Syllabus 09 344A: Medieval Europe

University of St. Francis

Fall 1998

Tuesdays 6-8:40 PM

Murder most foul!! Assignment: catch the fiend!

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Instructor: Dr. Jeff Chamberlain	Course Requirements
Course Description	WWW Resources
Course Objectives	Grading Scale
Texts/Documents	Tentative Course Schedule

Instructor: Dr. Jeff Chamberlain

see Dr. Chamberlain's Homepage

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Course Description:

This course will survey the history of Medieval Europe from the Fall of Rome to the beginnings of the Renaissance. A special focus will be on England in the 12-14th centuries. The course will mix lecture and active-learning techniques (see Course Requirements), and will utilize computer resources as well as texts.

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Course Objectives:

1. To acquaint you with an overview of the movements, events, and ideas which have characterized Medieval Europe and molded the perspectives of the people.
2. To acquaint you with some of the chief issues and historiographical problems of the period.
3. To develop your ability to "do history" by working on research skills, critical thinking, and debate.
4. To develop your communication skills (oral and written) by using discussion, presentation, and writing assignments.
5. To acquaint you with the resources available for the study of history on the World Wide Web.
6. To develop your skills for teaching history.
7. To cultivate in you a love of learning and, in particular, a love of medieval history.

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Text/Documents:

The required texts are:

• H. G. Koenigsberger, Medieval Europe 400-1500. New York: Longman, 1987, 1991.

• Ken Follett, The Pillars of the Earth. New York: Penguin, 1989, 1990.
  

These texts are available in the USF Bookshoppe. Other readings will be required. Some of these will be handed out in class; many others will be accessible through clickable items on the syllabus itself. See the Course Schedule section.

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Course Requirements:

1. Class Participation.You are expected to attend class, be prepared for it (i.e., read the assigned readings) and participate in discussion. You should be familiar with the texts and other readings. See the Course Schedule for these. You will also be asked to be active in class (in ways such as role playing, debate, etc.), and your eagerness and participation in these activities will account for approximately a half of this grade. 15% of the course grade.
2. Other Assignments. There will be quizzes on the readings and/or assignments from them. (As I anticipate it now, there will be quizzes on the Pillars of the Earth reading and in-class assignments from the other readings). These will be collectively worth 15% of the course grade.
   • Note: If you can document errors from The Pillars of the Earth, or document authenticity of an aspect, I will give you extra credit (up to 10 points on the final exam). This does NOT include spelling errors or inconsistencies of character (etc.). Rather, it must deal with an aspect of the history or culture. For example, if you can prove that Follett makes an error dealing with the civil war (if he places the battle of Lincoln at the wrong time, or gets details incorrect) or can demonstrate that he has not portrayed living conditions accurately, you will be given extra points.
   
   
3. Multimedia Presentation. You will be asked to do research on the WWW and other media and present your findings to the class in a highly visual/computerized manner. Unless you receive permission otherwise, you will be expected to use Powerpoint (or some other presentation software) and active learning techniques. You may choose one of the following topics, or may develop one of your own: the Vikings; medieval art and architecture, feudalism, chivalry & courtly love, Arthurian legends, medieval combat & war, rural life, city life [trades, guilds, etc.], monasticism, mysticism, and the role of women in society). You should use the Web for information (primary and secondary sources) and graphics. You will be graded on the accuracy of information, graphics, and the creativity of your presentation (be as creative as you like!!). 15% of the course grade.
4. Paper. In conjunction with your WWW Research project, you will be asked to write a 6-8 page research paper on the same or similar theme. You should use the Guidelines for Writing History Papers to focus your topic. In addition to the WWW resources, you should use two or more books or articles. Please cite according to the Guidelines for Writing History Papers. History majors who have taken the Doing History Seminar are expected to format according to Turabian. Please note also the policy on plagiarism which applies to ALL work done in this course. Papers will be due 1 week after the group presentation. 15% of course grade.
5. Exams.There will be three exams in this course. The first two are listed on the course schedule; the third will be the final and will be held at the time scheduled by the college. Each of the first two tests will be worth 10% of the course grade; the final will be worth 15%.
6. Film. Watch ONE of the following films outside of class, and evaluate it (in a two-page review) for historical atmosphere and accuracy. 5% of course grade.
   
