Kendra Slayton received her PhD from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2019. She specializes in late medieval literature and Middle English, with particular interests in Chaucer studies as well as medieval mysticism. Professor Slayton is also interested in global medieval culture and comparative literary studies, informed in part by her own time living and teaching in Japan between undergraduate and graduate school as part of the JET Programme. Her scholarship has covered topics ranging from the use of classical motifs in medieval romance to the modern medievalisms of authors like Angela Carter, in addition to articles and talks on pedagogy, with publications in journals such as The Chaucer Review and Critique.
Dr. Slayton is originally from Michigan and came to FSU after teaching as a postdoctoral fellow at Georgia Tech and as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Clemson. She joined the FSU Honors Program faculty in 2023. Outside of work, Dr. Slayton enjoys fantasy and sci-fi, yoga, and all things related to food. She also has two cats and would be happy to inundate you with photos.
Nature vs. Nurture in Premodern Europe - IDH 3104
This course applies the framework of the nature vs. nurture debate to the analysis of medieval literature, culture, and society as a way to reflect on larger questions about the definitions of human nature, the social construction of human practices, and the acquisition of individual beliefs. Readings include excerpts from philosophical and theological works as well as literature ranging the Old English Beowulf to the Middle English works of Chaucer (all read in modern translation). Sample projects include a historical context presentation and a final creative adaptation.
Mapping the Middle Ages - IDH 3115
This course explores the global scope of the medieval period, including pilgrimage and travel writing, such as the Canterbury Tales Prologue, as well as comparative world literature. In this course, we’ll study travel writers such as Ahmad ibn Fadlan, a Muslim diplomat who met Viking traders along the Volga River. We’ll also read global literature such as the Mali epic Sunjata; the ancient Ballad of Mulan and Tang dynasty poetry; and premodern Japanese classics like the Tale of Genji. Sample projects include a pilgrimage essay & related badge design project at the Innovation Hub; a historical context presentation; and a final StoryMap research project.
Breaking Barriers: Women in Medieval Europe - IDH 3155
This course investigates the sociocultural and historical context of European medieval women and their achievements in domains such as literature, medicine, domestic life, the church, politics, and even war and rebellion. Students analyze gender as a category of historical analysis and consider issues of authorship, bias, and self-representation when analyzing historical records.