Introduction to Reading Medieval Britain and Beyond

About this course

The course examines how people in medieval Britain understood journeys, distant places, other peoples and the supernatural world. Learners work with cultural artefacts and translated extracts from writers including Geoffrey of Monmouth, Gerald of Wales, Marie de France, Jacobus de Voragine and Dante, alongside travel and exploration accounts. Teaching is discussion-based, with guidance through the historical and literary contexts of each extract. The course considers how medieval beliefs differed from those of contemporary Britain, and how ideas about places and peoples contributed to cultural identity.

What you'll learn

• Interpret short extracts from medieval literature
• Explain medieval attitudes towards people and places
• Discuss texts in relation to historical and literary contexts
• Evaluate imagery and symbolism in medieval artefacts and literature
• Use relevant terminology when discussing the material

Is this course right for you?

This course is intended for anyone interested in the subject and does not require previous knowledge. Participation involves reading translated pre-modern texts, discussing them with other learners and considering concepts that may differ from modern perspectives.

• No previous knowledge is necessary
• Learners are expected to contribute to text discussions
• The course includes collaborative consideration of other learners’ responses

Before you go

• Extracts are provided, so learners do not need to buy texts.
• There is no work to complete outside class.