This is a survey course of Middle English literature and aims at introducing graduate and advanced undergraduate students to the literature written in English between 1100 and 1500, with the exception of Chaucer. For this course, there is a text --in fact, there are quite a few-- in the classroom. We will read a number of texts, mostly excerpts, in the original and discuss their language, historical contexts, and literary aspects. These readings will be supplemented, at the choice of the students, by reading and discussing some of the major writers in their entirety. Lectures will fill in the background and look at major historical and critical issues.

Students are expected to prepare the assigned readings carefully. In addition, some written work will be required, whose nature will depend on the makeup of the class and individual needs of the participants.