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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 235i"
COURSE NAME: "The Birth of Medieval Europe: from Constantine to the First Crusade"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Fabrizio Conti
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 7:30 PM 8:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course explores the major events, intellectual developments, and artistic achievements that shaped the history and culture of Europe and Byzantium from the 4th to the 11th centuries. The course treats such issues as the migrations and political restructuring of Late Antiquity, the Christianization of Europe, the development of feudalism, the rise of the Dar al-Islam and its relations with Europe and the Byzantine world, heresy and orthodoxy, and religious reform movements.

Satisfies "Medieval History" core course requirement for History majors
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course focuses on the examination of societies, cultures and politics in medieval Europe between 300 and 1100.  We will consider comparatively the three main civilizations of the medieval world: Byzantium, the Islamic World and the Medieval West, although our main focus will be Western Europe. Some of the topics we will explore include: the development of the medieval Papacy, the First Crusade and its aftermath, medieval monasticism, the Celts and the Vikings, heresy and magic, the Lombards in Italy, military and religious architecture, Charlemagne and the Carolingian Renaissance, the developments after the year 1000
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The aim of this course is not only to guide students through the discovery of the main events and characters shaping Medieval Europe between the 4th and the 11th centuries, but also and especially to give students the opportunity to build their own ideas of the multifaceted ways in which cultures, societies and mentalities developed and interacted during the Medieval period. Outcomes: 1. students will acquire basic skills in methodologies involved in historical research, writing, and communication, also by working with primary sources in English; 2. students will acquire a progressively more deepened grasp of medieval developments by advancing from identifying and recognizing historical issues to classifying, interpreting, analyzing, comparing, and explaining them, to finally generating their own reflections
 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The inheritance of Rome : a history of Europe from 400 to 1000Chris WickhamPenguin, 20099780713994292     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Readings in Medieval HistoryPatrick Geary, Ed.University of Toronto Press, 2016923568357  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
PaperThis is an essay of no less than 2000 words based on scholarly articles and primary sources in English translation. A list of topics with the relevant bibliography will be posted on Moodle, along with the questions that serve as guidelines for your paper. There is always the possibility to agree with the instruct on a different topic of your choice. The paper should be submitted to the instructor electronically by the due date. No late assignments will be accepted.30%
Mid-Term ExamThis will be an in-class written exam composed of short answer and essay questions. Your grade on this exam will depend upon the analytical strength and persuasiveness of your arguments as well as the factual accuracy of your answers. More information about these exams will be provided as their dates near.25%
Final ExamThis will be an in-class written exam composed of short answer and essay questions. Your grade on this exam will depend upon the analytical strength and persuasiveness of your arguments as well as the factual accuracy of your answers. More information about these exams will be provided as their dates near.30%
Attendance and ParticipationIt is mandatory that: 1. you are in class, 2. have done the readings, 3. express your views and questions orally in class and are able to make connections with the topics that have been already covered. You will get points for participation for being active in class, rather than for being (always) right. Persistent absence or having failed to do the readings will affect your final grade. A student discussion forum on the weekly readings and topics, moderated by the professor, is activated on Moodle. Students' thoughtful participation is essential.15%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the c
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

It is mandatory that: 1. you are in class, 2. have done the readings, 3. express your views and questions orally in class and are able to make connections with the topics that have been already covered. You will get points for participation for being active in class, rather than for being (always) right. Persistent absence or having failed to do the readings will affect your final grade.

Late arrivals will be noted and will affect your grade. Students cannot leave the classroom before the end of the lecture. Please note that behaving in ways that create distractions for other members of the class (messaging, checking social networks, catching up on e-mail and so on) will lower your participation grade.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Week 1

M       Time, History, and Medieval History: Course Intro

-          Marc Bloch, The Historian's Craft, pp. 17-24 (Moodle)

 

W      Constantine the Great: the First Christian Emperor of Rome

-          Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, pp. 50-75 (Part I, ch. 3)

-          Eusebius, Life of Constantine, Book I, Chpts. XXVIII, XXIX, XXX, XXXI: 
           https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/basis/vita-constantine.asp

Week 2

M       The Fall of Rome: The End of Civilization? 

-          Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, Part I, ch. 4  

-          Edward Gibbon on the Fall of Rome: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/gibbon-fall.asp

W       Germanic Migrations

-          Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, pp. 111-129

-          Geary, Readings in Medieval History, pp. 58-59 (Tacitus, Germania, par. 1, 2, 4, 5), pp. 60-63
           (par. 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 18, 19, 20, 23)

 

Week 3

M      The Germans: Cultural Identities and Ethnic Patters

-        Patrick Geary, “Europe of Nations or the Nations of Europe: Origin Myths Past and Present” (2013): pp. 36-49 (Moodle)

-        Geary, Readings in Medieval History, p. 69 (Jordanes, History of the Goths, par. IV), pp. 76-78 (par. XXI, XXIV, XXV, XXVI)

W       The Franks

-         Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, pp. 130-140

-         Geary, Readings in Medieval History, pp. 105-108 (Salic Law, Titles I, II, XIII, XIX, XLI); p. 111 (Title LXII); pp. 112-113
          (Bishops Remigius of Reims and Avitus of Vienne, Letters to Clovis); p. 114 ff. (Gregory of Tours, Histories, par. 12, 27)

 

Week 4

M       The Lombards

-          Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, pp. 140-149 

-          Paul the Deacon, History of the Lombards, Book 1, Chpts: VIII, IX; Book 2, Chpts: from VI to IX, and XII (Moodle)

 

W        The Monastery and the Monks

-          Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, pp. 170-187 (Part II, ch. 8)

