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| Unit name |
The Crusades and their Representation in French Literature of the Middle Ages |
| Unit code |
FREN30098 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Marianne Ailes |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
Department of French |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
The Unit would be taught through an interdisciplinary study. We would examine early accounts of the calling of the first Crusade and study examples of both fictional and non-fictional French texts from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The narrative texts studied deal with crusading in the Holy Land and the nearer threat of Islamic Spain. The study of the depiction of the religious and/or racial Other in the texts would be complemented by a consideration of the Saracen in manuscript illuminations. A different aspect of the Western response to the Crusades is seen in lyric poetry which explores and presents the emotional impact of the Crusades. The propagandist value of some texts would be considered but students woould also be made aware of dissenting voices and different views of events. Set texts: La Chanson de Guillaume ed. P.E. Bennett (London, 2000); Robert de Clari, Conquête de Constantinople, ed. P.S. Noble (Société Rencesvals, 2007); a selection of lyric poems. Background reading: J. Riley-Smith, The Crusades: A History (2005).
Aims:
- To introduce students to a significant body of knowledge of a complexity appropriate to final year level. The content matter will normally include one or more of the following: literature; social, cultural or political history; linguistics; cultural studies; film, television or other media.
- To facilitate students' engagement with a body of literature, including secondary literature, texts, including in non-print media, primary sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and development. Normally many or most of these sources will be in a language other than English and will enhance the development of their linguistic skills.
- To develop further skills of synthesis, analysis and independent research, building on the skills acquired in units at level I.
- To equip students with the skills to undertake postgraduate study in a relevant field.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Successful students will have
- demonstrated a knowledge of significant literature of the crusading period as appropriate to level H.
- advanced skills in the selection and synthesis of relevant material.
- evaluated and analysed relevant material from a significant body of source materials relating to the French response to the Crusade at a level appropriate to Level H.
- responded to questions or problems by presenting orally their independent judgements in an appropriate style and at an advanced level of complexity.
- be able to transfer these skills to other working environments, including postgraduate study.
- Present independent judgement through extended written arguments.
Teaching Information
Two seminar hours per week across one teaching block (22 contact hours).
Assessment Information
1 x 10 minute oral presentation with accompanying 500 word book review (25%, of which 15% is for the oral presentation) (25%) testing ILO's 1-5
1 x 4000 word essay (75%) testing ILO's 1-3 and 5-6
Reading and References
- La Chanson de Guillaume ed. P.E. Bennett (London, 2000);
- Robert de Clari, Conquête de Constantinople, ed. P.S. Noble (Société Rencesvals, 2007);
- a selection of lyric poems. Background reading: J. Riley-Smith, The Crusades: A History (2005).
