HISTORY 1112 THE MEDIEVAL WORLD |
Instructor: Bruce L. Venarde, Assistant Professor of History Office: Forbes Quadrangle 3M26, 624-8437 Office hours: M 11-12:30 and by appointment bvenarde+@pitt.edu |
DESCRIPTION AND GOALS |
History 1112 introduces some basic facts and themes of medieval life, circa 1000-1300 A.D., including demographic and economic transformation; social and familial structures; religious ideals, institutions, and practices; the nature of power and its manifestations; and the expression of thought and feeling in literary prose and poetry. Readings include both original medieval materials in translation (primary sources), and modern scholarly interpretations (secondary sources). Both kinds of sources require us to be alert, active readers, and both require us to engage our imaginations to connect with the medieval past. Learning to evaluate primary and secondary sources is the central goal of this course, so it will be the major focus of both class time and written work. On most days, some or even all of our meetings will be spent in discussion: informal, collective, and collaborative effort to make sense of what we are reading. Written assigments will ask you to continue that enquiry individually and formally. What you get out of History 1112 will depend very largely on what you bring to it. The course is organized around the readings. Lectures are meant to provide context for, and guidance in, our individual and collective evaluations, but they will not attempt a systematic examination of all subjects raised in the readings: History 1112 is not a survey course. This makes regular preparation for class, faithful attendance, and willingness to participate actively essential for success. |
REQUIREMENTS AND GRADE WEIGHTING |
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You must complete all three written assignments. Either of the first two papers may, at the instructor's discretion, be revised and resubmitted, although it should be understood that revision does not guarantee a higher grade. There will be no class meetings on August 30 or October 14. Otherwise, this course meets at all times except university holidays. |
BOOKS (available at the Book Center) |
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TOPICS AND READINGS |
I. MEDIEVAL WORLD(S): Unity and diversity, continuity and change (Sept. 4 - Sept. 11) |
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II. THE RURAL WORLD (Sept. 13 - Oct. 4) |
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III. THE URBAN WORLD (Oct. 7 - Oct. 25) |
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IV. LOVE AND MARRIAGE (Oct. 28 - Nov. 1) |
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V. RULERS, STATES, AND LAW (Nov. 4 - Nov. 20) |
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VI. EVALUATIONS, I : AN ARTHURIAN TALE (Nov. 22 - Nov. 25) |
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VII. EVALUATIONS, II : SCHOLARS AT WORK (Dec. 2 - Dec. 6) |
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