HIS-10025: Medieval Europe

School of Humanities

HIS-10025

Medieval Europe

Co-ordinator:

Dr Philip Morgan Room: CBB0.048, Tel:33204

Teaching Team:

Miss Amanda Roberts, Mrs Christine Edge, Miss Jo-Anne Watts

Lecture Time:

See Timetable...

Level:

1

Credits:

15

150

School Office:

Tel: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for

History Dual Honours (Level 1)
History Major (Level 1)
History Minor (Level 1)
History Single Honours (Level 1)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description

Medieval Europe offers a wide-ranging introduction to a formative period of European history, the eleventh to thirteenth centuries. This was a time of tremendous social, political, economic and intellectual transformation, indeed a time, according to many historians, when European civilisation as we know it was created. Having safely negotiated the year 1000, which many believed would bring the second Coming of Christ and the end of the world, Medieval Europe embarked upon a phenomenal expansion over the following centuries that would see the creation of new political entities and institutions, increasing urbanisation and expanding trade, and the extension of Christianity and European civilisation to the peripheries. The increasing development of a European identity, however, had grave implications for those living on the margins or who were deemed to be outsiders and the module will explore the increasing persecution of heretics and Jews through the development of institutions such as the Inquisition and violent encounters during the crusades.

The module will address a number of key topics including: power structures and the political development of Europe; the economy, urbanisation and the expansion of trade; the significance of the Church in providing a cohesive bond for medieval society; heresy and deviance; Jews and other outsiders in Medieval Europe and the question of whether medieval Europe was a persecuting society; and finally the crusades and medieval Europe's relations with the wider world.

The module is taught by leading scholars of medieval Europe through weekly lectures and weekly small group seminars. There are rich online resources and a range of stimulating course set-books.

No previous knowledge of medieval Europe is assumed and the module will appeal to all students interested in how historical developments can cast light on current problems and dilemmas, as well as being a vital module for students taking principal history.

Preliminary reading.

William C. Jordan, Europe in the High Middle Ages (Penguin, 2002)

Barbara Rosenwein, A short History of the Middle Ages (University of Toronto Press, 3rd edition, 2009) which is richly illustrated and has good maps.

The course looks to introduce first-year students to the study of the most significant political, economic, social and religious developments in European history of the eleventh to thirteenth centuries, in order to advance students&© historical knowledge by enabling them to assess the balance between change and continuity, and to relate detailed evidence and case studies to more general issues, as well as to make critical evaluations of different historical explanations.

Intended Learning Outcomes

To acquire a broad understanding the most significant political, economic, social and religious developments in European history of the eleventh to thirteenth centuries. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
To develop the ability to assess the balance between change and continuity, and to relate detailed evidence and case studies to more general issues. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
To develop the ability to make critical evaluations of different historical explanations. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
To develop general skills in reading effectively, note-taking from lectures and reading material, oral presentation and debate, and essay writing and exam revision. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2

150 hours: 10 lectures, 10 seminars, 30 hours seminar preparation, 40 hours essay preparation, 30 hours lecture consolidation, 30 hours exam revision

Description of Module Assessment

01: Essay weighted 50%

An essay of c.2000 words

02: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 50%

Two-hour unseen exam
Students answer one essay question from five, and two document commentaries from five.

Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.