   • Lion in Winter
   • Name of the Rose
   • Braveheart
   • Stealing Heaven
   • Becket

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WWW Resources: Good Places to Start

NetSerf

Internet Medieval Sourcebook

Medieval and Byzantine Studies Website

Anglo-Saxon Resources

Bibliotheque Nationale Manuscript Images

World of the Vikings

Women Writers of the Middle Ages

Gargoyles: Then and Now

Sharan Newman's Homepage

ORB--Medieval Documents online

University of Kansas, Resources for History

WWW Resources for Historians

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Grading Scale:

The grading scale for this course will be as follows:

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Tentative Course Schedule:

NOTE: This course schedule is tentative and is subject to change.

Tuesday, 25 August: Introduction and orientation; Retrieve syllabus

Tuesday, 1 September: Koenigsberger, 1-65; Follett, chap. 1; Gildas, Concerning the Ruin of Britain; write a 1-2 page essay (and bring two copies to class) on the following: "Imagine you live in Rome in AD 400. What is your prognosis for the empire? Are things going well (and you expect them to continue)? Or do you smell doom (expect Rome to fall)? List as many reasons for your choice as possible."

Tuesday, 8 September: Koenigsberger, 67-98; Follett, chap. 2; Einhard on Charlemagne; Images of Charlemagne

Tuesday, 15 September: Follett, chap. 3 (158-214); Koenigsberger, 98-117, 124-135; Illustrated Manuscripts: Examples from the Book of Kells; Presentation on Vikings; Presentation on Feudalism

Tuesday, 22 September: Follett, chap. 4 (215-286); First Exam

Tuesday, 29 September: Follett, chap. 5-6 (291-397); Koenigsberger, 136-168

• The Norman Conquest as Portrayed by the Bayeux Tapestry; Invasion of England, 1066
• Gregory VII: Dictatus Papae
• Henry IV: Letter to Gregory VII 1076
• Gregory VII: First Deposition and Banning of Henry IV
• Gregory VII: Lay Investitures Forbidden 1080

Tuesday, 6 October: Follett, chaps. 7-8 (398-479); Koenigsberger, 168-184

Tuesday, 13 October: Fall Break--NO CLASS

Tuesday, 20 October: Follett, chaps. 9-10 (480-604); Presentation on Arthurian legends

Tuesday, 27 October: Follett, chap. 11 (609-654); Koenigsberger, 184-212; Presentation on monasticism; Urban II preaches the First Crusade; The Capture of Jerusalem; The Opening of the Crusade; Anna Comnena on a Rude Crusader

Tuesday, 3 November: Follett, chap. 12 (655-722); Presentation on medieval combat; second exam

Tuesday, 10 November: Follett, chap. 13 (723-774); Koenigsberger, 213-234; Presentation on Chivalry & Courtly Love; Presentation on Art & Architecture; Magna Carta

Tuesday, 17 November: Follett, chaps. 14-15 (779-873); Koenigsberger, 234-262; Presentation on mysticism

Tuesday, 24 November: Follett, chaps. 16-17 (874-940); Koenigsberger, 262-290; Presentation on Rural life; Presentation on City Life (Trades & Guilds)

Tuesday, 1 December: Follett, chap. 18 (941-983); Koenigsberger, 291-341; Presentation on the role of women

• Clericis Laicos
• Unam Sanctam
• Catherine of Siena

Tuesday, 8 December: Koenigsberger, 343-387; Mock Trials

Documents on medieval justice and trial procedures:

• Constitutions of Clarendon 1164
• Assize of Clarendon 1166
• Inquests of Sheriffs 1170
• Ordeal Formulas
• Ordeal by Water

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