Course Syllabus

Jump to Today

Welcome to CMLIT 106: Arthurian Legend

Overview

CATEGORY INFORMATION
Credits 3
Prerequisites None
Delivery Web (Canvas, https://psu.instructure.com)
Dates See the Calendar.
Instructor See the Orientation module under the Modules tab.

Description

This course is designed to familiarize students with the legends about and surrounding King Arthur and the Round Table fellowship. Through a series of readings, students will survey the development of the legends of Arthur from their beginnings in early medieval Europe to their modern adaptations in many cultures around the world. The Arthurian legend is an ideal vehicle for showing the ways in which literary works capture and express changing value systems in different cultural and historical situations, and thus the course is a good example of comparative (international) approaches to literary study. Classes will discuss the changing cultural ideals represented, the different characterizations of the central figures, and the literary techniques employed. Lectures and discussions will be supplemented by overheads, slides, music, and films or film clips dealing with Arthurian themes. Throughout, the course will ask why and how the stories of Arthur and the Round Table fellowship have captured the imagination of artists, political and religious leaders, and readers throughout the ages and around the world. Finally, it will ask how the practical concerns of daily life are developed in this literature—for example, how does this highly imaginative literature address practical concerns such as striking a balance between one's short-term goals and personal gratifications, and one's long-range obligations to other people?

Over the course of the semester, we will keep the following questions in mind:

  • What constitutes an Arthurian legend?
  • Why do the legends of Arthur and his knights occupy such an important place in the literary and cultural imaginations of medieval and modern, Western and Eastern readers and writers?
  • How and why are the medieval notions of “courtly love” and “chivalry,” as exhibited in the Arthurian legends, important to readers of the 21st century>

Objectives

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. increase your knowledge of the different traditions of Arthurian literature.
  2. expand your international and intercultural skills, particularly your ability to perceive and describe different value systems and cultural expectations as you analyze how the stories of King Arthur and his court travel internationally, cross-culturally, and throughout time.
  3. examine the development of “chivalry,” “courtly love,” and literary characters from the medieval Arthurian romance to the present.
  4. develop your communication skills through writing assignments and classroom discussions.
  5. expand your ability to gather, analyze and synthesize information from different sources.
  6. enjoy the richness and diversity of the Arthurian legend

Organization

This course is made up of six lessons. Each lesson relates to a legends about and surrounding King Arthur and the Round Table fellowship.

For a typical lesson, you will complete the following activities and assignments:

  • Explore course content on this Web site.
  • Read a few assigned readings.
  • Participate in the course discussion forums.

In addition, you will write a few short papers and complete several quizzes and exams.

Online Learning and Attendance

This course has been developed to promote asynchronous learning. The instructor and students do NOT meet on a designated day and time each week. For each lesson, there is a timeframe to complete all activities and assignments, and you may work at your own pace within that timeframe. However, you must adhere to the due dates outlined on the Calendar. (Due dates can also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) You should log into the course daily to check for updates, review lessons, and participate in activities.

Materials

Texts

There is one required text. There are also additional readings available in the course.

  • Wilhelm, James J., ed. The Romance of Arthur, 3rd Edition: An Anthology of Medieval Texts in Translation. New York: Garland Publishing, 2013. (ISBN: 978-0415782890)

Course Reserves

There are electronic resources on reserve for this course that can be accessed through the Penn State Libraries. To access your Course Reserves, please go to the XGER/RUS 143 Course ReservesX at Xhttp://cat.libraries.psu.edu/uhtbin/cgisirsi/x/0/0/57/82/GER+143/124749?user_id=WEBSERVERX.

DELETE THE NOTE BELOW FROM A LIVE SECTION
Note for Design Team: As a reminder the link can be obtained from the PSU Libraries' Course Reserves page by clicking on Link to Page. Copy the permalink and add it above as 1) an active link with descriptive text and 2) plain text with the full URL. Each semester you will need to replace both links with course-specific, instructor-specific info. The example above goes to the GER/RUS 143 Course Reserves.

For any questions you may have about searching, viewing, or printing your Course Reserves, refer to the Viewing/Printing Electronic Reserves page at https://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/reserves/usingreserves.html.

Grading

Final letter grades will be assigned based on the scale below.

