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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 236"
COURSE NAME: "Europe Before Nations: From the First Crusade to 1453"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Zara Pogossian
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The aim of this course is to introduce the students to the main events, intellectual developments and artistic achievements that shaped the history and culture of Europe and Byzantium from the eleventh to the fifteenth century. The conventional starting point will be the eleventh century Catholic Church Reform and preaching of the First Crusade and we will end with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 and the discovery of the New World in 1492. Moreover, throughout the course students will gain experience in working with primary sources and secondary scholarly literature. Written assignments based on the reading of primary sources are aimed at helping students to acquires skills in critical analysis, considering issues of historical context, audience(s) and bias(es).

 

 

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The main topics to be covered in this course include: the eleventh century Reform of the Catholic Church and the centralization of Papal power; the Macedonian dynasty and expansion of Byzantium in the 10th century; the arrival of the Seljuq Turks in Asia Minor and their conquests of Byzantine territories; the Crusades (both to the Holy Land and within Europe); Crusaders from Byzantine and Islamic perspectives; Crusader states and their relationships with Byzantium and Islamic states of the Near East; the Renaissance of the 12th century, the rise of universities, Gothic art and vernacular literature; the Papal Monarchy; papacy vs. secular power in the 13th century; Scholasticism, popular heresies and changes in religious life, the rise of mysticisms; Byzantium and the Fourth Crusade, Byzantine successor States and the West; the Black death and the economic crisis of the 14th century; the Mongol invasions, the Palaeologan Renaissance in Byzantium, relations between Catholic and Orthodox Churches, attempts at Church union; the end of the Middle Ages, voyages to the East, the fall of Constantinople/the end of Byzantium, the discovery of the New World.

 

Course Procedure: Students are given reading assignments prior to the lectures on a given topic. This should enable them to participate actively in discussions during and after lectures They are expected to keep up with the assigned readings.

 

Participation in class: This means that you: a) have done the readings and thought about them; b) are in class; c) express your views and questions orally in class; d) are able to recall what went on in the previous class and relate it to the topic(s) under examination for the current class. If any of these elements are missing you receive no credit for participation for that day. I assume that occasionally students will be absent or have less to say than usual, however, persistent absence, unwillingness to speak in class, or having failed to do the reading will affect your overall participation grade.

 

Writing Assignments

The course includes three writing assignments. These are essays/analysis based on the reading of a primary source. The relevant source and the questions which serve as guidelines for the analysis will be posted on MyJCU. On the due date we will discuss your answers in class in the form of a general discussion. Because of this procedure, it is imperative that students turn in their work no later than the due date. All written assignments should be submitted to me electronically by 9 am of the due date at the latest. No late assignments will be accepted.

 

Students will also chose a scholarly article for an oral presentation. The article to be presented must be agreed upon with the professor during the 3rd week of the course.

 

Field Trip

To take advantage of our location in Rome, the course will include a visit to a medieval site. In Spring 2014 we will visit the Church of S. Maria Maggiore and S. Prassede (date TBA).

 

Plagiarism

Students must provide appropriate footnotes and a bibliography of ALL sources (both primary and secondary) used in their written term paper in order to avoid plagiarism. Students may consult the internet (e.g. Wikipedia et al.) only for their own information. General information found on the internet is not acceptable as a source for academic papers. However, students are encouraged to research academic databases, such as J-Store or Academic Search Premium, or medieval primary sources published on the internet. Students should feel free to discuss the acceptability of specific internet resources with me should they have any questions on the matter. Cases of intentional or unintentional plagiarism will be dealt with in accordance with the university policy. Students may fail the paper or the entire course depending on the gravity of the situation.

If you have questions about how to cite material properly, refer to the appropriate sections of the MLA Style Manual or Chicago Manual of Style (or make an appointment to speak with me). There are copies of both in the reference section of the library downstairs.


Please note that your papers may be submitted to turnitin.com to check their content for plagiarism.

 

Exams 

The mid-term and the final exams will combine essay writing with short questions.

