Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 20 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Seminar | 5 x 1 Hour Seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | 1 x 2,000 word essay | 50% |
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours (1 x 1.5 hour exam) | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 1 x 2,000 word essay | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours (1 x 1.5 hour exam) | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the significant developments within European history between 1000 and 1517.
2. Evaluate a range of primary sources concerning medieval Europe.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the historiography and debates surrounding important themes in the social, political, religious and economic history of medieval Europe.
4. Identify and analyse historical evidence and present written arguments when discussing the period.
Aims
The purpose of the module is to give an introduction to the important themes and main developments of medieval history in Europe. This will form a basis for the study of medieval history in part two. The focus is upon the elements of faith, crisis and rebellion by studying the institutions of society and the crises and rebellions which affected this society. Students will be enabled to understand and discuss the main concepts and historical debates concerning the period.
Brief description
Crisis, rebellion and faith – the Middle Ages was a period where institutions such as the Church and kings had great authority and yet there were a number of developments that challenged this authority. This module will study a number of key themes in the period – from popes to Black Death and knights to heretics – while concentrating on authority and faith in society as well as crisis and rebellion which rocked this society. Europe as a whole will be studied, seeing how the continent changed from 1000 to 1517.The intention is to introduce the Middle Ages and provide a basis for further study of this period.
Content
1. Intro: Medieval Europe
2. The Church
3. Saints, relics and pilgrimage
4. Religious orders
5. Kingship
6. Warfare and chivalry
7. Crusades 1: Holy Land
8. Crusades 2: Spain and the Baltic
9. Jews and Muslims
10. Universities
11. Rebellion
12. Black Death
13. Economy and trade
14. Growth of towns
15. Papal Schism
16. Heresy
17. Protestant Reformation
18. Conclusion: Europe by 1540
Seminars:
1. The Church and society
2. Kingship
3. Crusades
4. Economy and crisis
5. Challenging the Church
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | N/A |
| Communication | Written communication skills will be developed through the coursework and written examination; skills in oral presentation will be developed in seminars but are not formally assessed. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will be advised on how to improve research and communication skills through the individual tutorial providing feedback on submitted coursework. |
| Information Technology | Students will be encouraged to locate suitable material on the web and to apply it appropriately to their own work. Students will also be expected to word-process their work and make use of Blackboard. These skills will not be formally assessed. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will develop a range of transferable skills, including time management and communication skills, which may help them identify their personal strengths as they consider potential career paths. |
| Problem solving | Students are expected to note and respond to historical problems which arise as part of the study of this subject area and to undertake suitable research for seminars and essays. |
| Research skills | Students will develop their research skills by reading a range of texts and evaluating their usefulness in preparation for the coursework and the written examination. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students will develop the ability to analyse relevant sources and critically discuss the secondary material. |
| Team work | Students will be expected to play an active part in group activities (e.g. short group presentations in seminars) and to learn to evaluate their own contribution to such activities. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4