Ger 1905 Syllabus XXX
Ger 1905 Syllabus XXX
Wakefield: Fall 2016
THE DRAGON SLAYER IN EPIC AND FILM
Ger 1905: Fall 2016
RAY WAKEFIELD
Office: Folwell Hall 328D
O. Phone: 626-3327
Cell: 612-877-2306
Email:
Office Hours: TTh, 10-11am
Course Description and Goals:
Ger 1905 is an introduction to the dragon-slayer narratives and their reception in films. We’ll be pairing written texts with filmic texts, and our engagement with the medieval texts will focus on the chronological and cultural distance from our own era. Three monumental medieval epic texts – the Old English Beowulf, the Middle High German Nibelungenlied, and the Old Norse Saga of the Volsungs – represent southern and northern literary reflexes of a widespread and enormously popular cycle of traditional oral legends dealing with the mythic dragon slayer. The aim is to introduce these epics as well as more modern versions of the legend in order to examine the development of this European narrative tradition. In addition to demonstrating that medieval audiences had a broad awareness of these three medieval versions of the narrative, we will also take the master narrative into its 19th-, 20th , and 21st- century retellings to explore the reception of medieval culture and narrative by modern audiences. A film version of Wagner’s “Siegfried” from the Ring Cycle will demonstrate how the epic material is transformed for 20th- and 21st-century audiences. Other films include Fritz Lang’s epic silent film Siegfried (1924), Uli Edel’s television film Die Nibelungen (2004), and Robert Zemeckis’ bold rendering of Beowulf (2007). We will conclude with a reading of Tolkien’s The Hobbit (1937) and Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013).
REQUIRED TEXTS
Wakefield, Course Reader. (Xerox at Paradigm).
Beowulf (Penguin Classic).
The Saga of the Volsungs (Penguin Classic).
The Nibelungenlied (Penguin Classic).
Tolkien, J. R. R. The Hobbit.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Instructor Expectations
You are expected to attend class, participate actively, and complete assigned reading by the date due. I want everyone to get involved, and will thus provide you with tasks before you tackle the reading assignments and film viewings. You will write two, one-page position papers on selected discussion tasks. After reading your position papers and observing your participation in class, I will determine, topic by topic, whether to award credit toward the short papers & participation portion of your course grade.
COURSE GRADE
SHORT PAPERS & PARTICIPATION 30%
ORAL EXAM 20%
WRITTEN EXAM 20%
TAKE-HOME FINAL/FINAL PROJECT 30%
SYLLABUS
WEEK I: BEOWULF
1. Tuesday, Sep 6
IN-CLASS
INTRODUCTION
FILM: Beowulf, Part I (Zemekis, 2007); First Reactions
2. Thursday, Sep 7
ASSIGNMENTS FOR SESSION 2
Course Reader: “Time-Line”
Beowulf, First Half
IN-CLASS
LECTURE: “Introduction to Beowulf”
FILM: Beowulf, Part II; Comments
WEEK II: BEOWULF
If you are assigned a one-page position paper on a Discussion I topic, send it by
11:15am on Wednesday, Sep 14 via email attachment; copy the other members of
the class; word documents, please; format for the document title à
firstinitial+lastname+datedue (e.g., Doug Sire = DSire9-14)
3. Tuesday, Sep 13
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 3
Beowulf, Conclusion
IN-CLASS
LECTURE: “The Romans and The Germanic Tribes”
FILM: Beowulf, Conclusion; Informal Q&A
Wednesday, Sep 14 One-page position papers due via email (copy me and
everyone in the class; check the assignment sheet)
4. Thursday, Sep 15
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 4
Course Reader: Lionarons, “The Beowulf Dragon”
IN-CLASS
READING ACTIVITY: Beowulf
DISCUSSION I
WEEK III: THE SAGA OF THE VOLSUNGS
5. Tuesday, Sep 20
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 5
The Saga of the Volsungs, First Third
IN-CLASS
LECTURE: “Introduction to the Saga of the Volsungs”
FILM: Gísli Saga, Part I; First Reactions
6. Thursday, Sep 22
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 6
The Saga of the Volsungs, Second Third
IN-CLASS
LECTURE: “The Heroic Age”
FILM: Gísli Saga, Part II; Comments
WEEK IV: THE SAGA OF THE VOLSUNGS
If you are assigned a one-page position paper on a Discussion II topic, send it by
11:15am on Wednesday, Sep 28 via email attachment; copy the other members of
the class; word documents, please; format for the document title à
firstinitial+lastname+datedue (e.g., Linda Dente = LDente9-28)
7. Tuesday, Sep 27
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 4
The Saga of the Volsungs, Conclusion
Course Reader: Lionarons, “Fáfnir” (Old Norse Dragon)
IN-CLASS
FILM: Gísli Saga, Conclusion; Informal Q&A
Wednesday, Sep 28 One-page position papers due via email (copy me and
