USSY 267 - Medieval Love Songs: Poetry, Music, Spirituality

Institution:

Case Western Reserve University

Subject:

Description:

In the high and late Middle Ages (c1100-c1450), love songs accounted for much of the poetry and music composed at the secular courts and urban centers of Europe. At the same time, spiritual love songs were an important element of medieval Christian theology and worship. What may surprise a modern audience is that the worldly love songs were often intensely spiritual, while the religious ones were often highly sensual and erotic. This seminar investigates the convergence of worldly and spiritual elements in the poetry and music of medieval love songs. Students will learn basic tools for analyzing medieval poetry and music, and through such analysis, coupled with discussion of readings from the scholarly literature, they will explore the provocative interactions between literal and allegorical, sacred and profane, and ascetic and erotic elements in medieval culture. Primary texts will be drawn from Bernard of Clairvaux's commentaries on the Song of Songs, the courtly lyrics and melodies of the troubadours and trouveres, and the lyric poetry of Dante, Pertrach, and Boccaccio. No prior musical training required. Prereq: Passing letter grade in a 100 level first year seminar in USFS, FSSY, FSCC, FSNA, FSSO or FSCS. Prereq or Coreq: FSTS 100

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.case.edu

Phone Number:

(216) 368-2000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

The Course Profile information is provided and updated by third parties including the respective institutions. While the institutions are able to update their information at any time, the information is not independently validated, and no party associated with this website can accept responsibility for its accuracy.