Origins of European Literature
Code: 108169Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities and Management of Culture | OB | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Jordi Cerdà Subirachs
- Email :
- jordi.cerda@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
This course has no prerequisites
Objectives
-To understand the development of medieval European literature as a multilingual and culturally diverse phenomenon in which vernacular languages gradually acquired literary prestige.
-To study medieval literary genres, focusing on their forms, themes and aesthetic models, as well as the social and gender structures that shaped their production and reception.
-To examine how medieval literature constructs representations of men and women, identities, emotional relationships and models of behaviour.
-To recognise women’s participation in the production, transmission and preservation of medieval literary culture, moving beyond an exclusively male-centred view of the canon.
-To critically analyse the relationship between literature, power and cultural authority, considering who has access to writing and who is excluded from historical records.
-To incorporate a comparative perspective that enables the study of the circulation of literary models and the different ways in which they were reinterpreted according to linguistic and social contexts.
-To value medieval vernacular literature as a space for the negotiation of cultural and gender identities, where both dominant values and the tensions and resistance surrounding them are expressed.
-To develop a critical reading of the medieval canon based on current scholarship, integrating feminist contributions and historical perspectives that broaden our understanding of European literature.
Learning outcomes
- CM17 (Interpret literary texts to explain fundamental problems of the human condition.) Interpret literary texts to explain fundamental problems of the human condition.
- CM18 (Compare literary texts from innovative points of view that critically consider the gender perspective, otherness or ethnocentrism.) Compare literary texts from innovative points of view that critically consider the gender perspective, otherness or ethnocentrism.
- KM25 (Recognise how European narratives have contributed to driving social change in European and global society and to developing critical discourses on gender.) Recognise how European narratives have contributed to driving social change in European and global society and to developing critical discourses on gender.
- KM26 (Identify the main genres and themes of the first literatures in vulgar of medieval Europe and their contribution to the configuration of European identity.) Identify the main genres and themes of the first literatures in vulgar of medieval Europe and their contribution to the configuration of European identity.
- KM27 (Recognise the most significant works and authors of the Catalan and Hispanic literary tradition, placing them in their historical and cultural context and identifying their dialogue with other Western literatures.) Recognise the most significant works and authors of the Catalan and Hispanic literary tradition, placing them in their historical and cultural context and identifying their dialogue with other Western literatures.
- KM28 (Recognise aspects of classical Greco-Roman literature as they have influenced Western culture and education.) Recognise aspects of classical Greco-Roman literature as they have influenced Western culture and education.
- KM29 (Explain European literature in its historical and political dimension, as a fundamental factor in global cultural interrelation.) Explain European literature in its historical and political dimension, as a fundamental factor in global cultural interrelation.
- SM26 (Critically interpret literary works taking into account the relationships between the different areas of literature and the relationship of literature with the different human, artistic and social areas.) Critically interpret literary works taking into account the relationships between the different areas of literature and the relationship of literature with the different human, artistic and social areas.
- SM27 (Compare literary texts from different traditions and genres, identifying their similarities and differences in the context of world literature.) Compare literary texts from different traditions and genres, identifying their similarities and differences in the context of world literature.
- SM28 (Use theoretical approaches and methodologies for analysing the literary text that are suitable for carrying out a critical approach to essential themes and genres in the literary tradition.) Use theoretical approaches and methodologies for analysing the literary text that are suitable for carrying out a critical approach to essential themes and genres in the literary tradition.
- SM29 (Present orally and in writing projects for the analysis of the literary tradition, demonstrating a deep understanding of the texts and their historical and cultural context.) Present orally and in writing projects for the analysis of the literary tradition, demonstrating a deep understanding of the texts and their historical and cultural context.
Contents
1. Medieval Europe: languages, cultures and literary transmission
-European literature as a multilingual space.
-Latin and vernacular languages: linguistic and cultural hierarchies.
-Orality, writing and textual authority.
-Literary transmission and the role of women’s communities:
women’s religious spaces,
aristocratic patronage,
the preservation and circulation of texts.
2. The medieval construction of gender identities
-Representations of masculinity and femininity in medieval literature.
-The relationship between literature, power, marriage, religion and social organisation.
-Differences between women’s historical experience and its literary representation.
3. From orality to written vernacular literature
-The incorporation of vernacular languages into the realm of high literature.
-Who writes, who transmits and who legitimises literature.
-Medieval authorship and its collective forms.
-The visibility and invisibility of women’s voices.
4. Vernacular love poetry: fin’amors and gender
-Occitan lyric poetry as a European model.
-The literary construction of the lady and the lover.
-Women as poetic objects and as potential subjects of literary voice.
-Tensions between idealisation, desire and power.
-Female voices in medieval lyric poetry:
women’s songs,
folk poetry,
preserved works by female authors.
5. Epic poetry, heroes and models of masculinity
-Medieval European epic poetry.
-The warrior hero and feudal values.
-Honour, violence, lineage and power.
-The portrayal of women in epic poetry.
6. Chivalric narrative and new forms of subjectivity
-From the epic hero to the courtly knight.
-Love, adventure and the formation of the individual.
-Contemporary reinterpretations of Arthurian literature through the lens of gender studies.
7. Contemporary reinterpretations of the European medieval canon
-The literary canon and its selection processes.
-The rediscovery of marginalised authors and traditions.
