed: wrap-up discussion of The Tale of Sir Topaz and The Tale of Melibee

Fragment VII continues: The Monk's Tale

Translation of The Monk's Tale, including the Words of the Host to the Monk and the Words of the Knight and the Host (CT 186-214; PC ?).

Text:240-252.

Background: introduction to the Monk's Tale, 17-18; opening notes to the Monk's Prologue, 928, and to the Monk's Tale, 929-30.

Presentation(s): Abigail Johnson

Day 2 Fragment VII continues: The Nun's Priest's Tale

Translation of the Nun's Priest's Prologue, Tale and Epilogue (CT 213-31). You may also find it helpful to consult the Engl 330/512 study guide for the Nun's Priest's Tale.

Text: 252-61.

Background: Introduction to the Nun's Priest's Tale, 18-19; opening notes to the Nun's Priest's Prologue and to the Nun's Priest's Tale, 935-6.

Review Courtly Love (online reading).

Presentation(s): Michael Ponomaroff

Week 9    (May 26 - 28)

Topic and Readings

Day 1 Fragment VIII, conclusion: The Canon's Yeoman's Tale

Review the Second Nun's Tale from Fragment VIII (assigned w/ Prioress's Tale on T 5/12)

Translation of the Canon's Yeoman's Tale

Middle English text

Presentation(s): Brody Leonard

Day 2 Fragment VI: The Physician's Tale and the Pardoner's Prologue and Tale

Translation of the Physician's Tale, the Words of the Host to the Physician and the Pardoner, and the Pardoner's Prologue and Tale (CT 232-58). You may also find it helpful to consult the Engl 330/512 study guide for the Pardoner's Prologue and Tale.

Text: Physician's Tale, 190-93; introduction to the Pardoner's Tale, the Pardoner's Prologue, and the Pardoner's Tale, 193-202.

Background: Introductions to Fragment VI, to the Physician's Tale and to the Pardoner's Tale, 14-5; opening notes to fragment VI, 901; to the Physician's Tale, 901-2; and to the Pardoner's Introduction, Prologue and Tale, 904-6.

Presentation(s): 1) Physician's Tale: Garrett Kaufman
                       2) Pardoner's Prologue and Tale: Marley McCaughey

Week 10 (June 2 - 4)

Topic and Readings

Day 1 As needed, wrap up discussion of the Physician's Tale and the Pardoner's Prologue and Tale

Pilgrimage as Metaphor: the Close of the Canterbury Tales.

Read though translation of the Parson's Prologue and Chaucer's Retraction (CT 485-489). You may also find it helpful to consult the discussion of the close of the Canterbury Tales on the General Prologue study guides for ENGL 203 or Engl 330/512 (click on course link to be taken to the relevant portion of the respective study guide).

Text: Parson's Prologue, 287-8; passages from the Parson's Tale: 288-9, 296-303, 325-32; Chaucer's Retraction, 328.

Background: Introduction to Fragment X, 21-2; opening notes to Fragment X, to the Parson's Tale and to Chaucer's Retraction, 954-7, 965.

Day 2 MIDTERM EXAM 2 (objective only; no essay section).
Remember to turn in your ORIGINAL, MARKED UP PROSPECTUS, without which I will not read your final paper, due no later than Sunday, June 7, at midnight.

In addition to the second midterm (objective only, no essay; taken on the last day of class), all students will participate in a REQUIRED "final oral exercise," a brief summary of his/her final research paper, presented to the other members of the seminar. This Final Oral Exercise will take place at Dr. Schwartz's home, followed by an (optional) class dinner, at either the scheduled Final time, Thursday 6/11/15 from 4:10-7:00 PM, or on a mutually agreeable evening earlier in the exam week. Your attendance is required ONLY for the oral presentations; optional festivities will begin immediately after the last short presentation.

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	Topic and Readings
Day 1	The General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales Read though translation of the whole *General Prologue* (CT 3-26). You may also find it helpful to consult the ENGL 203 study guide for the General Prologue or the Engl 330/512 study guides on the Opening of the General Prologue and on Estates Satire and the Pilgrim Portraits. Background reading: Introduction to the Canterbury Tales and to Fragment 1, pp. 3-9. On the textual tradition of the Canterbury Tales: 1118-22. Text: in the Riverside Chaucer, read carefully GP 1-42 (=line numbers, found at pp. 23-4) and then read through the whole General Prologue (23-36). Background: Estates Satire (online reading; see also Riverside 23-36); opening explanatory note, 795-8; and initial note on each pilgrim, 800-826. map of the Pilgrimage route and chart of the Four Humours (useful details for interpreting Pilgrim portraits), on e-reserve in the Library Resources section of Blackboard. (The same map can be accessed through the Harvard Chaucer Pages website; on the four humours, see also Michael Hanley's webpage.)
Day 2	*General Prologue, continued. Reread translation of the whole General Prologue* (CT 3-26). You may also find it helpful to consult the ENGL 203 study guide for the General Prologue or the Engl 330/512 study guides on the Opening of the General Prologue and on Estates Satire and the Pilgrim Portraits. Text: in the Riverside Chaucer, read slowly and through the whole General Prologue (23-36). Background: Estates Satire (online reading; see also Riverside 23-36); opening explanatory note, 795-8; and initial note on each pilgrim, 800-826. map of the Pilgrimage route and chart of the Four Humours (useful details for interpreting Pilgrim portraits), on e-reserve in the Library Resources section of Blackboard. (The same map can be accessed through the Harvard Chaucer Pages website; on the four humours, see also Michael Hanley's webpage.)

