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 106-053 Chaucer and the Canon

Availability

2nd and 3rd year

Credit Points

12.5

Coordinator

Stephanie Trigg

Prerequisites

Usually 25 points of first year English, see Prerequisites

Semester

1 (view timetable)

Contact

A 1-hour lecture per week and nine 2-hour tutorials scheduled across the semester

Subject Description

This subject has two main directions: an introduction to the work of Geoffrey Chaucer in the context of late medieval textual and cultural production in England; and the subsequent history and reception of Chaucer as the so-called 'father' of English poetry. We will examine how and why Chaucer became the canonical point of origin for early poetic tradition in English, and the implications of this special treatment for contemporary readings of Chaucer and other medieval writing. Chaucer's work will be studied in the original language; no prior knowledge of Middle English or medieval studies is necessary.

Assessment

Two essays of 2000 words each.

Prescribed Texts

A subject reader will be available.

  • L D Benson, The Riverside Chaucer. (gen ed) OUP 1988.


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Status:                   Official 1999
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Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au