ENGL 202

Spring 2026 All Classes

All Classes

Medieval Literature and Culture

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Credit: 3 hours.

Introduction to the diverse literatures and cultures of the global Middle Ages (approximately 500-1500 CE). Students will read works by medieval authors in Modern English translation, with particular attention to placing works in their historical and material contexts.

Same as CWL 253 and MDVL 201. Prerequisite: Completion of the Composition I requirement.

This course satisfies the General Education Criteria in Fall 2022 for:

Humanities – Lit & Arts

Cultural Studies - Western

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ENGL 202 class schedule data for spring 2026
	CRN	Type	Section	Time	Day	Location	Instructor	Section Details
	43183	Lecture-Discussion	S	2:00PM -3:15PM	TR	149 Henry Administration Bldg	Koepke, C	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 01/20/26-05/06/26 Degree Notes: Humanities - Lit & Arts, and Cultural Studies - Western course. Credit: 3 hours Section Info: SP26 ENGL 202 - Medieval Literature and Culture - Carson Koepke - Reading in the Year 1000 - Have you ever wondered what sorts of stories people were reading for fun a thousand years ago? Together, we will explore the literary and cultural diversity of the Middle Ages by reading and analyzing narrative texts from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Mesoamerica that were being told in or around the year 1000 CE. By focusing on a cross section of world literature from the turn of the first millennium, we will experience how medieval peoples thought about physical and spiritual travel, how they retold epic myths, legends, and origin stories, and how the genre of the medieval romance laid the foundations for the modern novel. Readings in Modern English translation will be sourced from a wide variety of linguistic traditions, including Old English, Arabic, Latin, Coptic, Persian, Chinese, Japanese, and Mayan, written by practitioners of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and other prominent religions. As we read, we will work to place narratives like 'Beowulf' and 'The Tale of Genji' within their wider cultural contexts while also thinking critically about what features and practices unite literature across geographies. The texts will be both weird and wonderful and they will leave you wanting more. Restriction(s): Restricted to Undergrad - Urbana-Champaign.