SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS Fall 2013 History 103 INTRODUCTION TO THE MEDIEVAL WORLD Location: UNIV 119 Meeting Days: MWF 4:30 5:20 Professor Silvia Z. Mitchell Email: mitch131@purdue.edu Office: University Hall 122 Office Hours: Wednesdays, 11:30 to 1:30 and by appointment. Graduate Teaching Assistant: Ms. Alison Brown Email: Brown923@purdue.edu Office: REC 403 Office Hours: Mondays, 9:00 to 11:00 and by appointment. Course Description This course is an overview of medieval history from the fall of the Roman Empire to the birth of Renaissance Europe, encompassing the millennium from about 500 to 1500 AD. The course will explore political, religious, and social changes as well as economic, technological, and cultural developments. By the end of the course, students will gain a sophisticated understanding of the large historical processes that took place during the period and identify those that have been formative in the development of European Civilization. As we explore the themes of the course, students will also develop an awareness of the complexity of human experience of the men and women who inhabited the medieval world. Required Texts: Judith Bennett, Medieval Europe: A Short History 11 th edition (McGraw, 2011). Einhard and Notker the Stammerer: Two Lives of Charlomagne, Lewis Thorpe, translator (Penguin Classics, 2010). The Lais of Marie de France (Penguin Classics, 2003). Page 1 of 5
The Letters of the Rozmberk Sisters: Noblewomen in Fifteenth-Century Bohemia, John M. Klassen, translator (2001). Assignments and Evaluation: Assignments for this course provide students the opportunity to build, improve, and expand their analytical skills and historical knowledge. Assignments have been designed to evaluate content knowledge, critical writing ability, and engagement with the material as follows: 1. Two Exams and a Final. The two shorter exams (essay format) will be administered during regular class time. The final will follow the same format, except that it will be longer and administered during final week. Students can rest assured that only material discussed in class will be tested, that there will be a review before each exam, and that expectations will be spelled out in advance. The best way to prepare for the exams is to be consistent: come to class, take good notes, and keep up with the readings. 2. Two short analytical essays (3 to 4 pages), which will be based on the primary-source readings. No outside research is necessary for this assignment. Instead, you will answer a question handed out in class a week in advance. Expectations and guidelines for this writing assignment will be fully discussed in advance. These essays must be turned in at the beginning of the class period the day they are due. Late papers will be penalized. I will accept hard copies only. 3. A small number of quizzes administered throughout the semester at my discretion (you can expect them every three to four weeks). 4. A Group Project on a particular aspect of medieval culture. Students will work together in groups to create a power point or poster. The best ones will be shown to the rest of the class, or if we have time, all of them. We will pick topics together. 5. Extra Credit. Extra-credit assignments will be made available throughout the semester for those students who are eager to improve their grade. Extra-credit assignment points can only be used to improve your quiz grade. Grade Distribution: Exam 1 15 % Essay 1 15 % Exam 2 20 % Essay 2 20 % Final Exam 20 % Quizzes and Group 10 % Project 100% Students must complete all assignments in order to receive a passing grade for the course. Page 2 of 5
