Ü-Medieval English Literatures: The Middle Ages and/in Theory
Andrew James Johnston
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This course aims at analysing the way historical periods are constructed in historiography, literary and cultural theory. The example that will serve us is the Middle Ages, whose earliest ... read more
This course aims at analysing the way historical periods are constructed in historiography, literary and cultural theory. The example that will serve us is the Middle Ages, whose earliest construction as a period took place at the beginning of the Renaissance and continues to this very day. Even though the Middle Ages is our point of departure, we will actually be delving deep into contemporary theory, taking a look at various approaches to the past. Since the invention of the Middle Ages originated in the process of the Renaissance’s self-parturition and self-definition, this course will be of especial interest not only to medievalists but equally so to students of the Renaissance and to students interested in the complex relations of literature and history in general.
A reader will be made available to students via blackboard.
