Syllabus
February 21 LD: Introduction
February 28 LD: The Ancient Rhetorical Tradition
March 7 LD: The Bible
March 14 (17:30-19:00) Jeff Rider: Enigma in 12th century France I (Marie de France)
March 16 (10:50-12:20) Jeff Rider: Enigma in 12th century France II
March 21 (17:30-19:00): Jeff Rider: Arthurian Enigma (Chrétien de Troyes)
March 23 (10:50-12:20) Jeff Rider: Perpetual Enigma
March 28 LD: The art of memory and mnemonics
April 4 Jan Dienstbier: Obscurity and the visual arts in the Middle Ages
April 11 LD: Exegesis, Allegory and Education
April 18 LD: Obscurity and the Manuscript Page
April 25 NO CLASS - READING WEEK
May 2 LD: Prophecy
May 9 NO CLASS - writing assignment due (1 paragraph – obscure text)
May 16 LD: Final discussion of studentsʼ obscure texts
Annotation
Obscurity in the Middle Ages
This course is taught together by Lucie Doležalová (Charles Uni.) and Jeff Rider (Wesleyan Uni., USA). It is an introduction to the study of the ways we create meanings when we read texts or encounter other puzzling sources. It will cover a variety of source types – literary texts, wall-paintings, scientific and theoretical sources, and will discuss both chance and deliberate obscurity. The texts will be examined in the light of the classical and medieval concepts of enigma, the marvelous (wonderful), fabula, and allegory as well as some modern theoretical works about how we understand narratives. We will seek to understand why deliberate obscurity is an important part of literature and how medieval authors created narratives that seem particularly meaningful precisely because they are obscure. We will consider why we feel these texts have meaning and the ways in which we make them meaningful to us.
Course requirements:
- Active participation in class
- Readings for every week (excerpts)
- One oral presentation during the course (5 minutes – present a summary of selected source)
- A brief writing assignment (1 paragraph – write your own obscure text)
The courses take place in “Týmová studovna” (Team study room) at the main building of the Faculty of Arts (nám. Jana Palacha 2), within the library, i.e. in the souterrain. The room number is S214. It is on Wednesdays 16:40-18:10 unless noted otherwise - please note that there are two extra classes in March when Professor Rider is here, while there are two classes less towards the end to compensate the extra work.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me: Lucie Doležalová lucie.dolezalova@ff.cuni.cz or phone: 605-758079.
February 21 LD: Introduction
February 28 LD: The Ancient Rhetorical Tradition
March 7 LD: The Bible
March 14 (17:30-19:00) Jeff Rider: Enigma in 12th century France I (Marie de France)
March 16 (10:50-12:20) Jeff Rider: Enigma in 12th century France II
March 21 (17:30-19:00): Jeff Rider: Arthurian Enigma (Chrétien de Troyes)
March 23 (10:50-12:20) Jeff Rider: Perpetual Enigma
March 28 LD: The art of memory and mnemonics
April 4 Jan Dienstbier: Obscurity and the visual arts in the Middle Ages
April 11 LD: Exegesis, Allegory and Education
April 18 LD: Obscurity and the Manuscript Page
April 25 NO CLASS - READING WEEK
May 2 LD: Prophecy
May 9 NO CLASS - writing assignment due (1 paragraph – obscure text)
May 16 LD: Final discussion of studentsʼ obscure texts