Race in the Middle Ages

Catalog description

The medieval period is thought of as a time before concepts of race emerged - before the horrors of the Atlantic slave trade, before European colonialism, before scientific racism. It continues to be used to justify the modern phenomena of racialized nationalism and ideologies of whiteness. This course examines some of the stories, images, ideas, and institutions of medieval England. We will ask how race aids our thinking about the way human difference is articulated and how it operated in the Middle Ages. Some readings will be in Middle English; others will be modern English translation. No previous experience with medieval literature is expected.