Reading Responses: Every week, you must log into the discussion group and post reactions to or questions about the reading; later on, check back to see whether anyone has addressed the issues you raised. I will expect you to make about two posts per tale, and to keep up the discussion over the course of the semester.
Research Project/Presentation: Working individually or in small groups, depending on class size, you will research a topic relevant to one of the Canterbury Tales and present the results of your research to the class. You may do this orally, of course, or by posting the results of your research to the discussion group, or, if you're feeling more ambitious, you may want to discuss with me the possibility of linking your research to the course home page. In any case, you will be responsible not only for doing your own project but for responding to those of others in the class.
Equizzes: These are time savers. On the dates noted in the calendar, I send you 4-8 lines of Middle English (these lines will always be taken from the reading for that week). You translate them into Modern English and send them back to me before the next class.
Creative Verse Assignments: You will be required to write two imitations or parodies of Chaucer's verse over the course of the semester; see the syllabus for due dates. This is a hands-on way to learn, once and for all, what iambic pentameter is and how it works (not to mention couplets, enjambment, and a few other poetic techniques with which you can win friends and influence people). The first two verse assignments will be ungraded; see below for information on the last.
Papers: You are required to write two short (5-6 page) papers; each should begin as a close reading of a particular passage of text from one of the tales. You may choose from suggested topics or develop your own in consultation with me.
Final Examination: The final examination will NOT involve long essay questions; instead, it will focus on identification and brief commentary on a variety of passages selected from the semester's readings. In the place of writing a formal essay, you'll be requested to produce a creative project in verse on a topic of your choice.
Return to Canterbury Tales homepage. Updated February 26, 1999.