NOTE: This course was last offered in 1996. The syllabus will undergo substantial revision when I next teach it.
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
  • Informed participation in class discussions (up to 40%)
  • Two short papers, due October 4th and November 11th (15-20% each)
  • Term paper or final examination, due December 10th (30-40%)
   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)
  • Malcolm Barber,The Two Cities: Medieval Europe 1050-1320
  • Robert Bartlett,The Making of Europe: Conquest, Colonization and Cultural Change, 950-1350
  • Theodore Evergates,Feudal Society in Medieval France: Documents from the County of Champagne
  • Brian Tierney,The Middle Ages,vol. 1, Sources of Medieval History
  • The Death of King Arthur
NB: There will be occasional handouts to supplement these books.
TOPICS AND READINGS
I. MEDIEVAL WORLD(S): Unity and diversity, continuity and change   (Sept. 4 - Sept. 11)
Barber, The Two Cities , introduction, chapters 1 and 2
Bartlett, The Making of Europe , introduction, chapters 1 and 2
Tierney, Sources , nos. 30, 34
Handouts
II. THE RURAL WORLD  (Sept. 13 - Oct. 4)
Peasants
Bartlett, chapter 6
Evergates, Feudal Society , nos. 16-17 [Note: be sure to read the introductory matter to the sections in this book]
Tierney, nos. 29, 74-76, 83
Lords
Bartlett, chapter 3
Evergates, introduction (pp. xvii-xxxiii), nos. 1-15, 55-73, 96-97
Tierney, nos. 31-33
Monks, nuns, and priests
Barber, chapter 6, pp. 141-155 only
Bartlett, chapter 10, pp. 255-260 only
Evergates, nos. 44-50, 101-108
Tierney, nos. 20, 53, 60
Crusades
Barber, chapter 5
Bartlett, chapter 10, pp. 260-268 only
Evergates, nos. 81-95
Tierney, nos. 39-41, 50
III. THE URBAN WORLD  (Oct. 7 - Oct. 25)
Towns and townspeople
Barber, chapter 3 and (optional) chapter 10
Bartlett, chapter 7
Evergates, nos. 18, 20-24
Tierney, nos. 45-49
Friars, heretics, and Jews
Barber, chapter 6, pp. 155-167 and chapter 7
Evergates, no. 19
Tierney, nos. 61-65
Education and thought
Barber, chapter 17
Tierney, nos. 42-44, 52, 77-78
IV. LOVE AND MARRIAGE  (Oct. 28 - Nov. 1)
Evergates, nos. 25-43, 51-54
Tierney, nos. 51, 54
Handouts
V. RULERS, STATES, AND LAW  (Nov. 4 - Nov. 20)
Papacy and Empire
Barber, chapters 4 and 8
Bartlett, chapter 10, pp. 243-255 only
Tierney, nos. 35-38, 57-59, 80, 82
Lord-kings in France and England
Barber, chapters 11 and 12
Tierney, nos. 55-56
Force and law
Bartlett, chapters 4 and 8
Tierney, nos. 66-73
VI. EVALUATIONS, I : AN ARTHURIAN TALE  (Nov. 22 - Nov. 25)
The Death of King Arthur
VII. EVALUATIONS, II : SCHOLARS AT WORK  (Dec. 2 - Dec. 6)
Barber, chapter 19
Bartlett, chapters 11 and 12