Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Anonymous
3 credits | 12-week course | Classic book-club rhythm

Course Description

Delve into the world of chivalric romance as we learn about one of the foundational stories of Arthurian Legend, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Written by an anonymous poet in the 14th Century, it is a tale of faith, harrowing trials and temptations, and how everyone—even the most courageous knight—is still human and fallible. Students will read through this poem a few stanzas per week, analyze the religious symbolism and history throughout, and gain insight into the native Middle English in which the poem was first written. 

Required Text

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Simon Armitage | Amazon

Armitage, Simon. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight; W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y., 2007. (ISBN 9780393334159)

SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT
Copyright ©2007 by Simon Armitage, All rights reserved.
Printed by W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Due to the nature and age of the story, this text and its particular translation is required for the course, as it was written specifically in a more easily approachable English and contains a complete transcription of the text in its native, Middle English. You may not substitute another translation.

Course Objectives

• Interpret Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as a literary work, demonstrating understanding of its narrative structure, historic language, poetic form, symbolism, and major Christian themes. 
  
• Analyze medieval Christian moral thought as it appears throughout the poem, such as the concepts of sin, virtue, temptation, confession, and divine judgement. 
  
• Comparing the ideals of worldly chivalry and courtly culture to Godly ethics; what makes a faithful knight? What makes a faithful Christian? 
  
• Reflect critically and personally on modern morality; How does Gawain’s Quest examine fear, integrity, truth, and mercy? What was the Gawain Poet trying to convey about ethics?

Weekly Rhythm

1. Read the assigned stanzas.
2. Complete each weekly reading quiz (Multiple choice / True-False)
3. Write a 200-300 word personal reflection according to the weekly prompt.
4. Post one discussion thread (150-300 words) + reply to two classmates.
5. Participate in live or asynchronous group discussions.
6. Write a final paper (1,200-1,500 words).

Grading

A = 270+ , B = 240+ , C = 210+, D = 170+, F = <170