spring 2020 HIF-1112 Culture and Literature in the European Middle Ages - 10 ECTS
Application deadline
Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 June for courses offered in the autumn semester and 1 December for courses offered in the spring semester.
Exchange students and Fulbright students: 15 April for courses offered in the autumn semester and 1 October for courses offered in the spring semester.
Course content
This course gives an introduction to the Middle Ages and what characterises medieval culture, mindset and literature in Europe in the period c. 500 - 1500 A.D. We will learn about the establishment of the first universities and the development of the medieval learned tradition and its significance for medieval text and manuscript culture. Moreover, the course will give an introduction to some of the most important medieval textual sources and how these may be applied. Students will also learn about philological theory and methodology. You will have the opportunity to study medieval texts of your own choice related to your field of study.Objectives of the course
When the course is completed, the student should have obtained the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:
Knowledge
The student has:
- Knowledge of the general outlines of medieval cultural and literary history
- Knowledge of the medieval mindset
- Knowledge of the development of the learned institutions of the European Middle Ages
- Knowledge of medieval text and manuscript culture
- Knowledge of philological theory and methdology
- Knowledge of the most important sources to the Middle Ages
- Knowledge of medieval literature related to own field of study
Skills and competence
The student can:
- Apply knowledge of medieval European culture and literature
- Describe and apply philological theory and methodology
- Understand and interpret medieval literature in light of its context and the medieval mindset
- Describe, interpret and apply the most important sources to the Middle Ages
- Communicate material related to medieval literature within own field of study both orally and in writing, and put this into a wider context
Language of instruction and examination
The language and instruction is English unless otherwise stated. All coursework (course portfolio) may be written in either English or a Scandinavian language. The common syllabus will be in English.
One part of the syllabus common for all students will consist of a selection of primary texts in English translation and a selection secondary sources on common features of the European Middle Ages. Part two of the syllabus will be selected by the individual students, and should consist of primary texts (in modern or English/Scandinavian translation) from the student’s own field of study, and secondary sources relevant to the specific literature and culture under investigation. Part one of the syllabus will be published in June. Part two will be selected by the student in consultation with the course coordinator, and must be approved by the course coordinator.
Teaching methods
Lectures and seminars 2-4 hours a week (3 hours on average) for 12 weeks. Students are expected to actively engage in the classes. The students will have the opportunity to work with literature related to their own field of study, which has relevance for their individual degree programme. Students of Russian, for instance, will be able to work with Russian medieval literature (in modern Russian or English translation) and so on.Assessment
The following coursework requirements must me completed and approved in order to take the final exam:
- Obligatory participation of at least 75% of the classes. Should the student be unable to meet this requirement, a separate alternative must be arranged with the course coordinator.
- At least 4 short written assignments (c. 1 page) consisting of summaries and evaluations of texts from the syllabus (reading diary) and at least one draft of a larger written assignment based on the syllabus and primary and secondary texts of own choice (7-10 pages).
- All students are expected to present text from the syllabus in class at least once during the semester (10-15 min.).
We also recommend that students consult and receive feedback from Academic Writing Centre at the HSL Faculty at least once during the semester. We will work with written assignments throughout the semester, focusing on the writing process.
Type of exam: course portfolio
The exam will consist of:
- A course portfolio containing the written assignments and the drafts developed thoughout the semester, and a final version of a larger essay on literature related to the student’s field of study (7-10 pages). The student may choose essay topic and primary text(s) in consultation with the course coordinator. The written assignments in the portfolio may be written in either a Scandinavian language or in English.
The exam will be assessed on an A-F grade scale. Grades are A-E for passed and F for failed. A re-sit examination is offered in the beginning of the following semester in cases of grade F. A postponed examination is offered in the beginning of the following semester if the student is unable to take the final exam due to illness or other exceptional circumstances. Registration deadline for re-sit/postponed examination is January 15 for courses offered in the autumn semester and August 15 for courses offered in the spring semester. In the event of a re-sit/postponed examination, the student is allowed to submit a revised version of his/her paper within a given deadline.
- About the course
- Campus: Tromsø |
- ECTS: 10
- Course code: HIF-1112
- Responsible unit
- Department of Language and Culture