OFFICE: A210D HTW
PHONE: 330-675-8907
EMAIL: clrobins@kent.edu
Yahoo I.D.: postmedievalist
AIM I.D.: postmedievalist
HOME PAGE: cyberspacerobinson.net

OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays & Thursdays by appointment: see the sign-up sheet outside my office door.

ONLINE HOURS: by appointment only
Yahoo I.D.: postmedievalist
AIM I.D.: postmedievalist

Required Texts & Materials:
~~Wilhelm, James J. The Romance of Arthur, New, Expanded Edition: An Anthology of Medieval Texts in Translation. (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities)
~~Cooper, Helen (Ed.), Sir Thomas Malory (Author). Le Morte D'Arthur: The Winchester Manuscript. (Oxford World's Classics)
~~Carroll, Carleton W. (Translator), Chrétien de Troyes (Author). Arthurian Romances. (Penguin Classics)
~~A Connecticut Yankee (1931)
~~Knights of the Round Table (1953)
~~Camelot (1967)
~~Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
~~Excalibur (1981)
~~King Arthur (2004)
~~Dark Age of Camelot (14 Day Free Trial)

Optional Texts:
~~Lacy, Norris J. and Geoffrey Ashe with Debra N. Mancoff. The Arthurian Handbook. (2nd Edition. Garland Publishing, Inc.)
~~Lacy, Norris J. The New Arthurian Encyclopedia. (Garland))
~~White, Richard. King Arthur in Legend and History. (Routledge Publishing, Inc.)

Course Description : Focus is upon how the Arthurian Legends developed and were appreciated within the context of medieval British culture and re-developed with the context of late 20th and early 21st century American culture. Who was Arthur? Who was Merlin? Who was Guenevere? What was Morgan le Fay, really? Where was Camelot -- did it really exist outside the realm of imagination? Where is the line between history and fiction? What defines a legend? We will sample medieval texts from England and France that fall into the genre of medieval Arthurian literature. Some of these works will be read in translation, and not all of them will be read in their entirety. We will also sample contemporary Arthurian films, television programs, video games and other electronic media. Ultimately, this is an exploration of the fine line between fantasy and realism, as well as between the medieval and medievalism.

Attendance, Tardiness, Participation: These classes are your time, your energy, and someone’s money: do not waste them senselessly. You are expected to attend class regularly and to arrive to class on time. You are also expected to come prepared to participate in class. To help you best understand what we are reading or what I am lecturing, I may assign group work or out-of-class projects. There is no grade for any of this work, but not doing it may affect your over-all grade, moving it up one level (such as from a C- to a C) or moving it down a level (such as from a C to a C-). If you miss a class, you alone are responsible for finding out what you missed in class and for doing whatever work has been assigned. Cell phones must be set to "silent" mode (or shut off) during class--if a phone rings in class, I reserve the right to answer that phone; if I see someone text-messaging, I reserve the right to respond to your corespondant. Assignments turned in after the deadline will be accepted and graded, but for each day that work is late (including each weekend day) .5% of the grade will be lowered--no exceptions, except approved excuses. Approved excuses must be documented and may include the following examples: illness of yourself or your child, a death of a family member, religious observance, or an official school activity. In-class group projects and similar work may not be made-up for any reason.

Assignments:
Mid-Term Exam (20%): This exam will be in two parts and will be comprehensive: one part will be a take-home essay-style exam; the second part will be an in-class (closed books/closed notes) style exam.
Researched Project and/or Creative Project (50%)
Final Exam (30%): This exam will be comprehensive. It will be a take-home style exam that will involve an exploration of Dark Age of Camelot.

Early Alert Process: This process allows me to refer you to the Campus Early Alert Coordinator if you appear to be having difficulty in the class. Signs of such difficulty include: excessive absences, missing assignments, lack of preparation for class, and sleeping in class.

Students with Disabilities:
Kent State University recognizes its responsibility for creating an institutional climate in which students with disabilities can succeed.  In accordance with university policy, if you have a documented disability, you may request accommodations to obtain equal access and to promote your learning in this class.  Please contact the disability coordinator on campus, Elaine Shively, office 242E in the Learning Center, Classroom/Administration Building, (330) 675-8932 or eshively@kent.edu.  After your eligibility for accommodations is determined, you will be given a letter, which when presented to instructors, will help us know best how to assist you.

Administrative, Academic and University Policies:
Students with Disabilities: http://www1.kent.edu/policyreg/chap3/3-01-3.cfm
Cheating & Plagarism: http://www1.kent.edu/policyreg/chap3/3-01-8.cfm
Classroom Disruption: http://www1.kent.edu/policyreg/chap4/4-02-2.cfm
Class Absence: http://www1.kent.edu/policyreg/chap3/3-01-2.cfm
Final Exams: http://www1.kent.edu/policyreg/chap3/3-01-4.cfm
Academic Complaints: http://www1.kent.edu/policyreg/chap8/8-01-4.cfm