“Reading Old French”
Mediterranean Studies Summer Skills Seminar
21–24 July 2025 • Remote
The Summer Skills Seminar, “ Reading Old French” will be held via Zoom from Monday, 21 July to Thursday, 24 July 2025 from 10am to noon and 1pm to 3pm MDT.
Course overview
Old French emerged, as of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, as a particularly important European vernacular. Texts in dialects of Old French were produced not only in the northern two thirds of present-day France but also in England, Italy, the Holy Land, and elsewhere. Many of the texts and genres associated with Old French left major marks on medieval European culture, as evidenced by the diffusion of manuscripts, translations, allusions, excerptions, and so forth. The influence of Old French texts spilled, that is, beyond national and linguistic borders—and even far beyond the Middle Ages.
For instance, the bloody Chanson de Roland, the most studied chanson de geste, raises enormous questions about medieval warrior culture and religious difference. In a quite different vein, the trouvères, who were inspired by the Occitan-language troubadours, composed love lyrics that interrogate the nature of love, desire, and the subject. Old French is perhaps best-known as the language of chivalric romance. Initially writing in verse, romancers found their inspiration in ancient Roman works and the captivating love stories of the matière de Bretagne. The greatest monuments of verse romance include the dramatic, illicit Tristan material and the crafty, slippery Arthurian fictions of Chrétien de Troyes. Later, romance largely migrated into prose, where vast cycles testify to the persistent fascination with, in particular, Arthurian literature. Alongside these more studied genres, there is a large, vibrant, twisted and fascinating hagiographic tradition. There are (potentially) less “courtly” texts, too, such as the naughty, scabrous fabliaux. There are, moreover, influential historical compendiums, as well as didactic and more technical texts. And, of course, there are documents of all sorts: letters, charters, and so forth.
This seminar proposes a hands-on introduction to (or refresher of) reading medieval French. We will look at literary works associated with a wide variety of genres, as well as some non-literary documents; texts ranging from the first texts written in French (ninth century) through the late Middle Ages; texts written in different dialects of langue d’oïl; and texts from across Europe and the Mediterranean basin. Some attention will be paid, too, to looking at texts in their manuscript contexts.
The goal is to provide participants with a solid foundation for reading and understanding the manuscripts and texts produced in dialects of Old French. This course will not only further their own research but also provide them with a bona fide (in the form of a certificate of completion for those who attend the full seminar), which may be advantageous in securing grants or other funding for research and travel. The ability to do research with primary sources is a skill relatively few doctoral students master, and it enhances the research profile and CV of academic job-seekers.
Previous Participants said:
“It was a great course. An excellent combination of grammar and varied texts. It was quite intensive, but I am amazed at how much we were able to do and learn in such a short period of time. Charlie was excellent. Well prepared; clear in presentation; gracious; patient, and very knowledgeable.”
“The course was incredibly interesting and educational. I enjoyed the verity of the academic level of the participants, it enriched the course and the learning process. In addition, the encounter with the different kinds of sources was helpful and renewed my interest with each meeting (even as late as 11:00 PM). Prof. Samuelson was a great and attending teacher. His instructions were clear and incredibly helpful, and he managed to create a supportive and encouraging learning environment in the little time we had.”
“Charlie was an outstanding instructor. It must be hard to start from ground zero, even with motivated students. He approached our various skill levels with patience and understanding. I'd take a second course from him in a heartbeat.”
“This course was fantastic. I’m not sure how Charlie managed to pack so much into four days and have it be so well organized. This was a really excellent introduction that got me started reading Old French texts.”
“The seminar was an extraordinary and very helpful introduction to the grammar and beauty of Old French. Professor Samuelson focused on critical aspects of syntax while each day offering us the opportunity to translate OF texts. The course environment was collaborative and friendly, adding to the positive experience.”
“This course provided an excellent starting point for accessing Old French. Charlie provided several great reference texts, and the group was very proactive in working together through these texts. I feel like his tips and tricks and slides are going to be immensely helpful in the future.”
“I really enjoyed the course! It was intense and fast-paced but we were given time to ask questions and work through any problems we had. I can’t believe we got through that much content in four days!”
“Excellent use of time, regular opportunities to ask questions, professor feedback and responses were helpful. Professor showed deep knowledge of the field which was very helpful in responding to the variety of questions that students asked.”
Faculty
The course will be conducted by Prof. Charlie Samuelson (Dept. of French and Italian, University of Colorado Boulder), a specialist of medieval French literature. His research uses close textual analysis and looks to both medieval learned culture and modern theory to take to task entrenched notions about the gender and sexual politics of medieval texts. His monograph, Courtly and Queer: Deconstruction, Desire, and Medieval French Literature appeared in 2022 with the Ohio State University Press. He is currently working on a new project about representations of sexual consent in medieval French literature and culture
Application & Information
Application & Information
Applicants should have at least an intermediate reading knowledge of French.
Please note: sessions will not be recorded; synchronous attendance is required.
The regular application period is until April 28.
Applicants will be advised of acceptance by May 5. Payment is due on May 12. Applicants waiting on a grant or subvention may request an extension for the second payment.
Late applicants may be accommodated if space remains. Full payment will be due within three days of acceptance, including a $75 surcharge for late applications.
All payments are final and non-refundable. A letter of confirmation/ receipt will be provided by the Mediterranean Seminar, together with a certificate of completion once the course has concluded.
Apply via this form.
For further information or inquiries, contact mailbox@mediterraneanseminar.org subject: “Summer Skills Information”)
Fees
• $1100 for Full Professors, Librarians & Professionals
• $825 for tenured Associates, Emerita/us, Retired Faculty, Independent Scholars & Non-Academics;
• $575 for non-tenured Associates and Assistants, Postdoctoral Fellows & Graduate and Undergraduate students;
• $400 for Adjuncts, Lecturers & Contingent faculty.
Members of University of Colorado departments may be eligible for a discount.
Limited reductions are offered to applicants who are (1) nationals; (2) current residents; (3) AND faculty or students in low-per-capita GDP countries may apply for a reduction (the Low-GDP Bursary program).
Payment information will be provided at the time of acceptance. Posted fees do not include a 5% processing fee.
All fees are non-refundable.
How do we determine our fees?
Why have our fees gone up?
Can I get a reduction in fees?
What is the low-GDP Bursary program?
Proposed Program
Monday, 21 July 2025
10am—noon & 1—3pm
1. Introduction. Old French grammar, dialects, and literature.
2. Marie de France’s Anglo-Normand
Tuesday, 22 July 2025
10am—noon & 1—3pm
1. Trouvère lyrics
2. Chansons de geste
Wednesday, 23 July 2025
10am—noon & 1—3pm
1. The Old French of Chrétien de Troyes
2. Prose romance
Thursday, 24 July 2025
10am—noon & 1—3pm
1. Vernacular hagiography and religious texts
2. Didactic texts from (in particular) the Latin Orient
Important dates:
Application period: 28 April 2025
Acceptance/stand by notifications: 5 May 2025
Full payment: 12 May 2025 (subject to extension for late applicants/ or pending grants)
NOTE: Numbers are limited; participants are encouraged to apply early.
Information
For general information regarding fees, enrollment, and administrative matters, contact the Mediterranean Seminar; for questions regarding seminar content and materials, contact the instructor directly.