EGL 190 - Confronting the Canon: Reimagining Beowulf

Course Units: 1.0

In this course we’ll examine one of the oldest and most enduring works of Old English literature, Beowulf. Through critical analysis and discussion, students will confront Beowulf not only as an epic poem but also as a cultural artifact that has evolved through time, shaping and being shaped by its place in the British literary canon. Exploring the complexities of representation, we’ll examine how the text explores hierarchies of identity, power, religion, class, race, and gender. Moreover, this course challenges students to critically engage with Beowulf, questioning conventional interpretations and seeking alternative narratives within the text. By exploring marginalized perspectives and overlooked themes, we will recuperate and amplify voices often silenced in traditional analyses of this canonical text. “Confronting the Canon” courses are required only for English majors. EGL 190, given its subject matter, may alternatively fulfill the pre-1700 for English students. 100-level courses are open to all students. CQ: HUL, WAC, HUM, JLIT