Courses

How can the concept of the subaltern translate into medieval contexts? And how might this help us work productively in rethinking periodicity, nationhood, gender, the representation of minority cultures, marginal literatures, the formation of the cannon, gatekeeping (in the profession), and other instantiations of power and lack of representation within medieval studies and medieval literature? Has the “subaltern,” as a methodology (if one can call it that) already been incorporated into the trajectory of the study of medieval literatures, and to what end? This course looks creatively across disciplines, periods, and languages to test subalternity in a wide array of contexts. From Anglo-Saxon poetry to Aljamiado literature (and more), we will look at how the “subaltern” as a concept and, perhaps, as a dynamic practice, might dialogue with other forms of critical thought, including eco-criticism, queer theory, animal studies, object studies, ethnic studies, and African-American studies.