History 342/542: The Late Middle Ages                      Professor Wertheimer

Spring 2001                                                                                         RT 1936, 687-3930

TR 1:00-2:50                                                                                       [email protected]

RT 317                                                                                                Office Hours: TR 3 – 4

http://www.geocities.com/l_wertheimer/                                                and by appointment

(note: the “l” is the letter l, not the number 1)

 

Required Texts:

Medieval Europe:  A Short History, by Hollister and Bennett (9^th ed), 2001

The Middle Ages Volume I:  Sources of Medieval History, by Brian Tierney (6^th ed), 1999

Selection from Diana Hacker, “A Pocket Guide to Style,” on Electronic Reserve

 

Course Overview:

In History 342, somewhat inaccurately entitled “The Late Middle Ages,” we will survey a dynamic period of European history that in many ways laid the foundations of modern Europe.  In this course, we will concentrate on the political, religious, intellectual, and social developments that occurred between 1000 and 1450, the period that includes the central or “High” Middle Ages as well as the Late Middle Ages.  Western Europe in 1000 referred to itself as a religious and cultural unit: Christendom.  In practice it was made up of many small communities: religious practices, political structures, and social organizations were all focused around small, local, personal units.  Intellectually, technologically, and economically, Europe was a backwater.  By the year 1450 we can see the basic outlines of Europe’s later nation-states.  European religion had flowered into a diversity of practices.  The medieval papacy had risen to a powerful international force and declined again, leaving significant changes in its wake.  The social structure of Europe was profoundly transformed by economic and demographic changes.  The great medieval institution of the university had developed, and European political and economic influence had spread well beyond the borders of Western Europe.

 

Course Expectations and Prerequisites:

History 342 is an upper-division course, designed for juniors and seniors.  If you are a sophomore, please see me for permission to take the course.  The course is not designed exclusively for history majors and does not assume that you have taken other history courses.  It is assumed, however, that you have experience in the skills that an upper-division writing course requires, such as analytical writing, note-taking, and preparing for and taking essay exams. 

 

You will notice that the reading load is much lighter than that required by many courses at this level.  I assign a lighter reading load because the primary sources from this period often need more intensive reading and careful thought than does an article or book about a period of history you are more familiar with.  The medieval period is often intellectually challenging as well.  I find that many students come to the course with ideas about this period in history or aspects of it (e.g. ideas about medieval kings, the medieval “church,” or medieval gender roles) that are inaccurate or overly simplistic.  It can be a challenge to think against those ideas, but the reward is a much richer comprehension of a fascinating period of history.  

 

The learning in this class is done in the classroom.  While the textbook gives a general overview of the period we’ll examine, the lectures provide greater detail and most of the analysis.  Regular if not daily attendance is necessary for you to perform well in the course, though I will only take attendance on days marked “discussion.”  I expect all students to conduct themselves with courtesy toward me and other students.  Please arrive at class on time and stay the entire period.  Cell phones and pagers must be turned off or set on the vibrating function.  Courtesy to other students means not only listening to and respecting each other’s questions and inputs on the reading, but also coming to discussions prepared so that you do not waste your colleagues’ time.

 

Course Goals and Requirements:

In History 342, you will practice critical analysis and historical writing.  The course will emphasize analyzing why events occurred or why they were important.  You will not simply memorize a narrative of dates and events.  We will emphasize understanding how medieval people probably saw the events that we will discuss.  To do this, we must read sources from the medieval time period: primary sources.  Primary documents that complement the lectures are assigned each week.  To help you work with the primary documents, discussions are periodically scheduled in the syllabus.  On those dates, you should come to class having carefully read all the primary sources assigned since the previous discussion.  You will then discuss the readings in smaller groups.  Exams will have both short answers and long essays, and you will write a substantial paper on the primary readings.  Both the exams and the paper will require you to demonstrate critical analysis and use of historical evidence.

 

Your grade in the course will be based on the exams, paper, and discussion. 

 

Exams:  25% each

Paper:  20%

Discussion:  5%

 

Exam Mechanics:

You must come to each exam with one large blue book (which can be purchased in the University Center or at the student bookstore) in which you will write the exam. If you come without a bluebook you will have to purchase one from me at an exorbitant price. 

 

Please make note of the exam dates.  The midterms are February 19 and April 6, and the final is on May 11.  If an emergency prevents you from being present on one of those dates, you must notify me within 48 yours of missing the exam, and I will arrange a make-up once you present documentation of the emergency.  It is your responsibility to follow up on arranging the makeup exam.  Please note: under no circumstances will make-ups will be given after the graded exams have been returned to the class.

 

If you have a medical or other condition that requires accommodation through Disabilities Services, please inform me in time to set up alternate arrangements for you for the exams. 

 

WAC Requirements

This course meets the WAC requirement through essay exams and a term paper.  The first draft of the paper (1200-1500 words, assignment to be handed out separately) will be due on March 25.  I will grade the paper, giving you comments on both writing and analysis, and return it to you by April 8.  Using these comments (and in consultation with me if you wish), you will revise the paper.  The second draft is due no later than April 29.  Your final paper grade will be determined by the average of these two grades.  Please note that you must receive a C in the class to earn WAC credit, and that if your writing is at a D level, you may receive a D in the class.

