Dr. Richard R. Heiser

HIST 372 – EARLY MEDIEVAL HISTORY

OBJECTIVES:

• To track the general history of the European Middle Ages.
• To study the rise of Christianity and the Church as dominant molding agents of western society.
• To examine the development of cherished ideals such as representative government and higher education and the emergence of troublesome sentiments such as racism.
• To introduce students to advanced readings relevant to the period.
• To improve writing and critical thinking skills.

READINGS:

Primary Text:

Bouchard, Strong of Body, Brave and Noble

Collins, Charlemagne

Davis, A History of Medieval Europe

France, Western Warfare in the Age of the Crusades, 1000-1300

Collateral Readings (On 1-hour reserve in the library):

Barratt, 'The English Revenue of Richard I'

Benjamin, 'A Forty Years War'

Bennett, 'The Medieval Warhorse Reconsidered'

Carpenter, 'Richard by His Contemporaries'

Crouch, 'Normans and Anglo-Normans'
Daly, 'Clovis: How Barbaric, How Pagan?'

Gillingham, 'Killing and mutilating political enemies in the British Isles from the twelfth to the early fourteenth century'

Gillingham, 'The Beginnings of English Imperialism'

Gillingham, 'William the Bastard at War'

Goffart, 'The Barbarians in Late Antiquity and How They Were Accommodated in the West'

Heiser, 'Richard I and His Appointments to English Shrievalities'

Loengard, 'Of the Gift of Her Husband'

Murray, 'Missionaries and Magic in Dark-Age Europe'
Prestwich, 'Military Intelligence under the Norman and Angevin Kings'

Prestwich, ' Richard Coeur de Lion'

Stacey, 'Anti-Semitism and the Medieval English State'
Strickland, 'Against the Lord’s anointed'

Turner, 'Richard Lionheart and English Episcopal Elections'

Wickham, 'The Fall of Rome Will Not Take Place'

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 mark in this course will be based on the following points.

1.      Tests: A written midterm and comprehensive final exam will be administered on the dates noted below. A study guide will be provided prior to the exam. Each exam counts for 25% of the grade.

2.   Written Assignments: A total of four written assignments will be submitted over the course of the semester. Students are advised to read and follow the instructions found in Writing History Research Papers. Each assignment is to be typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, and 1" margins. Each assignment will utilize the articles listed as the material for formulating a position on the given question.  Each paper counts for 25% of your grade.  Significant consideration will be given to those demonstrating improved writing skills over the course of the semester. Due dates are listed below.

Paper Assignments:  Material for the papers will be drawn from the collateral readings listed above. 

#1: (Daly, Goffart, Murray, and Wickham) – Not more than 5-pages, this paper will discuss the influence Rome and the barbarians had on each other and how those influences affected the course of history in the 'dark ages'.

#2: (Crouch, Gillingham, 'Beginnings', Gillingham, 'Killing and mutilating', Loengard, Stacey) – Not more than 5 pages, this paper will discuss the various social values as described in these articles.  What does this mean about the medievals and what does this mean to moderns?

#3: (Bennett, Gillingham, 'William the Bastard', Prestwich, Strickland) – Not more than 5 pages, this paper will discuss various aspects of medieval warfare, comparing the evidence presented by these historians with modern perceptions of medieval war.

#4: (Barratt, Benjamin, Carpenter, Heiser, Prestwich, 'Richard', Turner) - Not more than 5 pages, this paper will make an assessment of the career of Richard Lionheart.  Was he a successful king?  Why or why not?

Book/Reading Assignments:  The class will read and discuss three 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. 

3.   The student's four best grades from the papers and exams will be combined for determining the final mark in the course.

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

GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE:

I.          The Late Roman Empire, 284-c.500

A.        Diocletian and Constantine
B.        The Church
C.        Barbarian Invasions

II.         Early Middle Ages, 500-1000

A.        Emergence of Europe
B.        Charlemagne
C.        The Dark Ages and Feudalism

III.       High Middle Ages, 1000-1300

A.        Holy Roman Empire
B.        England and France
C.        Roman Catholic Church

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:

• January 9 – Regular class schedule begins
• January 15 – Last day to change course schedule
• January 21 – Martin Luther King Day – no class
• January 24 – Paper #1 due
• February 4-7 – Collins book discussed
• February 14 – Paper #2 due
• February 20 – Midterm
• February 27 – Mid-term reports come out soon
• February 27 – Last day to withdraw from course
• March 3-7 – Spring break – no class
• March 10-13 – France book discussed
• March 20 – Paper #3 due
• March 24 – Easter holiday – no class
• April 10 – Paper #4 due
• April 14-17 – Bouchard book discussed
• April 28 – Final Exam, period D, 9:00 a.m.

PURSUE EXCELLENCE!  

Excellence is Sorriness Leaving Your Life!

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