Scale

LETTER
GRADE		 MINIMUM
PERCENT
A 95
A- 90
B+ 88
B 82
B- 80
C+ 78
C 70
D 60
F 0

Due Dates

All assignments are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the date indicated on the Calendar. (Due dates can be also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) As a general rule, you will NOT be able to go back and make up missed assignments. It is your responsibility to keep up with your assignments. Students with an excused absence (e.g. hospitalization, jury duty, family emergency, or military service) may be asked to produce proper documentation in order to make up graded work. All make-up work is at the discretion of the instructor.

Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g. upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.

Notes

  • To Do List: Some assignments may not appear in the To Do list under the Home tab. Use the Calendar or Syllabus to ensure that you are fully aware of assignment due dates.
  • Late Assignments: Unless a student has an excused absence, late work will not be accepted and receive a zero (0).

Assignments

Basic information about each assignment group is provided below. For detailed directions about an individual assignment, see the assignment information under the Modules tab.

You can expect meaningful feedback on assignments within ONE WEEK of their due date.

ASSIGNMENT
GROUP		 Percent
Discussions  15
Quizzes  15
Short Papers  35
Exams  35
Total 100

 

Discussions

Value: 15% of Grade

There are 5 discussions. There will be a prompt in each one proposing a topic on which you will have to elaborate. You are expected to use an academic language (including but not limited to proper spelling and grammatical correctness) when writing your post. Although the participation grade is not (as in the classroom) absolutely determined by rigid criteria, I would suggest you at least start one thread and post two replies to your classmates' comments for each one of the Discussion Forums--that is, five threads and ten replies in the whole semester--to receive full credit for the participation grade. Of course, other inquiries or comments related to the Forum's topic or the week's lessons are welcome.

INSTRUCTOR'S DISCUSSION BOARD POLICIES

      • Try to think of discussion boards as an extension of your real-life classroom.
          - Communicating through writing is different than communicating orally. These pointers cover common issues that may help to convey your ideas more clearly and prevent misunderstandings.

      • Try to keep related ideas organized under separate threads.
          - If you’d like to express a new idea in a particular discussion board, create a new post. The title of your post should be a brief phrase which summarizes your post.
          - If you are replying to someone else’s post, press “Reply.” Do not create a new post.
      • For complex posts, try composing in Word, edit, and then copy/paste into Canvas.
      • Very often people will read postings on a discussion board but not make a reply if it is not required of them. Sometimes students become upset when they see that their post has been read but with no replies. Please do not feel offended.
      • Also, do not feel obligated to respond to a post if you feel it does not require a response. Excessive posts that contain no essential new ideas may create more work for everyone.
      • Please remember that not everyone comes from the same background, or shares the same values and ideals as you.
      • Please be appropriate, professional, and considerate of others.
      • Your “tone” is a very important part of electronic communication.
      • If you are unsure of your tone, try reading your discussion board post out loud before you submit it.
          - When you read it out loud, does it sound the way you would speak to another student in the classroom?
      • The point of the discussion board is to share ideas among your classmates, not to prove that you are right and they are wrong.
      • Differences of opinion are going to occur in any forum, and your goal should be simply to convey your ideas as clearly as possible.
      • Making a joke or being ironic in a discussion board is a great way to break the ice, but you have to let people know your intentions. Even the most innocent of comments can easily be misunderstood.
      • If you wish to convey a humorous tone in your discussion board post, try using emoticons (J), add comments like “Just kidding!” or “LOL” can help.
      • If you find something on the discussion board that strikes you as upsetting or unacceptable, please be sure to let your instructor know about it as soon as possible.
          - Very often, the author of the material does not realize how their words “sound” to you.
          - Dealing with such issues in a straight-forward manner offers a growth opportunity and should be facilitated by the instructor.
          - Not dealing with them will undermine the group process.<

The instructor has the right to remove any discussions that are not appropriate or offend another student. Any student who posts an inappropriate of offensive response will be blocked from participating in the discussion board and will receive an F for that assignment. Students are also subject to classroom behavior and conduct policies in the student code of conduct.

Quizzes

Value: 15% of Grade

There are three short answer quizzes that are to be taken in weeks 2, 4, and 6. The quizzes are open for 24 hours, and have a 15-minute time limit to complete, so pay careful attention to the due dates in the Course Schedule.

