ENGL 2031 - British Literature: Medieval to Romantic

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab 0
Course Description: This college literature course intended for all students will analyze and explore early British Literature from the Medieval to the Romantic era (up to 1800). A particular focus is given to how the English language literature of Old English, Middle English, Medieval, Renaissance, Restoration, and Romantic periods. A particular focus is given to how the literature of these eras reveals and shapes history and cultural identities across time, space, and the global society of the Medieval to Romantic era. Topics may include courtly love, warrior culture, migration, religious conflict and individualism. Readings may include literary texts found across what is now England, France, Scotland and Wales before the formal establishment of the United Kingdom in 1801. Typical authors may include Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare, John Donne, John Milton, Alexander Pope, Aphra Behn, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Charlotte Smith.
MnTC Goals
6 Humanities/Fine Arts, 8 Global Perspective

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: ENGL 1020   with a grade of C or higher OR ENGL 1021  with a grade of C or higher.

Major Content

1. Techniques for close reading and interpretation. 

2. Literary elements and devices. 

3. Survey and overview of significant works of British literature written from the Medieval to Romantic Period including Old English period (450-1066), Middle English period (1200-1485), and the Renaissance, Restoration periods up to the beginning of the Romantic period (1485-1800). 

4. Topics related to the evolving views and experiences of culture, society, religion, and linguistics such as warrior culture, courtly love, heroism, morality, migration, social satire, revolution, the metaphysical, and others. 

1. demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of significant works in early British Literature.
2. analyze cultural, social, religious, and linguistic differences found in early British Literature.
3. analyze those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context. 
4. analyze basic literary elements in works studied. 
5. articulate an informed personal reaction to works in British Literature: Medieval to Romantic. 
6. respond critically to works in British Literature: Medieval to Romantic. 
7. analyze international problems seen through the readings in British Literature from the Medieval period to the Romantic period that illustrate cultural, economic, and political differences affecting their solutions. 
8. analyze the roles and responsibilities of a world citizen based on readings in early British Literature and on contemporary societies. 

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