English 201
Inventing Western Literature
Part 1: Ancient and Medieval Traditions
Fall XXXX
Instructor: Ellen MollSection 0101
Office: XXXX TawesTuTh 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Hours: XXXXRoom 0207 Tawes
Phone: 301-405-XXXXEmail: XXXX
Description: This course offers an opportunity to study and discuss several works of literature in the ancient and medieval Western tradition and closely related cultures. Goals of the course include knowledge of the genres and themes of ancient and medieval Western literatures, understanding of the cultural, historical, and artistic forces that shaped these literary traditions, and awareness of these traditions’ influence on, and relevance to, life in the Twenty-First Century. Course readings include epic, lyric, and dramatic poetry, as well as prose works in philosophy, science, and history. Students are expected to grapple with interesting and challenging questions and debates.
Students will read extensively, participate in class discussion, complete a variety of written assignments, perform research, take exams, and complete a range of other assignments, including presentations, group assignments, homework, and quizzes.
By the end of this course, the successful 201 student will have demonstrated
1.familiarity and facility with fundamental terminology and concepts in the study of ancient and medieval literature;
2.understanding of the methods used by scholars to analyze ancient and medieval texts;
3.good critical thinking skills in evaluating material from the ancient and medieval worlds on its own terms and with awareness of the limitations in our ability to understand the cultural assumptions these works represent;
4.recognition of the problems of reading texts in translation and in understanding texts from very different cultures;
Required Texts and course materials:
Norton Anthology of Western Literature: Volume I (8th ed.).W. W. Norton & Company, 2005.
ISBN-13: 978-0393925722
In addition, some materials will be provided in handouts or online.
Grading: The final grade will be calculated as follows:
10%Class Participation30%Papers
10% Imitation Assignment10% Quizzes, Presentations, and Other Assignments
20%Mid-term Exam 20% Final Exam
Participation and Attendance: Students are expected to participate in class discussions and activities. Missed work may be made up only if the absence is excused, and the student is responsible for all missed discussion and information.The instructor should be notified of absences for religious observances well in advance. Failure to do assigned readings or bring appropriate course materials can lower the participation grade, as can any behavior that contributes negatively to the classroom environment. Clearly, students must be present to participate in any way; absences (and lateness) will therefore heavily impact the participation grade.
Papers and Assignments: Reading and viewing assignments (listed in the syllabus by author and/or title) should be completed in entirety by the due date. Students are responsible for all explanations of and changes in assignments announced in class, regardless of whether an absence is excused.
A paper (or other assignment) is considered to be turned in if it is typed, in 12-point font, double spaced, with standard margins, and if it is handed in when it is collected during class (usually at the beginning of class). Students should keep an extra printed copy of all assignments just in case.A paper grade drops one full grade if it is turned in after it has been collected. For each additional class that the paper is not turned in, the grade drops one additional full grade. Papers/assignments that are late due to unexcused absences are still considered late papers. Presentations and the final exam may not be late.
Academic Integrity: As stated by the Student Honor Council, "The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit
Special Circumstances: If you have a registered disability that requires accommodation, please see me immediately. If you have a disability and have not yet registered with Disability Support Services in the ShoemakerBuilding, you should do so promptly.
Emergency Closures: In case of University-wide closure due to emergency, weather, or other circumstances, students should check the course website on Blackboard for updates. In the case of extended closures, the course will follow the syllabus unless announced otherwise, with discussion and assignments submitted on Blackboard and/or email (unless University policy dictates otherwise).
Office hours: My office hours are listed above. Please see me if you have any concerns about your work for this course or would like to continue discussion of the texts. If you cannot meet during this time, please schedule a different time to meet me at the office.
Syllabus: Schedule of Readings
Note: This syllabus is subject to change and the student is responsible for all changes that the instructor announces in class, including but not limited to additional presentations, group projects, homework assignments, pop quizzes, readings, and changes in due dates. Readings should be completed by the class period in which they are discussed. All readings are from the Norton Anthology of Western Literature, Volume I, (NWL) except where noted.
Aug. 31Introduction, Course Policies, Syllabus
Ancient Greek Literature
Sept. 2Due: Read Book I of The Iliad
4Due: Books VI and IX in The Iliad
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7No class meeting: Labor Day
9Due: Books XVI and XXII in The Iliad and Online Readings
11Due: Book XXIV in The Iliad
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14Due: Aeschylus, Agamemnon
16Due: Aeschylus, Eumenides
18Due: TBA
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21Due: Sophocles, Antigone
23Due: Euripides, Medea
25Due: Question sheet (typed)
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28Due: Herodotus and Thucydides in NWL
30Due: Paper 1, also read all poems by Sappho in the textbook
Oct.2Due: Excerpts from Plato’s Republic in NWL and Online Readings
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5Due: Online Readings from Aristotle
7Due: Aristophanes, Lysistrata
9Due: TBA
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12Midterm Exam Review
14Midterm Exam
Mesopotamian and Biblical Literatures
16Due: Gilgamesh in Online Readings
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19Due: Poems by Enheduanna in Online Readings
21Due: TBA
23Due: Film (Meet in Hornbake Library, Nonprint Media)
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26Due: Genesis (all) and additional Online Readings
28Due: Ecclesiastes (all) and excerpts from Psalms in Online Readings
30Due: Matthew (all) in Online Readings
--Ancient Roman Literature
Nov.2Due: Introduction to Roman Literature and Book VI from The Aeneidin NWL
4Due: Poems by Catullus in NWL
6Due: Paper 2
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9Due: Ovid, Metamorphoses, Books I, IX, and X
11Due: TBA
13Due: TBA
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16Due: Book VI in Augustine, Confessions
Medieval Literature
18Due: Dante, Inferno, Cantos I-V
20Due: Dante, Inferno, Cantos VI-XII
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23Due: Online Readings on Hildegard von Bingen
25Due: TBA
27No class meeting – Thanksgiving holiday
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30Due: Chaucer, “General Prologue” and “The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale”
Dec. 2Due: Medieval Tales and Excerpts on Medieval Women, pp.1143-1145, 1425-1430,
1452-1453, and 1843-1868 in NWL
4Due: Imitation Assignment
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7Due: TBA
9Due: Marie de France in NWL
11Due: All online contributions.
Exam Week: Final Exam as Scheduled by the University: See Exam schedule on