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ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES 2014
King Arthur:
Investigating the
Myth and Legend
King Arthur: Investigating the Myth and Legend
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Academic programme
The International Summer School is your chance to experience one of the UK’s top
universities, studying one of our accredited pathways.
Our King Arthur pathway is an interdisciplinary course taught by Exeter faculty from the History,
Archaeology and English departments and allows you to immerse yourself in the legend and
explore it from a number of different viewpoints.
The academic programme combines lectures, seminars and workshops plus guided independent
study and is accredited at 15 Exeter credits and 7.5 ECTS credits.
King Arthur: Investigating the Myth and the Legend
Academic Coordinator: Dr Daniel Steinbach
The legend of King Arthur sits at the core of European medieval tradition and has inspired
literature, fine arts and film for a millennium. Yet the Arthur myth is also a prime example of the
interdependency of art, religion, power and politics in the medieval world. By combining history,
archaeology and literary studies, this interdisciplinary module introduces you to the historical origins
of the myth of King Arthur in the early Middle Ages, its popularisation during the 12th century in the
court of Henry II of England, and its subsequent importance for European romantic culture.
The module will encourage you to investigate the
legend of King Arthur and its metamorphoses over
the centuries through different academic and scholarly
methods. You will learn about:
You will also consider specific questions relating to the
legend of Arthur, e.g. the medieval ideas of kingship
and knighthood, the connections between religion,
magic and love.
•the historical background of medieval England and
Europe
•explore the historical works of Geoffrey of
Monmouth
Finally, a visit to Glastonbury as well as Exeter
Cathedral and its rich medieval archives will provide
you with a unique material access to the topic of King
Arthur.
•analyse medieval literature (e.g. Le Morte d’Arthur).
King Arthur: Investigating the Myth and Legend
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internat school 2014
summer
Timetable
Date
Saturday 5 July - Tuesday 8 July
Date
Arrival and orientation in London
This is an opportunity to meet fellow students and visit the major sites including
Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and Globe Theatre
before travelling to Exeter for the academic programme.
Wednesday 9 July
Introduction: Who is King Arthur?
Helen Birkett
Thursday 10 July
The Origins of the Arthur Legend in Early Medieval Britain
Helen Birkett
Friday 11 July
Arthur in Europe: French and German Medieval Literature
Naomi Howell
Medieval Manuscripts: Seminar at the Exeter Cathedral Archive
Naomi Howell
International Pub Quiz
Saturday 12 July
Daytrip to Stonehenge and Bath
Sunday 13 July
Free Day
Monday 14 July
England and Europe in the High Middle Ages
Simon Barton
Medieval Kingship and the Cult of King Arthur
Simon Barton
Tuesday 15 July
Chivalry and Society (1): Knights and Honour
Simon Barton
Chivalry and Society (2): King Arthur and Other Role Models
Simon Barton
Karaoke Night
Wednesday 16 July
Arthur & Archaeology
Duncan Wright
Field Trip to Glastonbury
Duncan Wright
Thursday 17 July
Arthur in late Medieval Literature
John Withrington
Morte d’Arthur
John Withrington
Friday 18 July
Day trip to St Ives
Saturday 19 July
Day trip to the Eden Project
Sunday 20 July
Free day
Monday 21 July
Medieval Court Culture
Catherine Rider
Romance, Courtship and Courtly Love
Catherine Rider
Tuesday 22 July
Magic and the Supernatural
Catherine Rider
The Holy Grail: Arthur and Religion
Catherine Rider
Wednesday 23 July
The Legacy of Arthur: The Gothic Revival in Victorian Britain
John Withrington
Arthur in Film & Fiction in the 20th Century
Catherine Rider
Thursday 24 July
Preparation for presentations
Friday 25 July
Presentations
Gala Dinner
Saturday 26 July
Depart for Heathrow Airport and London
Assessment
Formative Assessment
500 word commentary plan and feedback during seminars
Summative Assessment
2,000 word commentary on an extract from one of the module texts
20 minute group presentation
Key readings
Nick Higham, King Arthur: Myth-making and History (London, 2002)
Christopher Snyder, Exploring the World of King Arthur (London, 2002)
King Arthur: Investigating the Myth and Legend
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internat school 2014
summer
Why study
King Arthur at Exeter?
The Legend of King Arthur belongs to the whole world, but he belongs first and
foremost to the West Country. Tradition has it that Arthur was born at Tintagel, and
is buried at Glastonbury. Merlin supposedly built Stonehenge, while King Arthur’s
Round Table can be seen at Winchester. Cadbury Castle is often associated with
Arthur’s royal court of Camelot, while the magical Isle of Avalon is frequently
associated in legend and fiction with Glastonbury Tor.
King Arthur: Investigating the Myth and Legend
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internat school 2014
summer
Why study
King Arthur at Exeter?
The University of Exeter, located in the county of Devon in the West Country, is the natural place to study
Arthurian legend. Faculty across a range of disciplines – historical, literary, archaeological – combine to give
you an oversight of the fact and fiction behind the myth and legend of the world’s most famous King.
The University of Exeter’s College of Humanities is ranked in the world Top-100 according to the
2013-14 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, reflecting the quality of our research and
teaching.
The University library maintains extensive holdings, extensive audio-visual collections and a
number of medieval manuscripts (including the Syon Collection), while Exeter Cathedral Library
and Archives contain further significant medieval manuscripts, documents and early printed books
making Exeter the perfect choice to study the myth and legend of King Arthur.
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King Arthur:
Investigating the Myth and Legend
Visit our website for full information about the International Summer School
programme including entry requirements, applications, fees and accommodation.
www.exeter.ac.uk/international/summerschool/
Email: [email protected]
www.exeter.ac.uk/international/summerschool/
2014INT010
Tel: +44 (0) 1392 725451