COURSE DESCRIPTION

Heroic-fantasy has become one of the most popular genres of the late twentieth century. From Tolkien to LeGuin, Camelot to Excalibur, much of the appeal Heroic-fantasy seems to rely upon its relation to the "real" feudal middle ages. We will examine contemporary Heroic-fantasy works in light of medieval heroic literature. We will read a number of essays which attempt to theorize the social role of Heroic-fantasy literature, especially issues of gender and contemporary myth. And finally, I hope also to have an ongoing discussion of why "fantasy" and "science-fiction" often are considered similar genres.

REQUIRED TEXTS

BEOWULF: A Norton Critical Edition
LeGuin, Ursula K. Dancing at the Edge of the World
---. The Tombs of Atuan
---. Wizard of Earthsea
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit

Photocopy Package on Reserve

Campbell, Joseph. "The Monomyth"
LeGuin, Ursula. "Myth and Archetype in Science Fiction"
Manlove, C.N. "On the Nature of Fantasy"
Russ, Joanna. "Towards and Aesthetic of Science Fiction"
Thompson, R. H. "Modern Fantasy and Medieval Romance"

REQUIREMENTS

Four 1-Page Response Papers.................. 10%
First Essay (@ 4-6 pgs)............................ 10%
Second Essay (@ 5-7 pgs)........................ 15%
Third Essay (@ 6-8 pgs)............................ 20%
1 Research Project (@ 7-12 pgs)............... 25%
Discussion, Quizzes, etc. ............................ 20%

You will have ample opportunity to edit and revise drafts of your papers through both peer editing sessions and individual consultation with me. Therefore, unless there are extenuating circumstances of epic proportions, I will not accept rewrites of previously graded papers.

In order to pass the class you must turn in all assignments. Note the logic of that phrase; turning in all the assignments does not guarantee a passing grade, but you will most certainly not pass if you fail to turn in an assignment.

All assignments are due at the beginning of each due-date class. I reserve the right to penalize late papers, usually reducing the grade 2/3 per day late. Please do not sacrifice class time for last minute revisions.

All assignments must be typed or word-processed.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

The University's policy regarding academic dishonesty is outlined in the Student Handbook; read it. I will cover proper documentation format in class, but you are ultimately responsible for your own work. This is one topic about which I feel very strongly. I will prosecute a plagiarist to the fullest and most extreme extent of University policy, which may ultimately include:

* F for the class
* irrevocable mark on records
* expulsion
* my general displeasure

When you use a source's exact words (quotation) or a paraphrase or a summary which gives facts, figures, or ideas from the source in your own words, you must document that source within the text of your paper to show what source you have used.

SCHEDULE
(subject to change)

T 2/10
Introduction and brief historical overview

R 2/12
The "Classic" Heroic Epic in the Early Middle Ages
Read: Beowulf (up to Beowulf's return home)

T 2/17
Re-Reading the Classics for Contemporary Audiences
Read: Beowulf (to the end)

R 2/19
The Professional Essay - Audience, Thesis, and Argumentation
Read: Tolkien "The Monsters and the Critics" (in Norton Beowulf)

T 2/24
The "Classic" Heroic Fantasy Work
Read: The Hobbit (Read all of it for today)
First Response Paper Due by this date

R 2/26
Re-Reading Fantasy for Medieval Audiences
Read: The Hobbit

T 3/3
Group Edit of Paper #1

R 3/5
Conferences of Paper #1

T 3/10
Showing of Star Wars
Essay #1 Due

R 3/12
Co-opting the Medieval For Speculative Fiction
Discussion of Star Wars

T 3/17
Theorizing the Heroic
Read: Campbell "The Monomyth"

R 3/19
Contemporary Uses of the Heroic
Read: LeGuin "Myth and Archetype in Science Fiction," and "Heroes"

T 3/24
The Relationship between the Study of the Mediaeval and Speculative Fictions
Read: Russ "Towards and Aesthetic of Science Fiction"
Second Respnse Paper Due by this date

R 3/22
Introduction to Research

T 3/31
Group Edit Essay #2

R 4/2
Conferences Essay #2

T 4/7 Spring Break
R 4/9 Spring Break

T 4/14
The Advent of Medieval Romance
Read: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (read all of it for today)
Essay #2 Due

R 4/16
Gender and the Heroic
Read: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

T 4/21
Theorizing Gender and the Heroic
Read: LeGuin "Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction"

R 4/23
Research Paper Conferences

T 4/28
Speculative Fiction and Identity
Read: Wizard of Earthsea
Third Response Paper due by this date

R 4/30
The Magic of Gender and the Gender of Magic
Tombs of Atuan

T 5/5
Group Edit of Essay #3

R 5/7
Viewing of Alien 3 or Star Trek: First Contact
Essay #3 Due

T 5/12
Gendering Aliens in Science Fiction
Discussion of Movie
Fourth Response Paper Due by this date

R 5/14
Group Edit of Research Paper

T 5/19 Last Day Of Class

Research Papers are Due in My Mailbox By 12:00 noon Thursday 5/21