-          Geary, Readings in Medieval History, pp. 136 ff. (St. Benedict, Rules for Monasteries, Prologue, Ch. I, II, V, VI, VIII, XXII, XXXIX,
           XL, LIII, LXIV)


 ----  Friday, February 11 Make-up day for Monday, April 18: Medieval Rome 

-       Maya Maskarinec, City of Saints: Rebuilding Rome in the Early Middle Ages, selections (Moodle)

Week 5

M      Insular and Celtic Cultures 

-        Geary, Readings in Medieval History, pp. 191-194 (Bede, History of the English Church and People, Book Three, Ch. XXV);
         pp. 215-216 (Theodore, Penitential, Preface, Book 1, Ch. I); pp. 218-219 (Theodore, Ch. V)

 

W      The Byzantine Civilization 

-         Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, pp. 255-278; 298-317

-        The Byzantine Legacy: https://www.thebyzantinelegacy.com/ 

 

---- Friday, February 18, Make-up day for Monday, April 25 : Documentary screening and discussion

-       The Glory of Byzantium

Week 6

M       Charlemagne: The Father of Europe

-          Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, pp. 375-404  (Part IV, ch. 16)

-          Geary, Readings in Medieval History, pp. 233 ff. (Einhard, The Life of Charlemagne, Ch. 3, 6, 7, 8, 15, 17, 18, 19,
           22, 24, 25, 28, 29)

 

W       The Carolingian 'Renaissance'

-          Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, pp. 405-413 (Part IV, ch. 17)

-          Geary, Readings in Medieval History, pp. 247 ff. (Selected Capitularies: Herstal, 779; Concerning the Saxons, 797;
           Charles the Great on the study of Literature; De villis)

 

Week 7

Take-Home Midterm Exam, due on 4 March, 11:59PM

M       The Transition to the Post-Carolingian World

-          Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, pp. 427-444 (Part IV, ch. 18) (pp. 444-452: optional)

-          Geary, Readings in Medieval History, pp. 267 ff (Duoda, Handbook for her Son, Ch. 1, 4, 5, 10, 11)

 

W      The "Dark Ages"

          Documentary screening and discussion

 


Week 8

M        Feudalism and Social Trifunctionalism

-          Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, pp. 508-528 (Part IV, ch. 21)

-          Adalbero of Laon, Poem for King Robert, selections (Moodle)

 

W        Cluny: The Most Powerful Medieval Abbey

-           Geary, Readings in Medieval History, pp. 286-292 (Cluniac Charters)



Week 9

M       The Violent World of the Knights: the Peace and the Truce of God Movements

-          Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, pp. 529-543 (Part IV, ch. 22) (pp. 543-551: optional)

-          Reading the Middle Ages, ed. by Barbara H. Rosenwein, document 4.5 ‘The Peace of God' (Moodle)

 

W       The World of Magic and Superstitions

-          Aron Gurevich, Medieval Popular Culture, selections (Moodle)

-          Burchard of Worms, Decree, ‘On superstitions’ (Moodle)

 

Week 10

M     Heresy and Heretics

-       Heresies of the High Middle Ages, ed. by Wakefield and Evans, selections (Moodle)

 

W       Vikings and Viking Raids 

-          Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, pp. 150-169

-          Geary, Readings in Medieval History, pp. 182-188 (Bede, History of the English Church and People, Book One, Chpts. XXIII, 
           XXV, XXX, XXXII)

 

Week 11

M       The Islamic Civilization

-          Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, pp. 279-289 (Part III, ch. 12); 318-319 (Part III, ch.14); 324-330 (Part III, ch. 14); 338-347
           (Part III, ch. 14)

-          Al-Qabisi, On Teachers and Students; Al-Farabi, The Perfect State; in Rosenwein (ed.) Reading the Middle Ages (Moodle)

 

W       The "Rebirth" of the Year 1000

-          Wickham, The Inheritance of Rome, pp. 552-564 (Ch. 23: Conclusions); R. Landes, The White Mantle of Churches, in Idem, ed. 

            by H. Nigel (2003) (Moodle)

-          Ralph Glaber, "On the First Millenium": https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/glaber-1000.asp

 

Week 12

M       Universal Political Powers and the Investiture Controversy

-         Joseph H. Lynch and Phillip C. Adamo, The Medieval Church: A Brief History, pp.  156-169 (“The Eleventh-Century Reforms”)

-         Gregory VII Dictatus Papae: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/g7-dictpap.asp 

-         Henry IV, Letter to Gregory VII: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/henry4-to-g7a.asp 

-         Gregory VII, Lay Investitures Forbidden: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/g7-reform2.asp 

 

W       The First Crusade, Western Christians, and the "Others"

-          The First Crusaders, ed. by Brian Tierney, selections 

-          Cord J. Whitaker, "Race-ing the Dragon: The Middle Ages, Race, and Trippin' into the Future", Postmedieval: A Journal of

           Medieval Cultural Studies 6 (2015): 3-11

 

Week 13

M      No Class

 

W       Paper Due: 20 April, 11:59PM

           The Crusader States, Jerusalem, and the Knights Templar

-          John France, The Crusades and The Expansion of Catholic Christendom (2006) selections (Moodle)

-          Reading the Middle Ages, ed. by Rosenwein, doc. 5.11 (Ibn al-Athir, The First Crusade) (Moodle); Bernard of
            Clairvaux, In Praise of the New Knighthood, selections (Moodle)

 

Week 14

M      No Class

 

W       Final Discussion: A Long Middle Ages

 -         Jacques Le Goff, Must We Divide History Into Periods? selected pp. (Moodle)


Final Exam