Short Papers

Value: 35% of Grade

Focus papers are designed to focus student attention on specific issues or problems implied and suggested by particular texts.  Therefore, the purpose of such an assignment is specifically the reorientation of student thought around what the student perceives as central or critical to the interests of the Arthurian legend and the authors.  In other words, students will define their own theses based on what they consider to be the most important aspects of the text under analysis.  This assignment asks you to “focus” on some aspect or problem of a certain text which particularly interests you. You may choose your own paper topic for this short writing exercise, as long as it has a consistent thread of argument and is pertinent to the material covered in class. Alternatively, a specific topic is given in the assigned week. Please produce something that is well written, interesting, and that does not exceed one single-spaced page. All papers are due by 11:59 pm EST Sunday of the week noted in the Course Schedule.

Exams

Value: 35% of Grade

There are three essay exams that are to be taken in weeks 2, 4, and 6. The exams are available for 24 hours, and have a two-hour time limit to complete, so pay careful attention to the due dates in the Course Schedule.

University Policies

Academic Integrity

According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.   

Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic sanctions, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes (see G-9: Academic Integrity).

Unless your instructor tells you otherwise:

  • Always include an in-text citation that includes the author(s) last name(s) and the year the source was published at the end of any sentence or below any image that includes words, images, or ideas you found in a source, always included quoted text within quotation marks, and always include a reference for any source at the end of your paper (ask your instructor about the format you should use).
  • All of your graded coursework must be created by you without help from anyone in the course or otherwise. If you have questions about this, you should ask your instructor before submitting work for evaluation.
  • All course materials you receive or access are protected by copyright laws. You may use course materials and make copies for your own use, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct and/or liable under Federal and State laws.

Disability Access

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus at https://equity.psu.edu/offices/student-disability-resources/campus-offices. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources website at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources.

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation described at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/applying-for-services. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Penn State's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office offers residential and distance-based Penn State students non-emergency mental health services in the form of case management, community resource referrals, supportive listening, care giver support, and much more.

Students may request assistance from CAPS regarding a variety of common mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and stress. CAPS services are designed to enhance students' ability to fully benefit from the University environment and academic experience. Call CAPS at 814-863-0395 (8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday EST) or submit an inquiry online at https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/form/caps-contact-form to schedule an appointment with a mental health advocate, who can help you address mental health concerns that may interfere with your academic progress or social development. This appointment will include a one-on-one session that can be conducted via telephone, teleconference (Skype, FaceTime, etc.), or locally at Penn State University Park. For more information on services provided through CAPS, please visit the Penn State CAPS website at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/. Students enrolled at the World Campus are also encouraged to visit its Mental Health Services page at http://student.worldcampus.psu.edu/student-services/mental-health-services.

Reminder: These services are for non-emergencies only. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis situation, please call your local crisis center or 911.

Nondiscrimination

Penn State is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University's educational mission, and will not be tolerated. For further information, please visit the Affirmative Action Office website at https://www.psu.edu/dept/aaoffice/.

Reporting a Bias Incident

Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage at http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/.

TEACH Act

The materials on the course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

University Emergency Procedure

In the event of a University-wide emergency, the course may be subject to changes. Exigent circumstances may require alternative delivery methods, class materials, and interactions with the instructor and/or classmates. In addition, there may be revisions to grading policies and the Calendar, including assignments and their due dates.

In the event of a University-wide emergency, please refer to the Canvas website at https://psu.instructure.com for specific information related to the course. For more general information about the emergency situation, please refer to the Penn State website at https://www.psu.edu or Penn State News website at https://news.psu.edu.

To register with PSUAlert, a service designed to alert the Penn State community when situations arise that affect the ability of a campus to function normally, please go to the PSU Alert website at https://psualert.psu.edu/. Subscribers can receive alerts by text message to cell phones, and also can elect to have alerts sent to an email address.

Syllabus Subject to Change

The class will likely adhere to the information outlined in this Syllabus and the Calendar, but adjustments may be made based on what actually transpires during the semester. Remaining in the course after reading this Syllabus will signal that you accept the possibility of changes and responsibility for being aware of them.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due