 

Late paper policy:  as with exams, if a legitimate emergency prevents you from turning in the paper on time, I will accept the paper late without penalty once you provide written documentation of the emergency.  If no such documentation is provided, the paper will be penalized 1/3 of a grade for each day it is late, weekends included.  For example: if your first draft is a “C+” but is turned in on Friday, March 26 (one day late), it will receive a C.  If second draft is a “B” but is turned in Monday, May 3 (four days late), it will receive a C-.

 

If you are unable to attend class on the day either draft is due, I will accept it by e-mail (and in fact I encourage electronic submission of the first draft, whether by e-mail or floppy disk).  If you choose to e-mail a paper rather than hand it in directly, however, you are accepting the possibility that the message may not come through, in which case you will incur late penalties.  I will acknowledge all e-mailed papers as soon as I receive them which, depending on my schedule, may be some time after you send them.  If you e-mail me a paper and do not receive a response by the end of the day, you should assume I did not receive it and follow up.

 

Important Dates and Deadlines:

Periodically students find that they cannot complete a course due to problems that arise after the semester begins.  Be aware of the deadlines for dropping the course.  The last day to withdraw from the course with no record on your transcript is January 30.  The last day to withdraw with a “W” on your transcript is April 2.  After that date withdraws are granted only by petition through the Arts and Sciences Advising Office.  It is your responsibility to withdraw by these deadlines if necessary.  If a problem emerges during the semester that may prevent you from completing the class, see me as soon as possible so we can work out the best way to address it.

 

Graduate Students

Graduate students enrolled in History 542 will complete all the above assignments and read and review five extra books.  Please see me for a reading list and deadlines.

 

Course Schedule

Readings from Hollister and Bennett’s Medieval Europe (ME) are assigned by week on the right side.  Readings from Tierney are listed by chapter (ch.) or section (sec.) on the day I expect to cover the material in class.

 

Week One                                                                  ME pp. 155-59 and chapter 8

1-20.  Introduction                                                                  

1-22.  The Three Orders and the Rise of Towns           

            Tierney sec. 34 and ch. 15

 

Week Two                                                                  ME pp. 203-10; 217-27; 242-48

1-27.  The Investiture Contest

            Tierney ch. 12.

1-29.  Expansion I, discussion

January 30 is the last day to withdraw from the class with no record on your transcript

 

Week Three                                                               ME pp. 188-94, 197-203, 227-236

2-3.  New Monasticism

            Tierney sec. 46

2-5.  Expansion II: the Crusades

            Tierney ch. 12.

 

Week Four                                                                 ME pp. 248-51, 308-18, 292-302      

2-10.  Cathedral Schools and Early Scholasticism

            Tierney sec. 44-45.

2-12.  The Twelfth-Century Renaissance

Tierney sec. 56, 58      

 

Week Five                                                                  ME pp. 302-308

2-17.  Women in the High Middle Ages, discussion

            Tierney sec. 56, 58

2-19.  Midterm I

 

Week Six                                                                               

2-24.  The Iberian World, discussion (paper planning)

2-26.  Government in the High Middle Ages I

            Tierney sec. 61 and chapter 24

 

Week Seven                                                               ME chapter 12                                    

3-2.  Government in the High Middle Ages II

            Tierney sec. 60, 71

3-4.  Papacy and Empire in the 13^th Century, discussion

            Tierney ch. 19

 

Week Eight                                                                ME pp. 195-197, 210-16, 252-64

3-9.  Heresy, the Papacy, and the Quest for Orthodoxy

            Tierney sec. 64, 65, 67, 68, 69

3-11.  Gothic and Romanesque Art

 

SPRING RECESS

 

Week Nine                                                                 ME pp. 318-322

3-23.  Urban Piety

            Tierney sec. 70

3-25.  Universities and Scholasticism                

            Tierney ch. 26 up to p. 280

** First Paper Draft Due

 

Week Ten                                                                   ME pp. 236 - 241

3-30.  Body of Christ, Body of the Church                   

            Tierney ch. 31

4-1.  Assessing the High Middle Ages, discussion

            Tierney sec. 66

April 2 is the last day to withdraw with a “W” on your transcript

 

Week Eleven                                                              ME pp. 265-67

4-6.  MIDTERM TWO

4-8.  Rome to Avignon

            Tierney sec. 85, 87

 

Week Twelve                                                             ME pp. 326-45, 379-84, 339-45

4-13.  Life in the Fourteenth Century

Tierney ch. 25

4-15  Disaster and Social Responses

            Tierney sec. 88, 89

 

Week Thirteen                                                           ME pp. 367-84 (focus on 379-84), 346-49

4-20.  Intellectual and Religious Change, discussion

            Tierney pp. 280-283

4-22.  Hundred Years’ War

 

Week Fourteen                                                          ME pp. 349-66

4-27.  Late Medieval Governments I

            Tierney ch. 32

4-29.  Late Medieval Governments II, discussion

** Second Paper Draft Due

 

Week Fifteen                                                             ME pp. 336-41

5-4. Crisis in the Church

            Tierney sec. 86, ch. 33

5-6. STUDY DAY: NO CLASS         

 

Final Exam:  Tuesday, May 11, 1-3 pm.