everyone in the class; check the assignment sheet)
8. Thursday, Sep 29
IN-CLASS
READING ACTIVITY: The Saga of the Volsungs
DISCUSSION II
WEEK V: THE NIBELUNGENLIED
9. Tuesday, Oct 4
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 9
The Nibelungenlied (first third)
IN-CLASS
LECTURE: “Introduction to the Nibelungenlied”
FILM: Siegfried, Part I (Lang, 1924); First Reactions
10. Thursday, Oct 6
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 10
The Nibelungenlied (second third)
IN-CLASS
LECTURE: “Kriemhild’s Revenge”
FILM: Siegfried, Conclusion (Lang, 1924); Informal Q&A
WEEK VI: THE NIBELUNGENLIED
If you are assigned a one-page position paper on a Discussion III topic, send it by
11:15am on Wednesday, Oct 12 via email attachment; copy the other members of
the class; word documents, please; format for the document title à
firstinitial+lastname+datedue (e.g., Barb Lade = BLade10-12)
11. Tuesday, Oct 11
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 11
The Nibelungenlied, Conclusion
Course Reader: Lionarons, “Sîvrit” (Middle High German Dragon)
IN-CLASS
FILM: Die Nibelungen (Edel, 2004); Informal Q&A
Wednesday, Oct 12 One-page position papers due via email (copy me and
everyone in the class; check the assignment sheet)
12. Thursday, Oct 13
IN-CLASS
READING ACTIVITY: The Nibelungenlied
DISCUSSION III
WEEK VII: MIDSEMESTER ORAL EXAM
13. Tuesday, Oct 18
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 13
Review Reading Assignments and Films
IN-CLASS
Review for MIDSEMESTER ORAL EXAM
14. Thursday, Oct 20
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 14
Review Reading Assignments and Films
IN-CLASS
MIDSEMESTER ORAL EXAM
WEEK VIII: WAGNER’S SIEGFRIED
15. Tuesday, Oct 25
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 15
Course Reader: Wagner’s Siegfried, First Half
IN-CLASS
FILM: Wagner’s Siegfried, Part I; First Reactions
16. Thursday, Oct 27
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 16
Course Reader: Wagner’s Siegfried, Conclusion
IN-CLASS
LECTURE: “Introduction to Richard Wagner’s Siegfried”
FILM: Wagner’s Siegfried, Part II; Comments
WEEK IX: WAGNER’S SIEGFRIED
If you are assigned a one-page position paper on a Discussion IV topic, send it by 11:15am on Wednesday, Nov 2 via email attachment; copy the other members of
the class; word documents, please; format for the document title à
firstinitial+lastname+datedue (e.g., Barb Smart = BSmart11-2)
17. Tuesday, Nov 1
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 17
Course Reader: The World of Richard Wagner
IN-CLASS
FILM: Wagner’s Siegfried, Conclusion; Informal Q&A
Wednesday, Nov 2 One-page position papers due via email (copy me and
everyone in the class; check the assignment sheet)
18. Thursday, Nov 3
IN-CLASS
READING ACTIVITY: Richard Wagner
DISCUSSION IV
WEEK X: THE HOBBIT
19. Tuesday, Nov 8
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 19
The Hobbit, First Third
IN-CLASS
FILM: The Hobbit: Smaug, Part I (Jackson, 2013); First Reactions
20. Thursday, Nov 10
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 20
The Hobbit, Second Third
IN-CLASS
LECTURE: “Introduction to Tolkien”
FILM: The Hobbit: Smaug, Part II; Comments
WEEK XI:
If you are assigned a one-page position paper on a Discussion V topic, send it by 11:15am on Wednesday, Nov 16 via email attachment; copy the other members of
the class; word documents, please; format for the document title à
firstinitial+lastname+datedue (e.g., Tom Werp = TWerp11-16)
21. Tuesday, Nov 15
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 21
The Hobbit, Conclusion
Course Reader: Tolkien’s Dragon
IN-CLASS
FILM: The Hobbit: Smaug, Conclusion; Informal Q&A
Introduction to TAKE-HOME FINAL/WRITTEN EXAM
Wednesday, Nov 16 One-page position papers due via email (copy me and
everyone in the class; check the assignment sheet)
22. Thursday, Nov 17
IN-CLASS
READING ACTIVITY: The Hobbit
DISCUSSION V
Review for the WRITTEN EXAM
WEEK XII:
23. Tuesday, Nov 22
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 23
Review for the WRITTEN EXAM
Begin Preparations for the TAKE-HOME FINAL/FINAL PROJECT
IN-CLASS
There is no regular class session; research and review day
Thursday, Nov 24: THANKSGIVING BREAK
WEEK XIII: WRITTEN EXAM
TAKE-HOME FINAL or FINAL PROJECT
24. Tuesday, Nov 29
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 25
Prepare for the WRITTEN EXAM
IN-CLASS
WRITTEN EXAM
25. Thursday, Dec 1
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 25
Prepare for your TAKE-HOME FINAL or FINAL PROJECT
IN-CLASS
Working groups: TAKE-HOME or FINAL PROJECT
WEEK XIV: TAKE-HOME FINAL or FINAL PROJECT
Monday, Dec 5: Send me a one-page abstract of your TAKE-HOME FINAL or
FINAL PROJECT via email by 11:15 am.
