Undergraduate Course: Introduction to Medieval Europe 2A (HIST08026)
Course Outline
| School | School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The course provides students with an introduction to medieval European history and why it matters. It has been designed as a second-year course which aims to provide students with preliminary insights into the sources of medieval historical evidence, and how these are studied by scholars. The course encourages students to reflect upon the importance of the Middle Ages for understanding European history, and to engage directly with selected key primary texts. It also encourages them to consider medieval history in multi-disciplinary terms, and seeks to provide vital preparation for all students intending to continue with the study of history, especially medieval history, at Honours level. |
| Course description |
This course provides an introduction to the history of medieval Europe, from ca. 950 to ca.1200. It can to be taken either as a stand-alone course or in conjunction with Introduction to Medieval Europe 2B, which covers the period ca.1200 to ca.1450. This period is crucial in understanding the formation, growth and identity of Europe. Key themes run through the course: the pursuit and exercise of power, the bonds of society, religion and belief, and landscape and the environment. The central Middle Ages was a period in which the political framework of Europe emerged, based around cities, kingdoms and empires, with the papacy becoming an international force. Christianity underwent an intense period of religious reform and revival, which included the creation of new monastic orders and the take-off of the crusading movement. "Benign" climate change contributed to population growth, a remarkable rise in agricultural production and a massive expansion of towns. Key intellectual and cultural changes were manifested in the rise of the universities, Gothic architecture, and increasing church influence on the areas of sex and marriage.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | Students MUST NOT also be taking
Introduction to Medieval Europe 2 (HIST08018)
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Other requirements | A pass in any first level course achieved no later than August of the previous academic year. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should usually have at least 1 introductory level History course at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this) for entry to this course. We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate, by way of coursework and examination as required, a sound knowledge of he key concepts of medieval history, specifically medieval European society and the changes that took place over the period 950-1200;
- demonstrate, by way of coursework and examination as required, an ability to assimilate a variety of sources and formulate critical opinions on them;
- demonstrate, by way of coursework and examination as required, an ability to research, structure and complete written work of a specified length, or within a specified time;
- demonstrate an ability to make informed contributions to class discussion and give an oral presentation as required;
- demonstrate an ability to organise their own learning, manage their workload, and work to a timetable.
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Reading List
M. Barber, The Two Cities. Medieval Europe 1050-1320 (London, 2nd ed., 2004)
R. Bartlett, The Making of Europe: Conquest, Colonization and Cultural Change 950 - 1350 (Harmondsworth, 1993)
W. Blockmans and P. Hoppenbrouwers, Introduction to Medieval Europe 300-1550 (Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2007)
C. R. Backman, The Worlds of Medieval Europe (Oxford, 2002)
R.H.C. Davis, A History of Medieval Europe (3rd edition, Harlow, 2005, revised by R.I. Moore)
C. Warren Hollister, Judith Bennett, Medieval Europe, (McGraw-Hill Education Europe 2005)
W. Jordan, Europe in the High Middle Ages: The Penguin History of Europe (Harmondsworth, 2002)
M. Keen, The Penguin History of Medieval Europe (rev ed. Harmondsworth, 1991)
R.I. Moore, The First European Revolution (Oxford, 2000)
John D. Cotts, Europe's Long Twelfth Century: Order, Anxiety and Adaptation, 1095-1229 (London, 2012)
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
All students will attend a weekly tutorial group from Weeks 2 to 11 inclusive. |
| Keywords | Med. Europe 2A |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr William Aird
Tel: (0131 6)50 9968
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Annabel Stobie
Tel: (0131 6)50 3783
Email: |
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