SOLUS is Queen’s Student On-Line University System. You’ll have access to a SOLUS account once you become a Queen’s student. You’ll use SOLUS to register for courses, add and drop courses, update your contact information, view financial and academic information, and pay your tuition.
Legends of King Arthur: Medieval to Modern
ENGL 281/3.0
This course investigates the enduring popularity of the legend of Arthur, with an emphasis on its adaptability to the changing values and viewpoints of different cultural moments (Celtic, Medieval, Victorian, Modern). Themes to be investigated may include chivalry, courtly love, the grail quest, national identity, politics and gender relationships.
Please note: This course is typically offered in the fall term - every other term
Learning Outcomes
Students who complete this course should be able to:
- Identify and describe major Arthurian texts, giving examples of writers and works.
- Compare themes and styles of Arthurian texts from different periods of literature.
- Analyze passages from Arthurian literature, noting important elements in form and content.
- Formulate, develop and construct persuasive arguments based on evidence from the texts.
- Convey arguments in clear, coherent and grammatical prose. Individual students’ grades will be based on how well they accomplish the learning outcomes.
Description
This course introduces students to the literary tradition surrounding King Arthur, from the early medieval period to the twentieth century, focusing on the tradition within Great Britain. The course will follow the Arthurian myth, its stories and its characters, as they evolve through time in different contexts, and through different genres, from early romances to twentieth-century musical drama. Special attention will be paid to notions of kingship, nation, and gender as represented within Arthurian literature.
Terms
To be determined
Evaluation
15% - Online Discussions
20% - Short Written Reponses to Discussion Questions (x2)
30% - Essay (1800 - 2000 words)
35% - Proctored Final Exam
**Evaluation Subject to Change**
Final Examination
Students must write their exam on the day and time scheduled by the University. The start time may vary slightly depending on the off-campus exam centre. Do not schedule vacations, appointments, etc., during the exam period.
Instructor
TBD
Textbooks and Materials
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/Search-Engine to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
Required texts and Readings (available from Queen's Campus Bookstore at http://www.campusbookstore.com/)
- Geoffrey of Monmouth, History of the Kings of Britain, ed. Michael Faletra (Broadview) (available online as a PDF through the publisher at https://broadviewpress.com/product/the-history-of-the-kings-of-britain/?ph=052216213796b53102946d02#tab-description)
- Sir Thomas Malory, Morte Darthur, ed. Helen Cooper (Oxford)
- Alfred Lord Tennyson, Idylls of the King (Penguin)
- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Broadview)
- T. H. White, The Once and Future King (Harper Collins)
- Marian Zimmer Bradley, The Mists of Avalon
- Lerner and Loewe, Camelot
On-line readings:
- Marie de France, Lanval
- The Cambridge Companion to Arthurian Legends, “Introduction,” “The Early Arthur, History and Myth”
- The Mabinogion “Culhwch and Olwen”
- Tennyson, “The Lady of Shalott”
- Selected poems by Edwin Muir, Thom Gunn and Geoffrey Hill
Recommended guides and companions to Arthurian literature:
- The Cambridge Companion to Arthurian Legends, ed. Elizabeth Archibold and Ad Putter
- A Companion to Arthurian Literature, ed. Helen Fulton
- The Oxford Guide to Arthurian Literature and Legend by Alan Lupack
**Subject To Change**
Time Commitment
To complete the readings, assignments, and course activities, students can expect to spend on average, about 9-10 hours per week (120 hours per term) on the course.
Course Resources
About SOLUS
About OnQ
onQ is Queen's online learning platform. You'll log into onQ to access your course. All materials related to your course—notes, readings, videos, recordings, discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, groupwork, tutorials, and help—will be on the onQ site.
About Credit Units
Queen’s courses are weighted in credit units. A typical one-term course is worth 3.0 units, and a typical two-term course is worth 6.0 units. You combine these units to create your degree. A general (three-year) BA or BSc requires a total of 90 credit units.
Computer Requirements
To take an online course, you’ll need a high speed internet connection as well as a microphone and speakers to be able to watch videos, hear sounds, and participate in interactive online activities. A webcam is recommended but not necessary.
System Requirements:
Computer Specifications
- Windows 8.1 or newer
- OSX 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer
- Dual Core 2 GHz processor
- 4 GB RAM
- Soundcard
- USB Headset
- Webcam
Supported Browsers
- Chrome (preferred - latest version)
- Firefox (latest version)
- Safari is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
- Edge is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
Internet Connection
- Wired high speed access: Cable or better
- Wifi is not recommended
Java
- Latest version
Media Player
- Flash (latest version)
Adobe Reader
- Latest Version
Dates/Deadlines
The deadlines for new applications to Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are in our Upcoming Application Dates section.
Grading Scheme
The information below is intended for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Academic Regulations in other Faculties may differ.
| Letter Grade | Grade Point |
| A+ | 4.30 |
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.70 |
| B+ | 3.30 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.70 |
| C+ | 2.30 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.70 |
| D+ | 1.30 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 0.70 |
| F | 0.00 |
GPA Calculators
Have your SOLUS grade report handy and then follow the link to the Arts and Science GPA calculators.
How does this affect my academics?
See the GPA and Academic Standing page.
Follow the link above for an explanation of how the GPA system affects such things as the Dean’s Honour List, requirements to graduate, and academic progression.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Grading Scheme
Please follow this link to the FAQ's
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending when you start, your year, faculty, and program. Fees for Summer Term 2018 first-year Distance Career Arts & Science Domestic students are as follows: for a 3.0-unit course, $685.90; for a 6.0-unit course, $1371.80 See also Tuition and Fees.
Campus Bookstore
All textbooks can be purchased at Queen’s Campus Bookstore.
Non-Queen’s Students
All Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are open to students at other universities. Before applying as a visiting student, request a Letter of Permission from your home university that states that you have permission to take the course and apply it to your degree. See also Apply.
Academic Integrity
Please see Queen’s policy statement on academic integrity for information on how to complete an online course honestly.