26. Tuesday, Dec 6
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 26
One-Page Abstract for your TAKE-HOME FINAL or FINAL ABSTRACT
INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS ON YOUR ABSTRACTS
There will be no regular class session.
Wednesday, Dec 7: Send me a draft (5 pages) of your TAKE-HOME FINAL or
FINAL PROJECT via email by 11:15 am.
27. Thursday, Dec 8
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 27
A draft (5 pages) of your TAKE-HOME FINAL or FINAL PROJECT
INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS ON YOUR DRAFTS
There will be no regular class session.
WEEK XV: TAKE-HOME FINALS or FINAL PROJECTS
28. Tuesday, Dec 113
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 28
Prepare TAKE-HOME FINALS or FINAL PROJECTS
IN-CLASS
Final Discussion; Student Evaluations
Your TAKE-HOME FINAL or FINAL PROJECT is DUE VIA EMAIL by 11:15am on Wednesday, Dec 14.
Course and University Policies for GSD Undergraduate Courses
Student Conduct Code:
The University seeks an environment that promotes academic achievement and integrity, that is protective of free inquiry, and that serves the educational mission of the University. Similarly, the University seeks a community that is free from violence, threats, and intimidation; that is respectful of the rights, opportunities, and welfare of students, faculty, staff, and guests of the University; and that does not threaten the physical or mental health or safety of members of the University community.
As a student at the University you are expected adhere to Board of Regents Policy: Student Conduct Code. To review the Student Conduct Code, please see: http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/academic/Student_Conduct_Code.html.
Note that the conduct code specifically addresses disruptive classroom conduct, which means "engaging in behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor's ability to teach or student learning. The classroom extends to any setting where a student is engaged in work toward academic credit or satisfaction of program-based requirements or related activities."
Use of Personal Electronic Devices in the Classroom:
Using personal electronic devices in the classroom setting can hinder instruction and learning, not only for the student using the device but also for other students in the class. To this end, the University establishes the right of each faculty member to determine if and how personal electronic devices are allowed to be used in the classroom. For complete information, please reference: http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/CLASSROOMPED.html.
Scholastic Dishonesty:
You are expected to do your own academic work and cite sources as necessary. Failing to do so is scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty means plagiarizing; cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; altering, forging, or misusing a University academic record; or fabricating or falsifying data, research procedures, or data analysis. (Student Conduct Code: http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/academic/Student_Conduct_Code.html) If it is determined that a student has cheated, he or she may be given an "F" or an "N" for the course, and may face additional sanctions from the University. For additional information, please see: http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/INSTRUCTORRESP.html.
The Office for Student Conduct and Academic Integrity has compiled a useful list of Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to scholastic dishonesty: http://www1.umn.edu/oscai/integrity/student/index.html. If you have additional questions, please clarify with your instructor for the course. Your instructor can respond to your specific questions regarding what would constitute scholastic dishonesty in the context of a particular class-e.g., whether collaboration on assignments is permitted, requirements and methods for citing sources, if electronic aids are permitted or prohibited during an exam.
Makeup Work for Legitimate Absences:
Students will not be penalized for absence during the semester due to unavoidable or legitimate circumstances. Such circumstances include verified illness, participation in intercollegiate athletic events, subpoenas, jury duty, military service, bereavement, and religious observances. Such circumstances do not include voting in local, state, or national elections. For complete information, please see: http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/MAKEUPWORK.html.
Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials:
Taking notes is a means of recording information but more importantly of personally absorbing and integrating the educational experience. However, broadly disseminating class notes beyond the classroom community or accepting compensation for taking and distributing classroom notes undermines instructor interests in their intellectual work product while not substantially furthering instructor and student interests in effective learning. Such actions violate shared norms and standards of the academic community. For additional information, please see: http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/CLASSNOTESSTUDENTS.html.
Grading and Transcripts:
The University utilizes plus and minus grading on a 4.000 cumulative grade point scale in accordance with the following:
A / 4.000 - Represents achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirementsA- / 3.667
B+ / 3.333
B / 3.000 - Represents achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements
B- / 2.667
C+ / 2.333
C / 2.000 - Represents achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect
C- / 1.667
D+ / 1.333
D / 1.000 - Represents achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements
S / Represents achievement that is satisfactory, which is equivalent to a C- or better.
For additional information, please refer to: http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/GRADINGTRANSCRIPTS.html.
Sexual Harassment
"Sexual harassment" means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment in any University activity or program. Such behavior is not acceptable in the University setting. For additional information, please consult Board of Regents Policy: http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/humanresources/SexHarassment.html