Department of English

This seminar will introduce students to some of the major works of the Medieval and Renaissance periods and their cultural contexts. We will read excerpts from some narrative poems (Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, Spenser's Faerie Queene, Milton's Paradise Lost), some examples of lyric poetry (Wyatt, Sidney, Donne, Wroth), and some plays (Shakespeare, Jonson and Webster). Because this class will be affiliated with WATU (and will count towards fulfilling your writing requirement), we will be writing 3 5-page drafts during the semester, two of which will be expanded to 10-page papers for your final graded portfolio. There will also be short weekly responses due, a final exam, and an expectation of enthusiastic class participation.