HUM 1214 Medieval World
(Honor's)
SPRING 2001
Dr. Pryds
Lane Hall 353
Office Hours T/Th by appointment
Tel. 540-231-7004
email: dpryds@vt.edu
http://www.cis.vt.edu/fac/pryds
Term Paper Ideas
Study Guides
Web Resources
Important Dates to Remember
March 20:
Turn in signed statement of your project topic and bibliography of 5 sources.
This is a contract.
March 29: Turn in a summary of two sources
you have read.
April 12: Turn in the thesis of your paper.
May 1: Papers Due IN CLASS.
No Late papers will be accepted.
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This course is designed as an introduction to Medieval European Civilization,
c.300-1500. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on the various
kinds of sources scholars of the humanities use to understand and interpret
the past. The goal is to acquire a broad understanding of the sequence of
events and major cultural developments of
the period. In addition students will acquire skills of analyzing and interpreting
historical sources.
This class uses writing as a means of learning. Writing is an essential
skill required in all fields of study and professional levels of employment.
See my webpage under ìTeaching Philosophyî for further discussion
on why writing is an essential skill and why I stress writing in my classes.
All students should be prepared to write in correct, standard English on in-class
assignments, essay-exams, and essays. Proof-reading is essential.
Required Books
(In addition to the following books, students will be expected to
have internet access for materials on the Web.)
Your grade will be based on the following:
Midterm exam: 100 points
Take Home Final Exam: 100 points
Essay (#1): 100 points
Term Paper: 150
Class Participation: 50 points
TOTAL: 500 points
Exams are essay format. Please bring two bluebooks (available at
the bookstore) to the midterm exam.
The Schedule
Week One: Jan 16/18
What are the Middle Ages?
The Fall of Rome and its Legacy
Week Two-Three: Jan. 23/25/30 Feb. 1
Philosophical Traditions in the Early Middle Ages
What is true happiness? How do we prepare to face death? Is Capital
Punishment justified?
Read: Boethius, Consolation of Philosophy
Week Four: Feb. 6/8
Institutionalization of Christianity
Monasticism
Read: The Rule of St. Benedict
Essay #1 Due on Tuesday, Feb. 6. The essay is due in class; no late
papers will be accepted without serious cause documented with letter from
medical doctor or other relevant professional.
Week Five, Six, Seven: Feb. 13/15/20/22/27 Leadership in the Middle Ages
Kingship and Queenship
Gender and Political Authority
The Range of Royal Leadership: Political, Military, Cultural, Religious
The Papacy and the Growth of Papal Power
Read: The Two Lives of Charlemagne
Movie: The Lion in Winter
Midterm Exam: Thursday, March 1
Bring TWO Bluebooks to the Exam. Do not write anything including
your name on them or in them ahead of time.
Spring Break: March 5/7
Week Eight, Nine, Ten: March 13/15/20/22/27/29 Minority Groups and Methods
of Exclusion and Protection
Heresy and the Efforts to Create a Unified Christian Church
Jews and their Place in Medieval Europe
Mystics: Saints or Pathological?
Read: Jeffrey Richards. Sex, Dissidence, and
Damnation. Minority Groups in the Middle Ages; The Sorcery Trial of
Alice Kyteler, ed. L.S. Davidson and J.O. Ward
Labyrinth Walk: March 31/April 1
Week Eleven: April 3/5 Architecture
Cathedrals and the Transition from Romanesque to Gothic
Week Twelve: April 10/12 Islam
Islamic Mysticism
Read: The Koran; Poetry of Hafiz
Week Thirteen: April 17/19 Forms and Uses of Education
The Rise of Universities
Islamic Madrasa
Week Fourteen: April 24/26 Humor
Read: Fabliaux, Foul and Fair
Last Day of Class May 1