FALL  2008 CLEN W4021x  Medieval Cosmopolianisms
Prof. Shayne Legassie
course description
As contemporary critics have observed, the concept of "cosmopolitanism" is a promising paradox because it invites individuals and groups to reconsider their obligations to a local community (polis) in light of their role as sojourners in a larger world (cosmos). This course examines the challenges of cosmopolitanism in the European Middle Ages, a time period that is normally excluded from such considerations because of its presumed insularity. Looking to literary genres such as romance, travel narrative, mystical visions, and the frame tale collection, we will examine a range of medieval engagements with the foreign and consider the extent to which those engagements enriched, destabilized, and displaced the conventional ways in which individuals and groups thought about their relationships to the world. We will also consider how our own engagement with medieval cosmopolitanisms challenges the methods we use to study the cultural production of the European Middle Ages. Readings will be in English translation, although students are strongly encouraged to conduct research in at least one other language. This course is designed with the intention of inviting both specialists in medieval European studies as well as non-medievalists who might be interested in the development of travel writing and the cultural history of travel; theories of gender, race, and sexuality; and the history of Europe's contact and exchanges with the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The course will be divided into three units, each of which addresses an emergent area of inquiry in medieval studies: Chivalric Cosmopolitanisms, Mercantile Cosmopolitanisms, and Islamic and Judaic Cosmopolitanisms (readings for each unit below).
course requirements / evaluation
There are two requirements for this course: frequent and meaningful participation in class discussion and one research paper. There are three phases to the research project: (1) A research proposal; (2) a complete first draft of the essay; and (3) the final paper. At each stage of the project, I will work closely with each of you in small groups in order to help you develop your ideas. Graduate students have the choice of writing either two conference papers (8-10 pages each) or one article-length piece (18-20 pages). Undergraduates should submit a final paper that is 12-15 pages in length.
required reading
Some of the required reading for this course will be in the form of very large downloads from Courseworks, which will require you to plan ahead with your printing quota, etc. You can find these readings in the class files folder called "Primary Sources." The rest of the required reading can be purchased at Book Culture, 536 w. 112th St. (between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave.): -- Chrétien de Troyes, The Complete Works of Chrétien de Troyes, Trans. David Staines (Indiana, 1993). -- John Mandeville, The Travels of Sir John Mandeville, Trans. Mosley, (Penguin, 2005). -- Jean de Joinville and Geoffroi de Villehardouin, Chronicles of the Crusades, Trans. M.R.B. Shaw (Penguin, 1963). -- Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, The Narrative of Cabeza de Vaca, Trans. Adorno and Pautz (Univ. of Nebraska, 2003). -- Giovanni Boccaccio, Decameron, Trans. G.H. McWilliam (Penguin, 2003). -- Margery Kempe, The Book of Margery Kempe, Trans.  Barry Windeatt (Penguin, 1994). -- Anonymous, Arabian Nights, Trans. Husain Haddawy (Norton, 1995). -- Amitav Ghosh, In an Antique Land: History in the Guise of a Traveler's Tale (Random House, 1994). -- Benjamin of Tudela, The Itinerary of Benjamin of Tudela: Travels in the Middle Ages, Introductions by Signer and Adler (Nightingale Resources, 2005).
secondary reading
I have scanned a number of articles and placed them on Courseworks. These essays and book chapters provide either historical background, critical thought on specific works, or theoretical/methodological reflections that are relevant to the course. Please feel free to browse through them and read the ones that you find most interesting. When thinking about the research project, these resources may be the most convenient starting place. Graduate students are asked to read one secondary article or book chapter of their choosing per week. Undergraduates will be expected to read one article every two weeks. This requirement is meant to enrich your readings of the works and also help you think about possible topics of interest for the research paper.
time line for the course
unit one	chivalric cosmopolitanisms: a long view
Tue 9/2	Introduction to the Course
Thu 9/4	Chrétien de Troyes, Cliges (in The Complete Works of Chrétien de Troyes)
Tue 9/9	Cliges
Thu 9/11	Jean de Joinville, Life of Saint Louis, in Chronicles of the Crusades
Tue 9/16	Life of Saint Louis; Selections from William of Rubruk (Courseworks)
Thu 9/18	The Travels of Sir John Mandeville
Tue 9/23	The Travels of Sir John Mandeville, selections from Odoric of Pordenone (Courseworks)
Thu 9/25	Pero Tafur (Courseworks)
Tue 9/30	Pero Tafur (Courseworks)
Thu 10/2	The Narrative of Cabeza de Vaca; Documents related to the expeditions of Columbus (These documents will be on Courseworks)
Tue 10/7	The Narrative of Cabeza de Vaca
unit two	mercantile cosmopolitanisms: commerce, spirituality, and intercultural exchange
Thu 10/9	Thomas of Celano, Life of Saint Francis (Courseworks)
Tue 10/14	Boccaccio, Decameron
Thu 10/16	Boccaccio, Decameron
Fri 10/17	Research Proposal Due
Tue 10/21	Boccaccio, Decameron
Thu 10/23	Boccaccio, Decameron
Tue 10/28	The Book of Margery Kempe
Thu 10/30	The Book of Margery Kempe
Tue 11/4	Election Day, No class
Thu 11/6	Croxton Play of the Sacrament (Courseworks)
unit three	judaic and islamic cosmopolitanisms
Tue 11/11	Arabian Nights
Thu 11/13	Arabian Nights
Fri 11/14	Draft of Research Paper due
Tue 11/18	The Travels of Ibn Battuta (Courseworks)
Thu 11/20	The Travels of Ibn Battuta (Courseworks)
Tue 11/25	The Itinerary of Benjamin of Tudela
Thu 11/27	Thanksgiving Day, No Class
Tue 12/2	Amitav Ghosh, In an Antique Land
Thu 12/4	In an Antique Land; Letters of Jewish merchants (Courseworks)
Fri 12/19	Final Essay due