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.
Readings
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(link is external) 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/(link is external))
- 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(link is external))
- 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*
Assessment
- 15% - Online Discussions
- 20% - Short Written Reponses to Discussion Questions (x2)
- 30% - Essay (1800 - 2000 words)
- 35% - Proctored Final Exam
*Evaluation Subject to Change*
STUDENTS ENROLLED IN ONLY ONLINE COURSES WILL HAVE TWO OPTIONS TO WRITE THEIR EXAMS:
- You may choose to write your exam(s) online using Examity proctoring services where you will be charged the additional $100 exam fee; or
- You may choose to write your exam(s) in-person on Queen's campus in Kingston where you will NOT be charged the additional $100 exam fee.
LOCATION AND TIMING OF FINAL EXAMINATIONS
Once the exam schedule has been finalized the exam date will be posted on your SOLUS account. The exam dates for each Term are listed on the Faculty of Arts and Science webpage under "Important Dates." Student exam schedules for the Fall Term are posted via SOLUS immediately prior to the Thanksgiving holiday; for the Winter Term they are posted on the Friday before Reading Week, and for the Summer Term they are individually noted on the Arts and Science Online syllabi. Students should delay finalizing any travel plans until after the examination schedule has been posted. Exams will not be moved or deferred to accommodate employment, travel/holiday plans or flight reservations.
Prerequisites
- Level 2 or above or 6.0 units of ENGL
Additional information
For more information please visit https://www.queensu.ca/artsci_online/courses/legends-of-king-arthur-medieval-to-modern
