COURSE DESCRIPTION: King Arthur has starred in numerous films, inspired multiple epics and romances, and sits at the center of more conspiracy theories than most figures in history. Dubbed “The Once and Future King” by Thomas Malory in the 15th century, King Arthur has inspired our imaginations for over a millennium. This six-session course will look at the mythical King Arthur from his mysterious origins to his current state of popularity and examine his impact on modern society. We will consider the earliest examples of King Arthur, his immense popularity in the Middle Ages, and why his place in history doesn’t actually matter. With the theme of “Once and Future King,” we will look at his once and our future. Course readings will include medieval Arthurian chronicle and romance, modern fictional adaptation, as well as a viewing of Monty Python’s the Holy Grail.

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COURSE DESCRIPTION: This 6 week course explores representations of the Black Death in medieval literature. We will examine both the experience of the plague as reflected in the works and the various ways people responded to it. Writers such as Petrarch, Boccaccio, Chaucer and William Langland as well as others will be at the center of our conversations about the impact of plague on society, culture, and life. We will attempt to understand this while also shining a light on our own experience with the current pandemic. Outline of the course will be provided before the start of the course via email. We will meet on ZOOM,  6 Wednesdays beginning March 31 from 1-2:30.

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