Literature, Media, and Medievalism in the Non-Anglophone Classroom: The Case of Taiwan

Teaching medieval English literature in a non-Anglophone classroom presents challenges, as students are often unfamiliar with the cultural context of medieval Europe. This paper discusses how the subject is taught in Taiwan, highlighting how students in my classroom explore medieval elements in modern media and adaptations as they conduct research on topics of their own choice. Three student-selected topics are shared: the film The Green Knight, the Japanese mobile game Fate/Grand Order, and Arthurian-themed tarot decks. While the analyses of these papers may not be fully developed and mature, they show students’ critical thinking and creativity as they engage with contemporary media. Through these explorations, medieval studies become more accessible and relevant. By sharing this teaching experience, the paper aims to demonstrate how modern media and entertainment can motivate students in the non-Anglophone classroom to think critically and creatively about medieval English literature.