-New perspectives:
feminist studies,
gender studies,
cultural history,
analysis of the relationship between literature and power.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory readings | 62 | 2.48 | CM17, CM18, KM25, KM26, KM27, KM28, KM29, SM26, SM27, SM28, SM29 |
| Teamwork and study | 40 | 1.6 | CM17, CM18, KM25, KM26, KM27, KM28, KM29, SM26, SM27, SM28, SM29 |
| Commentary on literary and critical texts | 15 | 0.6 | CM17, CM18, KM25, KM26, KM27, KM28, KM29, SM26, SM27, SM28, SM29 |
| Lectures | 33 | 1.32 | CM17, CM18, KM25, KM26, KM27, KM28, KM29, SM26, SM27, SM28, SM29 |
The course is delivered using an active methodology, based on student participation and the shared construction of literary knowledge. Each student's preparatory work—based on readings, textual commentaries, bibliographical materials and resources provided via the Virtual Campus—will form the starting point for the face-to-face sessions and for the analysis and discussion activities.
The classes will combine the presentation of core content with practical activities in textual interpretation, comparative reading and critical debate. In a hybrid format, and depending on the objectives of each session, methodologies such as problem-based learning, the flipped classroom and collaborative work will be incorporated, especially in the analysis of translated medieval texts and the study of the relationships between the different European literary traditions.
The classroom is conceived as a space for scholarly discussion and the exchange of ideas, where individual work and participation in the class group will be combined. A critical approach to literary texts will be encouraged, taking into account both their historical and cultural contexts and the processes of transmission, transformation and reception that have shaped medieval European literature.
The student will be required to maintain continuous and active engagement with the course, both in preparing the readings and in participating in the proposed activities and class discussions.
Regular use of the Virtual Campus will be required, as this tool will provide teaching materials, readings, bibliographic guidance and any information related to the course's development.
CLASSROOM RULES
Classes will start promptly.
15 minutes of one class, within the timetable set by the institution/programme, will be reserved for students to complete the teaching staff performance and module evaluation surveys.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-term exam | 40% | 0 | 0 | CM17, CM18, KM25, KM26, KM27, KM28, KM29, SM26, SM27, SM28, SM29 |
| Coursework | 40% | 0 | 0 | CM17, CM18, KM25, KM26, KM27, KM28, KM29, SM26, SM27, SM28, SM29 |
| Oral presentation | 20% | 0 | 0 | CM17, CM18, KM25, KM26, KM27, KM28, KM29, SM26, SM27, SM28, SM29 |
Assessment System
The assessment activities for the continuous assessment mode are as follows (see the table above):
1. Exam (40%, recoverable): a practical-theoretical test, held in class. The date will be announced at the start of the course and the information will be posted on the Virtual Campus.
2. Coursework (40%, recoverable): a practical-theoretical test on the content covered throughout the course, to be completed in class and at home. The date will be announced at the start of the course and the information will be posted on Campus Virtual.
3. Oral presentation (20%, non-recoverable): a 10-minute oral presentation consisting of a well-reasoned, critical synthesis of a scientific paper related to the course content. The schedule for the oral presentations will be uploaded to Campus Virtual at the beginning of the term.
Resit System
A global mark of 5 or higher is required to pass the module. If you have only participated in one assessment activity, the final grade will be “Not Graded”.
If the module has not been passed, a resit is available, consisting of a practical and theoretical exam during the period established by the faculty for this purpose. To be eligible to take this resit, students must meet two requirements:
1. If following the continuous assessment mode, you must have submitted at least a set of activities equivalent to 2/3 of the final mark; for those following the single assessment mode, it is essential to have handed in all assessment activities; and
2. A global mark of over 3.5 is required.
Important notes:
It is assumed that the student must write texts with full content and correct spelling and grammar. Cohesion errors will be penalised, as will those of spelling and punctuation, each deducting 0.25 points from the final mark for the activity. It is also assumed that students are familiar with the standard rules for the presentation of academic work, which, within the limits of the exam format, must be applied.
On plagiarism: If a student commits any irregularity that could lead to a significant change in the mark for an assessment, that assessment will be marked as 0, regardless of any disciplinary proceedings that may be initiated. In the event that multiple irregularities occur in the assessment exercises for the same module, the final grade for that module will be 0.
On the use of artificial intelligence (AI): In this module, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted as an integral part of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution from the student in the analysis and personal reflection. The student must: 1) identify which parts have been generated with AI; 2) specify the tools used; 3) include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final outcome of the activity. A lack of transparency regarding the use of AI will be considered academic dishonesty and will result in the activity being marked as 0.
Bibliography
Selected Bibliography
Burns, E. Jane (1993). Bodytalk: When Women Speak in Old French Literature. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press
Cerdà, Jordi et al. (2012) Literatura europea dels orígens: introducció a la literatura romànica medieval. Barcelona, UOC.
Cirlot, Victoria (2024). Figuras del destino. Mitos y símbolos en la novela artúrica medieval. Madrid: Siruela.
Farmer, Sharon (2003) Gender and Difference in the Middle Ages, Sharon Farmer y Carol Braun Pasternack (eds.). Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Ferrante, Joan M. (1975). Woman as Image in Medieval Literature. New York : Columbia University Press
Huchet, Jean-Charles (1990). Littérature médiévale et psychanalyse. Paris: PUF.
Riquer, Isabel de (2013). La lírica medieval. Barcelona: UOC.
Zink, Michel (1993) Introduction à la littérature française du Moyen Âge. Paris: Le Livre de Poche
Zumthor, Paul (2006). Poesía y la voz en la civilización medieval. Madrid: Ábada
Course readings will be indicated and provided throughout the course.
Software
In order to prepare the support material for the oral interventions, the common programs of the office packages are suggested (as PowerPoint, Keynote, OpenOffice Impress, Publisher and Open Office Draw, among others) y teh computer application Prezi (https://prezi.com/es/) or Canva (https://www.canva.com/es_es/).
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |