Description
The course focuses on the figure of the knight, its historical development, and its role in current culture, including in the development of the American concept of citizenship. Although the United States Constitution expressly forbids its citizens from holding knighthood or royal titles, the figure of the medieval knight and the values he represents hold strong sway over the national imagination and affect our attitudes toward honor, social conduct, and behavior in the face of danger. Through examination of selected works of poetry, prose, and non-fiction, this course examines the role of knighthood and European ?chivalry? in contemporary society.