Dr. Richard R. Heiser

HIST 361 – ENGLISH HISTORY TO 1688

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• To study the rise of England as a European power from its Celtic/Roman period through the Middle Ages to the early modern era.
• To track the history of the church in England, especially the English Reformation and the rise of the English Reformed tradition.
• To study constitutional development during the medieval and early modern dynasties.
• To introduce students to advanced readings relevant to the period.
• To improve writing and critical thinking skills.

READINGS:

Primary Text:

Roberts, A History of England: Prehistory to 1714 (5th ed.)

Collateral Texts:          

Crouch, William Marshal

Hanawalt, Growing Up in Medieval London

Herrup, A House in Gross Disorder

Jones, The End of Roman Britain

Seaver, Wallington's World

It is expected that students will stay current in their reading of the primary text by keeping pace with the daily lectures.

Do you see the one who excels in their work? That one will stand before rulers.

                                                                                                                     ~ Solomon

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Your grade in this course will be based on the following points.

1. Tests: Two tests and a comprehensive final exam will be administered on the dates listed below. The tests will consist of essay questions, and a study guide will be provided prior to the exams. The exams will each account for 25% of the final grade.

2. Written Assignments:

   • Students have two choices here:  1) they may pick which of the two assignments below they would like to do, and 2) they may choose to do both, in which case they would be exempt from one of the exams.

   • Option #1: Students are expected to choose a topic related to the course, have it approved by me, and begin to pull the project together early in the semester. By mid-October, students shall submit an informative and thorough outline of the paper, a bibliography properly formatted, and a first draft. Each student shall set a time within the following week to meet with me and come prepared to discuss the paper and the sources. To this meeting, students will bring a copy of the paper showing how they plan to change and improve the work. By late October, students will submit another draft and set up another meeting to review the paper before the final copy is submitted. Failure to meet the deadlines will result in substantial grade reductions.  Finally, on the date listed below, a paper of 12-15, doubled-spaced, typed, 12-point font, 1" margin pages will be submitted for my pleasurable reading. A minimum of 12 sources is expected with at least two of them being primary source material; encyclopedia/Wikipedia-type sources are strongly discouraged.  Students are advised to read and follow the instructions found in Writing History Research Papers. The paper will constitute 25% of the grade for the course.

   • Option #2: Students will write two short papers covering the following topics :

     • Using the Seaver text, discuss the argument he proposes.  Explain his approach to the material?  How does he see the Puritan?  What does he consider to be the predominant traits?  Is his argument compelling?  Why?  Due date is listed below.  This is not a book review that details the contents of the book but rather an analysis of the book and its argument.

     • Using reading materials that will be distributed, discuss the question: Was Richard Lionheart a good king?   Make a sound argument, marshal your evidence, and deal with the information that counters your final conclusion.  Due date is listed below.

     • Each student will read one of his/her papers to the class on a date established in consultation with me.

     • Students are expected to follow the instructions found in Writing History Research Papers.  Combined these papers account for 25% of the grade for the course.

3. Book/Reading Assignments: The class will read and discuss four books in class.  For each book, discussion will center on what impressed the student most about the book, noting in particular how the book changed the student's understanding about the book's subject.

• In addition, students will submit a well-written, 1-page synopsis according to the following guidelines:

  • Synopsis #1: State what you believe the thesis of the book is (note page number or numbers where found) and the major themes of each chapter assigned for that day.

  • Synopsis #2: Note the themes of each chapter assigned for that day, indicating which one you believe is the strongest from this section of the book.  In some cases, only two days of discussion will be needed for a book, in which case, the student should skip to the synopsis described below for the second synopsis.

  • Synopsis #3: Describe the author's bias, perspective, and/or values now that you have finished the book.  For instance, what judgments does the author make and what might that say about the author?  Does the author emphasize the 'hero of history' or the little people?  Does the author's use of sources suggest any bias or presuppositions within the author?  Do the biases, etc. contribute to a stronger understanding of the subject?

• The applicable synopsis will be brought to class the day the book is discussed and serve as a catalyst for class discussion.  The paper will conform to the guidelines noted above and will be submitted for a grade using the 'check' system.  The final assessment for each synopsis will also take into account the amount of discussion and participation the student exhibited.  Any absence from discussion day makes it impossible for a 'check +' grade to be earned for that book.  Each overall 'check +' grade on a set of synopses will be used to strengthen one of the lower grades earned on the exams and assignments described above.

COURSE POLICIES: Here you will find the attendance policy, make-up exam policy, office hours, etc.

GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE:

I. Medieval England

A. Celtic and Roman Britain
B. Anglo-Saxon England

II. Post-Conquest England

A. Norman and Angevin Dynasties
B. Plantagenet Dynasty
C. Lancastrian and Yorkist Dynasties

III. Tudor Dynasty

A. Henry VII and Henry VIII
B. Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I

IV. Stuart Dynasty

A. James I and Charles I
B. Civil War and Interregnum
C. Charles II and James II

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Additional reading in areas or aspects of history that interest you is an excellent way to expand your knowledge. The main text has suggested reading lists that I would recommend. Should you desire more books and articles on a particular topic than listed there, see me and visit the library.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

• August 24 - Classes begin
• August 28 - Last day to change course schedule
• September 7-11 - Jones book discussed
• September 19 - Parents' Weekend
• September 25 - Test #1
• September 28-October 2 - Crouch book discussed
• October 2 - Richard Lionheart paper due
• October 9 - Last day to withdraw from class
• October 9 - Mid-term reports come out soon
• October 12-13 - Fall break, no class
• Mid-October - First draft of research paper due
• October 19-23- Hanawalt book discussed
• October 24 - Homecoming
• October 30 - Test #2
• Late October - Second draft of research paper due
• November 6 - Heiser at a conference, no class
• November 13 - Research paper due
• November 20 - Wallington paper due
• November 25-27 - Thanksgiving break, no class
• November 30-December 4 - Herrup book discussed
• December 7 - Reading Day
• December 10 - Final Exam, period F, 2:00 p.m.

PURSUE EXCELLENCE!  

Excellence is Sorriness Leaving Your Life!

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