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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 235"
COURSE NAME: "The Birth of Medieval Europe: from Constantine to the First Crusade"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Zara Pogossian
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Students should become aware of the most important events that shaped the history of the Middle Ages in Europe and Byzantium. Besides, they will become familiar and gain first-hand experience in working with primary sources that provide us first-hand information on these events. Readings from sources should enable students to gain skills in understanding the Middle Ages as presented by those who lived in the period. Written assignments should help in analyzing these texts in a logical and coherent manner, whereas the oral presentation is aimed at developing students’ skills in presenting their ideas in an engaging and convincing manner to a prepared audience.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course will outline the main events, intellectual developments and artistic achievements that shaped the history and culture of Europe and Byzantium from 4th to 11th centuries. The conventional starting point will be the acceptance of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great and we will end with the 11th century Church Reform movement and the preaching of the First Crusade. The main topics to be covered include: the Migration Period and the political restructuring of Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire, the foundation of Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire, the Carolingian and Ottonian Renaissances in Western Europe, the foundation of the Holy Roman Empire, the Iconoclastic Movement in Byzantium, the Rise of Monasticism: Monasticism in the West and in Byzantium; Christian missions among the Nordic peoples and the Slavs; Feudalism in its diverse forms; the Rise of Islam and the Arabic Khalifate, its relations with Europe and Byzantium; Medieval Heresies; Movements for the Reforms of the Church, the Gregorian Reform; Tensions between Catholic and Orthodox Churches; the rise of the Seljuq Turks and their conquests in Asia Minor; the Preaching of the First Crusade.

 

Students are given reading assignments prior to the lectures. They are encouraged to actively participate in class-room discussions during and after the lectures. (10% of the total grade is for class-participation and attendance).

 

In order to acquire skills in working with primary sources, two essays will be dedicated to the analysis of a source provided by the professor. Hand-outs will be given on the specific requirements for these essays.

 

Students shall also chose a topic for their research paper and oral presentation. The topic must be agreed upon with the professor during the 3rd week of courses. The paper should be 8-10 pages long (double-spaced).

 

The mid-term exam and the final exam are aimed at assessing the students' level and depth of knowledge of the subjects covered during the course. These include 'facts and dates' questions combined with short, analytical essays.

 

 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students should become aware of the most important events that shaped the history of the Middle Ages in Europe and Byzantium. Besides, they will become familiar and gain first-hand experience in working with primary sources that provide us with first-hand information on these events. Readings from sources should enable students to gain skills in understanding the Middle Ages as presented by those who lived in the period. The research paper/essay is intended to give students the opportunity to read and analyze primary sources and write about them in a logical and coherent manner, whereas the oral presentation is aimed at developing students’ skills in presenting their ideas in an engaging and convincing manner to a prepared audience.

 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Worlds of Medieval EuropeClifford BackmanOxford University Press.978-0-19-533527-9 You can buy either the 2nd or 1st edition. Students are encouraged to purchase their books as soon as possible in order to avoid problems in completing the reading assignments in a timely manner. Purchasing through amazon.it or amazon.ac.uk may be cheaper and faster.   
A History of ByzantiumTimothy Gregory.Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.978-1-4051-8471-7  You can buy any edition. Students are encouraged to purchase their books as soon as possible in order to avoid problems in completing the reading assignments in a timely manner. Purchasing through amazon.it or amazon.ac.uk may be cheaper and faster.   
Byzantium: The Surprising Life of a Medieval EmpireJudith HerrinPenguin Books978-0-141-03102-6     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
In-Class Participation and Attendance 10
2 Essays on Source Analysis  25 (12.5 Each)
Mid-Term Exam 20
Research Paper 20
Oral Presentation 5
Final Exam 20
 Grading Scale A  = 94 to 100   B  = 83 to 86   C = 70 to 74 A- = 90 to  93   B- = 80 to 82   D = 60 to 69 B+ = 87 to  89   C+ = 75 to 79   F =  0 to 59  

-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:
Students are required to attend all the lectures. They are allowed two unexcused absences. After this, 2 points will be taken from your attendance and participation grade (10% of your total grade) for each additional absence. This means that after 5 unexcused absences they will receive no points for the "attendance and participation"portion of the grade. After 5 unexcused absences, 2 points will be reduced for each additional absence from the final course 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

NB: Changes may be introduced

 

September

WEEK 1

Mon. Introductions

Research Assignment: Eusebius of Caesarea, his times and his works

 

Wed. The Roman Empire and its fall (Text 1, Ch. 1)

In-class group exercise: reading and analyzing a primary source.

 

WEEK 2

 

Mon. The Rise of Christianity (Text 1, Ch. 2)

 

Wed. Introduction to the Library resources: meeting at the Frohring Library

 

WEEK 3

 

Mon. Introduction to the Byzantine Empire (Text 2, Introduction and Ch. 1)

Wed. Roman Empire III and IV centuries (Text 2, Chs 1 and 2)

 

 

WEEK 4

 

Mon. Christianity and the Age of Constantine (Text 1, Ch. 2; Text 2 Ch. 3)

Paper Topics Due

Wed. Constantius II and Theodosius (Text 2, Ch. 4)

WEEK 5

 

Mon. The Fifth Century in Byzantium (Text 2, Ch. 5 up to p. 119)

Wed. The Latin West after the Roman Empire: The Early Germanic Society (Text 1, Ch. 3)

First Source Analysis Essay Due

WEEK 6

Mon. Monasticism (Text 1, Ch. 4 and Text 2 Ch. 5 pp. 119-127)

Wed. Emperor Justinian (Text 2, Ch. 6)

 

WEEK 7

Mon. Diversity: Western Europe, Byzantium, Islam (Text 1, Ch. 5)

Wed. The Byzantine “Dark Ages” (Text 2, Ch. 7)

 

WEEK 8

Mon. Mid-Term Exam

Wed. The Carolingian Era (Text 1, Ch. 6)

Please e-mail to me your Annotated bibliographies and optional paper outlines

WEEK 9

Mon. The Isaurians and Iconoclasm (Text 2, Ch. 8)

Wed. Iconoclams (Cont., Text 2, Ch. 9)

Second Source Analysis Essay Due

 

WEEK 10

 

November

Mon. The Time of Troubles (Text 1, Ch. 7)

Wed. Revolutions on Land and Sea (Text 1, Ch. 8)

 

WEEK 11

Mon. The Macedonian Dynasty in Byzantium (Text 2, Ch. 10)

Wed. The Macedonian Dynasty in Byzantium (Text 2, Ch. 11)

Paper drafts due (optional)

 

WEEK 12

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

Wed. The Reform of the Church (Text 1, Ch. 10)

WEEK 13

Mon. Presentations

Wed. Presentations

Final papers due

 

WEEK 14

December

Mon. Readings from Sources

Wed. Review Session