Fall 2006 TR 1:00-2:40 LH 333
Dr. Erika Lindgren
314 Luther Hall
Office Hours: By appointment and
MF 10:45-11:45 / T 2:50-3:50
This course examines the social, political, religious, economic, legal, and intellectual development of civilization in Europe, and to some extent its neighbors, during the period known as the Middle Ages.
Course Goals: By the end of the term you should be able to:
1. Express a broad understanding of why and how medieval civilization developed. This is the “Big Picture.”
2. Show knowledge of the key historical figures, events and institutions that shaped this civilization.
3. Read, discuss, and write about medieval primary source documents.
4. Plan and implement a research project that produces a seminar length paper.
5. Understand how historians practice their craft.
6. Uncover some of the links between our current society and that of the past.
7. Have some fun!
Judith Bennett, A Medieval Life,
Barbara Rosenwein, A Short History of the Middle Ages, Broadview- Hereafter as Short
On-line readings on webpage.
Website: http://faculty.wartburg.edu/lindgrene contains copies of the syllabus, assignments, and links to online readings.
Readings- You are responsible for the readings assigned in this syllabus. On the day that they are assigned you should complete them before class. Always bring the day’s reading to class. Taking notes on what you read, on your computer, in a notebook, or in the margins of the text, will assist you in summarizing and remembering the major points of the texts. Despite its ease, highlighting is rarely helpful
Short paper- This paper will analysis a primary source and will be 3-4 pages in length.. More information to follow.
Themes paper- This 5-7 page paper will serve to showcase what you have learned in the course. More information to follow.
Research Project- Each student will undertake an individual research project that involves both primary and secondary sources. Each student will submit a project proposal (graded), a bibliography of sources (not graded, but mandatory), an outline (graded), a draft of roughly 10 pages (not graded, but mandatory), and a final paper of roughly 15 pages- not including bibliography, appendices, or images.
Late work will not be accepted unless prior arrangement has been made with the professor.
Participation-Any in-class writing assignments or quizzes will count towards your participation grade. All students are expected to contribute to the discussion of class readings and lectures.
Grading and Attendance Policy
Short paper 10%
Themes paper 25%
Paper proposal 5%
You are responsible for all material covered in the classes you miss. If you miss more than 10% of the class meetings, your final course grade will be docked. Missing class also means you can not contribute to your participation in class.
Plagiarism is the representation of the work or ideas of others as your own. Plagiarism can result from failing to cite a source, giving sufficient credit to the original authors, closely paraphrasing without attribution, and direct copying. The Academic Policies Committee of Student Senate and the Honor Council have asked faculty to remind students that they have a “…responsibility to promote academic honesty by opposing cheating and plagiarism and reporting dishonest work”. All forms of plagiarism and cheating will result in severe academic penalties, which include receiving a failing grade for the course. ALL WORK YOU TURN IN MUST BE YOUR OWN PRODUCED FOR THIS CLASS!
"The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protection from illegal discrimination for qualified individuals with disabilities. Students requesting instructional accommodations due to disabilities must arrange for such accommodations by contacting the Dean of Students Alexander Smith. He can be reached at the Student Life Office, Wartburg College, Luther Hall 206, 352-8260, <email@example.com>"
2. Please turn off all cell phones, pagers, beepers, and noisy watches.
3. You may only record my classes with my permission.
4. If you know you must leave early, let me know before class and sit near the door.
5. Limit exiting and reentering the classroom during the class period. It is disruptive to your fellow students and distracting to the professor.
6. Make sure you put your name on everything you turn in!
7. Follow the directions on all assignments! It will save headaches and heartaches.
8. I have nothing against food and drink in the classroom. Just make sure it is not too messy, smelly, or noisy- NO chips!! AND PICK UP AFTER YOURSELF!
Schedule of Classes: Readings to be completed before class on the day they are listed.
Week 1 9/7 Introduction. Discuss topics
Week 2 9/12 Read: Short, chapter 1 and 2
9/14 Read: Extracts from the Rule of St. Benedict; One Saint's Life of your choice: St. Antony (4th c.); St. Macrina (4th c.); St. Matrona (5/6th c.); St. Eligius (6th c.); St. Benedict (6th c.); St. Columba (6th c.); St. Columbanus (6/7th c.); St. Kentigern [Mungo] (6/7th c.); Willibord (7th c.); St. Cuthbert (7th c.); Sts. Robert and Erendruda (7/8th c.); St. Leoba (8th c.); St. Boniface (8th c.); St. Anskar (9th c.)
Week 3 9/19 Meet in Classroom 2, Vogle Library
Read: A tiny piece from Gregory of Tours and Early Law Codes Read the first 7 entries- skimming the Old-Irish text, and selectively looking at the Full Visigothic Code [Forum iudicum]
9/21 Paper proposal due
Read: Documents related to slaves/slavery under social classes Keep an eye on the dates!
Week 4 9/26 Read: Short, chapter 3 and 4
9/28 Read: Einhard, Life of Charlemagne
Week 5 10/3 Read: Articles on Feudalism
10/5 Read: Handouts
Week 6 10/10 Read: Short, chapter 5
10/12 Bibliography due
Read: Investiture controversy sources
Week 7 10/17 Read: Crusades material. Crusades project.
10/19 Short paper due Read: Ruth Mazo Karras, "Sharing Wine, Women, and Song. . . " Handout and Sharon Farmer, "Down and Out and Female in Thirteenth-Century Paris," American Historical Review, 1998. [J-STOR]
Week 8 10/24 Read: Short, chapter 6 and 7
10/26 Fall Break
Week 9 10/31 Read: A Medieval Life
11/2 Read: A Medieval Life
Week 10 11/7 Outline due
Read: nothing- work on draft
11/9 Read: Readings on the Black Death on medieval internet sourcebook
Week 11 11/14 Read: nothing- work on draft
11/16 Draft Due
Week 12 11/21 Conferences this week
Read: Chapter 8
11/23 Thanksgiving Break
Week 13 11/28 Read: Pamela Nightingale, "Knights and Merchants: Trade, Politics, and the Gentry in Late Medieval England," Past and Present, August 2000 [J-STOR]
11/30 Themes paper due
Week 14 12/5 Presentations
Finish version of research paper is due before 10 am on Wednesday December 13 in my office.
The professor reserves the right to make changes to syllabus, and will notify students when she does so.