University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/infoug/ugtimetable.html

Who made books in the later Middle Ages? Who read them? What did people read, and what kinds of books did they own? This module combines the study of medieval texts with the study of medieval books and their readers. Using Chaucer's fictional representation of late medieval English society in the 'Canterbury Tales' this module considers what ordinary literate people might have read in the century from the 1390s to the death of Caxton. What books would the Knight, Friar, Yeoman, Man of Law, Physician, Merchant and Cook have needed? How might the reading of the Monk, Clerk, Prioress, Nun, and Wife of Bath have differed and why? The module explores a wide range of extracts from later Middle English texts (historical, legal, medical, scientific, practical, devotional, fictional, hagiographical); considers particular kinds of books (bibles, books of hours, miscellanies, anthologies); and engages with material aspects of manuscripts and printed books through use of Special Collections.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass EN2003 and pass EN2004 or pass ME1003 and pass ME1006 and pass ME2003 and pass HI2001

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: One 2-hour class per week for 11 weeks

Scheduled learning hours: 22

Guided independent study hours: 278

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%

Re-assessment: 4000-word essay = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Professor M Connolly
Module teaching staff: Dr Margaret Connolly
Module coordinator email mc29@st-andrews.ac.uk