 


LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of the course students should have a firm knowledge of the main events, persons and cultural trends in Western Europe and Byzantium from the 10th to the 15th century. They will also acquire basic skills in methodologies involved in historical research and writing, particularly when working with primary sources.

 


TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
A History of Byzantium.Timothy Gregory.Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.9781405184717     
The Worlds of Medieval Europe, 2nd Edition. Clifford BackmanOxford U Press978-0-19-533527-9     
Byzantium: The Surprising Life of a Medieval EmpireJudith HerrinPenguin Books9780141031026     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
3 Take-Home Exams 30% (10% each)
Oral Presentation  5%
Attendance and Participation  20%
Mid-Term Exam 20%
Final Exam 25%

-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 cour
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:

Students are allowed two excused absences. Any further absences will result in subtracting two points from your attendance and participation grade (20% of your final grade). Late arrivals will be noted and will affect your grade. Any student who is more than 15 minutes late may not enter the classroom as this will disturb the lecture and those class-mates who have made an effort to arrive on time. Students cannot leave the classroom before the end of the lecture.

 

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

Course Schedule (NB: Changes may occur)

Text 1 = Clifford Backman The Worlds of Medieval Europe

Text 2 = Timothy Gregory, A History of Byzantium

Text 3 = Judith Herrin, Byzantium.

 

 

 

Week 1

M Introduction

W “Introduction” in Text 1 and 2.

 

Week 2

M “The City of Constantine”, “The East Roman Empire”, “Greek Orthodoxy”, “Roman Law”, “The Byzantine Economy” (Text 3)

W Cont.

 

Week 3

M Technological Changes in XI c. W. Europe (Text 1, ch. 8)

A New Europe Emerges: North and South (Text 1, ch. 9)

W Cont.

 

 

Week 4

M The Beginnings of the Macedonian Dynasty in Byzantium

(Text 2, ch. 10) and

W “Mount Athos” (Text 3).

The Apogee of Byzantine Power (Text 2, ch. 11)

“Venice and the Fork” and “Basil II the Bulgar-Slayer) (Text 3).

Week 5

M The Dynasty of Komnenoi in Byzantium (Text 2, ch. 12)

 

W The Reform of the Latin Church (Text 1, ch. 10)

The Renaissance of the 12th Century (Text 1, ch. 11)

Week 6

M Cont. and “A Cosmopolitan Society” (Text 3)

W The Papal Monarchy (Text 1, ch. 12)

First Take-Home Exam is Due

 

Week 7

M Review for the Mid-Term Exam

 

27 W Mid-Term Exam

 

 

Week 8

M Politics in the 13th century in W. Europe (Text 1, ch. 13)

W Art and Intellect in the 13th Century Europe (Text 1, ch. 14)

 

Week 9

M The Aftermath of the Fourth Crusade in Byzantium (Text 2, ch. 13) and “The Fulcrum of the Crusades” (Text 3)

W Byzantium in the 14th century: The Beginning of Decline (Text 2, ch. 14).

Second Take-Home Exam is Due

 

Week 10

M Daily Life at the Medieval Zenith (Text 1, ch. 15)  

W Changes in Religious Life in Europe (Text 1, ch. 16)

Spring Break

 

 

Week 11

M “The Towers of Trebizond, Arta, Nicaea and Thessalonike” and “Rebels and Patrons” (Text 3)

 

3 W The Crises of the 14th Century (Text 1, ch. 17) 

 

Week 12

M Signs of a New Ear (Text 1, ch. 18)

W The End of the Byzantine Empire (Text 2, ch. 15)

“Better the Turkish Turban than the Papal Tiara” and “The Siege of 1453 (Text 3)

RESEARCH PAPERS DUE

 

Week 13

M 'Byzantium after Byzantium' (Text 2, ch. 16)

“Conclusions: The Greatness and Legacy of Byzantium” (Text 3)

W Readings from Primary Sources

 

Week 14

M Conclusions on the End of the Middle Ages in Europe (Text 1, ch. 19 and ch. 20)

W Review Session for the Final Exam

 

Final Exam