Literature of the Medieval & Renaissance Worlds

This is a full-year course that explores literary masterpieces from the Anglo-Saxon era to the Elizabethan period of the sixteenth century. Students will engage with classic works that delve into themes of chivalric romance, love, and the distinctions between tragedy and comedy. The course covers key texts such as Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Dante's The Divine Comedy, and Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. It utilizes classical education methods to enhance critical thinking and literary analysis skills.

The course includes comparative analysis of chivalric romance, discussions on the transformative power of love, exploration of the unique worldview of Medieval and Renaissance writers, examination of symbolism and allegory development, and comparison of different genres. Assignments include weekly quizzes or summaries, short response papers, and midterm and final papers. Maturity level should be considered before enrolling due to the nature of the readings.