Grading Scale 100-98 = A+ 97-93 = A 92-90 = A- 89-88 = B+ 87-83 = B 82-80 = B- 79-78 = C+ 77-73 = C 72-70 = C- 69-68 = D+ 67-63 = D 62-60 = D- 59-0 = F Expectations: You are expected to attend class, read the material, participate actively in discussions, and complete the required assignments when they are due. Late work will be penalized. Extensions will be granted only under compelling circumstances. You should talk to me if that is the case. Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory. More than two absences will negatively affect your grade. Arrive on time. If you are late, however, I would rather you came in than missed class. If there is an occasion where you must leave early, notify me or the TA before class starts and sit near an exit. Be courteous. Do not disrupt the professor or your fellow students. Think of our classroom as an airplane: the use of electronic devices is not permitted during our short flights. My lectures are interactive. I encourage you to ask questions. Raise your hand and I will pause to address questions or comments as they come up. There will be time specifically set aside for discussions. Academic Integrity Plagiarism or any sort of cheating will result in a failing grade for the entire course and, likely, the case will be referred to the Dean of Students Office. Cheating can take many forms, including, but not limited to, passing someone else s work for one s own, copying from another student s work during an exam, or using unauthorized material. Familiarize yourself with Purdue s policy on Academic Integrity. http://www.purdue.edu/odos/osrr/academicintegritybrochure.php Disclaimer: In the event of a major campus emergency, the above requirements, deadlines and grading policies are subject to changes that may be required by a revised semester calendar. Any such changes in this course will be posted on Blackboard once the course resumes or can be obtained by contacting the professor via email. Course Schedule Date Lecture and Discussion Topics Readings Assignments August 19 Introductions August 21-23 The Roman Empire Legacy Ch. 1: 4-14, 19-27 Part I: Europe after Rome Page 3 of 5
August 26 The Heirs of Rome Ch. 3: 51-59, 65-69, 79 August 28 Barbarian Nations Ch. 1: 19-25, Ch. 2: 28-40 August 30 Early Medieval Society Salic Law (Blackboard) September 2 Labor day- No Class September 4 Early Christianity and the Early Medieval Church Ch. 1: 8-19, Ch. 2: 40-48 September 6-9 Charlemagne and the Carolingians Ch. 4: 80-85, 88-101 September 11 Discussion of Life of Charlemagne Life of Charlemagne September 13 Europe Under Siege: Viking Invasions and Other Threats September 16-18 Political Reorganization Ch. 5: 111-130 Ch. 5: 102-111 Essay 1 due at the beginning of class September 20 Review for Exam 1 September 23 Exam 1 Part II: The Central Middle Ages September 25 The Central Middle Ages: Ch. 6: 131-136 Overview September 27 Lords and Vassals Agreement between Lord and Vassal (Blackboard) September 30 The Agricultural Revolution Ch. 6: 139-141 October 2 The Peasantry Ch. 6: 141-150 October 4 Commercial Revolution Ch. 6: 150-162 October 7 Fall Break- No Class October 9 Knights and Knighthood Ch. 6: 162-163 October 11 Chivalric Culture Biographical Sketch: The Blessed Virgin Mary, page 194 October 14 Women and Chivalry The Lais of Marie de France October 16-18 Women, Property, and the Law Ch. 6: 163-166 October 21 Aristocratic Women The Letters of the Rozmberk Sisters October 23 Women and Politics: Queens and Ladies Biographical Sketch: Blanche of Castile, page 264 Page 4 of 5
October 25 Battle of the Sexes in Medieval Europe October 28 Battle of the Sexes: Discussion Essay 2 due at the beginning of Class October 30 The Papal Monarchy Ch. 7: 167-174 November 1 Religious, Legal, and Educational Reforms Ch. 7: 175-189, Ch. 11: 272-273, 278-280 November 4 Evolution of Christian Piety Ch. 8: 191-210 November 6-8 Crusades Ch. 9: 221-231 November 8 The Christian Reconquest of Ch. 9: 213-216 Iberia November 11 Norman Conquests Ch. 10: 248-251, Ch. 9: 216-218 November 13 From Romanesque to Gothic Architecture Ch. 11: 290-296 November 15 Review for Exam 2 November 18 Exam 2 Part III: The Late Middle Ages November 20 Late Middle Ages: Overview Ch. 12: 297-301 November 22 Demographic Catastrophe Ch. 12: 301-306 November 25 Social and Cultural Ch. 12: 307-313 Transformations November 27- Thanksgiving Holyday- No Class 29 December 2 Toward the Sovereign State Ch. 13: 327-332 December 4 Opening of the Atlantic Frontier Ch. 13: 332-335 December 6 Review for Final Exam Final Exam TBA Page 5 of 5