This course will serve several purposes. First, it will provide an introduction to French medieval Literature: students will read major texts from all genres, from the earliest period through the 13th c. (thus, most of the texts on the French MA reading list). We will take the following issues as on-going themes throughout the semester: the performance of works; relations between image and text; and relations between different versions of the same work.

              This course will also introduce students to technologies useful in the study of the Middle Ages. The “old” technologies to be explored are paleography and codicology—the skills which allow us to read old scripts and use manuscripts. Modern technologies include the use of films and videos; CDs and CD-ROMS; Digital Scriptoria; websites; on-line databases and other similar resources; and listserves. We will both use these technologies and evaluate the nature and degree of their usefulness. 

   Finally, we will read and reflect on the applicability of several kinds of modern theory to medieval literature, such as narratology, oral/written and performance theory, and the work of René Girard.

Medieval works to be studied are: La Vie de Saint Alexis ; La Chanson de Roland ; Béroul and Thomas, Tristan et Iseut ; Chrétien de Troyes, Yvain ; Marie de France, Lais ; poetry of the Troubadours and Trouvères; Aucassin et Nicolette ; Adam de la Halle, Jeu de Robin et Marion and Jeu de la Feuillie ; Le Roman de la Rose by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meung; and La Quete du Saint Graal .

              Students do not need to know how to read Old French on entering the course: we will work on this both in class and in special sessions, using a practical "Old French Without Tears" approach.

         Students from other disciplines are most welcome. This course is given in French and all students need to read and understand modern French, but those from outside the French Department may be allowed to do written or oral work in English.