Syllabus
EN256:
Myths & Legends of Ireland and Britain
Fall 2009
Syllabus
(Subject
to revision)
Thursday 9/3 : Introduction:Lands, Languages, and Legends of the Celts
Watch on streaming video: "In Search of Ancient Ireland", episode 1, "Heroes"
Texts distributed in class: “The Voyage of Bran Son of Febal” and “The Adventure of Conle”
Monday 9/7: No class meeting.
Thursday 9/10: Otherworld Encounters
In Early Irish Myths and Sagas, read:
Monday 9/14: The Ulster Cycle
In Early Irish Myths and Sagas, read "The Wasting Sickness of Cu Chulainn and the Only Jealousy of Emer” (153-178). In Kinsella’s translation of The Táin, read the Introduction (ix-xxvii) and pp. 1-8.
Thursday 9/17: The Ulster Cycle
In Kinsella's translation of The Táin, read pp. 8-20.
Monday 9/21: The Ulster Cycle
In Kinsella's translation of The Táin, read pp. 21-58.
Thursday 9/24: The Táin
In Kinsella's translation of The Táin, read pp. 58-92.
Monday 9/28: [No class meeting.]
Thursday 10/1: The Táin
In Kinsella's translation of The Táin, read pp. 92-137.
Monday 10/5: The Táin
In Kinsella's translation of The Táin, read pp. 137-205.
Thursday 10/8: The Táin
In Kinsella's translation of The Táin, read pp. 206-253.
Monday 10/12: [No class meeting.]
Tuesday 10/13 [Monday classes meet]: Irish Legend Revived
Read J. M. Synge's "Deirdre of the Sorrows."
Thursday 10/15 : Thesis workshop for first essay.
Monday 10/19: The Mabinogion
In The Mabinogion, read the Introduction (pp. 9-41) and “Pwyll Lord of Dyved” (45-65).
Thursday 10/22: The Mabinogion
In The Mabinogion, read “Branwen Daughter of Llyr” (66-82).
Monday 10/26: The Mabinogion
In The Mabinogion, read “Manawydan Son of Llyr” (83-96).
Thursday 10/29: The Mabinogion
In The Mabinogion, read “Math Son of Mathonwy” (97-117).
Monday 11/2 : The Legends of Saints: Patrick
Watch on streaming video: "In Search of Ancient Ireland", episodes 2 & 3. (Episode 2 begins at minute 54.)
In Discovering Saint Patrick, read pp. 3-62, 141-172.
Thursday 11/5 : The Legends of Saints: Patrick
In Discovering Saint Patrick, read pp. 112-130, 192-229. Also read "The Phantom Chariot of Cu Chulainn."
Monday 11/9 : The Legends of Saints: Brigid
Read Cogitosus's "Life of St. Brigid the Virgin."
Thursday 11/12 : The Legends of Saints: Brendan, Columba
In The Age of Bede (pp. 233-267) read “The Voyage of St. Brendan." Also read selections from Adomnan's "Life of St. Columba."
Monday 11/16 : The English in Britain
Read selections from Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People:
Thursday 11/19: Beowulf
In the Norton Critical Edition of Beowulf, read “Old English Language and Poetics” and the “Translator’s Preface” (pp. xv-xxxviii) and lines 1-188.
Monday 11/23 : Beowulf
In Heaney's translation, read lines 189-661.
[Thanksgiving Break]
Monday 11/30 : Beowulf
In Heaney's translation, read lines 662-1250.
Thursday 12/3 : Beowulf
In Heaney's translation, read lines 1251-1650.
Monday 12/7: Beowulf
In Heaney's translation, read lines 1651-2199.
Thursday 12/10: Beowulf
In Heaney's translation, read lines 2200-3182.
Thursday 12/17, 9:00 AM: Final Exam.