Medieval Literature: Legends of Arthur

Instructor Insights

Course Overview

This page focuses on the course 21L.460 Medieval Literature: Legends of Arthur as it was taught by associate professor Arthur Bahr in Fall 2013.

The course focuses on the legends of King Arthur in Medieval literature. The course follows the evolution of his legend, and legends of his principal knights, in their many reinventions and rewritings.

Course Outcomes

Course Goals for Students

There were three goals:

1. written argumentation
2. literary analysis and appreciation
3. comfort speaking in front of others

Learn more.

Instructor Interview

"In any class, as in life, you have some extroverted students and some introverted students – and no teacher is going to change that – but certain strategies can promote more equitable and engaging discussions."

—Prof. Bahr

On the following pages, Professor Bahr describes various aspects of how he taught 21L.460 Medieval Literature: Legends of Arthur.

• Setting the stage for Arthurian literature with a key question
• Encouraging participation during discussion
• Final project and posters: Alternative assessment strategies

Curriculum Information

Prerequisites

One previous course in literature

Requirements Satisfied

None

Offered

Usually every other semester

Assessment

The students’ grades were based on the following activities:

• 25% Critical/close reading paper
• 50% Final project and poster session
• 25% Class participation

Student Information

Enrollment

15 students

Breakdown by Year

This course is primarily taken by undergraduate students.

Typical Student Background

Most students enter the class with some background knowledge about the legend of King Arthur. The course offers them an opportunity to juxtapose their conceptions of the literary figure with the historical Arthur.

How Student Time Was Spent

During an average week, students were expected to spend 12 hours on the course, roughly divided as follows:

In Class

• Met 1 time per week for 3 hours for a total of 12 sessions; mandatory attendance
• Small groups of students (4-5 per group) identified topics or passages that merited further discussion
• Topics, passages or questions were outlined on the chalkboard
• Class discussion followed
• Last session was a poster session with guests invited

Out of Class

• Completed readings
• Completed critical/close reading paper
• Completed proposal of three possible final projects
• Met in person with Prof. Bahr about final project at least once
• Completed final project