EN222C Spring 2018

Introduction to Literature: King Arthur’s Legacy

This course introduces students to literary study with a focus on prose fiction, narrative poetry, and the graphic novel. We’ll examine the cultural importance of literature, considering the profound, transformative impact storytelling has on our understanding of the world, including the shape of culture, beliefs, morality, and human identity.

This section of EN222 will focus on the literary and cultural legacy of the King Arthur myth from its medieval beginnings to its modern reimagingings. 

In addition to strengthening our critical reading skills, we’ll also work to further develop our writing abilities. Writing assignments will range in style and formality; the final project will include a creative component.

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Recognize and respond to a variety of literary genres.
• Understand and engage in the process of literary analysis.
• Use writing and reading for inquiry, learning, and creative/critical thinking.
• Consider the historical, linguistic, and cultural contexts in which the literature was written and discuss how the literature functions within those contexts.
• Empathize with diverse human experiences, having examined their and others’ personal, political, and cultural concerns.

Barr, Mike W. and Brian Bolland. Camelot 3000. DC Comics, 2008. ISBN: 9781401240363.

Ishiguro, Kazuo. The Buried Giant. Vintage, 2016. ISBN: 9780307455796.

Pearsall, Derek. Arthurian Romance: A Short Introduction. Blackwell, 2003. ISBN: 9780631233206.

The Romance of Arthur, 3^rd ed. Edited by Norris J. Lacy and James J. Wilhelm. Routledge, 2013. ISBN: 9780415782890.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Translated by Simon Armitage. Norton, 2008. ISBN: 9780393334159.