	Topic and Readings
Day 1	*The Merchant's Tale* Translation of the *Merchant's Prologue, Tale and Epilogue* (CT 356-88). Merchant's Tale text: 153-68. Background: Introduction to the Merchant's Tale, 13; opening notes to the Merchant's Prologue and to the Merchant's Tale, 884-5. Review Kittredge's article on the "Marriage Group" (online reading). Presentation(s): Maddie Baker
Day 2	*The Franklin's Tale* Translation of the Words of the Franklin to the Squire and the *Franklin's Prologue and Tale* (CT 407-433). You may also find it helpful to consult the Engl 330/512 study guide for the Franklin's Tale. Text: 177-189. Review lyric poem "Truth," 653 (translation PC 603-4, or see text of translation on e-reserve) Background: Introduction to Fragment V and to the Franklin's Tale, 13-4; opening notes to Fragment V, 890; and to the Franklin's Prologue and Tale, 895-6. Review Kittredge's article on the "Marriage Group" (online reading). Review Courtly Love (online reading). Presentation(s): Maira Argenbright

	Topic and Readings
Day 1	As needed: wrap-up discussion of **The Tale of Sir Topaz and The Tale of Melibee** Fragment VII continues: The Monk's Tale Translation of *The Monk's Tale, including the Words of the Host to the Monk and the Words of the Knight and the Host (CT 186-214; PC ?). Text:240-252. Background: introduction to the Monk's Tale, 17-18; opening notes to the Monk's Prologue, 928, and to the Monk's Tale, 929-30. Presentation(s): Abigail Johnson*
Day 2	Fragment VII continues: The Nun's Priest's Tale Translation of the *Nun's Priest's Prologue, Tale and Epilogue* (CT 213-31). You may also find it helpful to consult the Engl 330/512 study guide for the Nun's Priest's Tale. Text: 252-61. Background: Introduction to the Nun's Priest's Tale, 18-19; opening notes to the Nun's Priest's Prologue and to the Nun's Priest's Tale, 935-6. Review Courtly Love (online reading). Presentation(s): Michael Ponomaroff

	Topic and Readings
Day 1	Fragment VIII, conclusion: The Canon's Yeoman's Tale Review the Second Nun's Tale from Fragment VIII (assigned w/ Prioress's Tale on T 5/12) Translation of the *Canon's Yeoman's Tale* Middle English text Presentation(s): Brody Leonard
Day 2	Fragment VI: The Physician's Tale and the Pardoner's Prologue and Tale Translation of the *Physician's Tale, the Words of the Host to the Physician and the Pardoner, and the Pardoner's Prologue and Tale* (CT 232-58). You may also find it helpful to consult the Engl 330/512 study guide for the Pardoner's Prologue and Tale. Text: Physician's Tale, 190-93; introduction to the Pardoner's Tale, the Pardoner's Prologue, and the Pardoner's Tale, 193-202. Background: Introductions to Fragment VI, to the Physician's Tale and to the Pardoner's Tale, 14-5; opening notes to fragment VI, 901; to the Physician's Tale, 901-2; and to the Pardoner's Introduction, Prologue and Tale, 904-6. Presentation(s): 1) Physician's Tale: Garrett Kaufman 2) Pardoner's Prologue and Tale: Marley McCaughey

	Topic and Readings
Day 1	As needed, wrap up discussion of the Physician's Tale and the Pardoner's Prologue and Tale Pilgrimage as Metaphor: the Close of the Canterbury Tales. Read though translation of the **Parson's Prologue and Chaucer's Retraction (CT 485-489). You may also find it helpful to consult the discussion of the close of the Canterbury Tales on the General Prologue study guides for ENGL 203 or Engl 330/512 (click on course link to be taken to the relevant portion of the respective study guide). Text: Parson's Prologue, 287-8; passages from the Parson's Tale: 288-9, 296-303, 325-32; Chaucer's Retraction*, 328. Background: Introduction to Fragment X, 21-2; opening notes to Fragment X, to the Parson's Tale* and to Chaucer's Retraction, 954-7, 965.
Day 2	MIDTERM EXAM 2 (objective only; no essay section). Remember to turn in your ORIGINAL, MARKED UP PROSPECTUS, without which I will not read your final paper, due no later than Sunday, June 7, at midnight.