Syllabus
Fall 2011 |
|
HIST 331 / HUM 404 - The High Middle Ages |
Prof. Jarbel Rodriguez |
MWF 1:00 - 2:00 |
Classroom: HUM 119 |
Office: SCI 267A |
Phone: 415-338-1560 |
Office Hours: M 12-1; W 2-4; or by appt. |
e-mail: jarbel@sfsu.edu |
For a printable copy of the syllabus, click here.
This course will introduce the student to Europe in the High Middle Ages and provide a foundation based on politics, religious beliefs, social and cultural practices, and daily life. The High Middle Ages witnessed some of the most important events in European history—events that still affect us today—such as the Norman Invasion of England, the Crusades, the sealing of Magna Carta, the rise of the nation-state, the Reconquest of Spain, and the origins of the Renaissance. Over the course of the semester, through a combination of lectures and readings in primary and secondary sources, you will become knowledgeable of this fascinating world that will at times seem strangely alien but also increasingly familiar.
This course meets Segment III Requirements for those students who have completed their Segment I requirements and will be at least juniors by the end of this semester. It also fulfills the Segment III CESD requirement. Additional information may be found in the SFSU Bulletin.
Required Books
William C. Jordan, Europe in the High Middle Ages (London: Penguin Books, 2001)
Betty Radice, trans. The Letters of Abelard and Heloise (London: Penguin Books, 2003)
Marie de France, The Lais of Marie de France Glyn Burgess & Keith Busby, ed. (London: Penguin Books, 1999)
Geoffrey de Villehardouin and Jean de Joinville, Chronicles of the Crusades Margaret Shaw, ed. (London: Penguin Books, 1963)
Additional Readings will be available online (accessible through the online syllabus) and on e-reserve.
Grades
Class Participation: 10%
Midterm: 20% (Oct. 10)
Final Exam: 25% (Dec. 16)
Research Paper Abstract: 5% (Oct. 17)
Research Paper: 40% (Dec. 5)
Class Participation
Class participation makes up 10% of your grade—the equivalent of a full letter grade. It is measured mostly by your comments on the days that we have class discussions and during other class discussion time. The following points tend to characterize effective class participation:
1. Are the points made substantive and relevant to the discussion? Are they linked to the comments of others?
2. Do comments show that the participant has read and been listening?
3. Is the participant willing to interact with other class members?
4. Do comments show evidence of analysis?
5. Do comments add to our understanding?
6. Is there a willingness to test new ideas?
A small part of the participation grade will come from asking questions during lecture and attendance. I expect everyone to show up having read the assignments and ready to speak up. If you are very shy or believe that you cannot make useful comments, now is the time to get over it. Do not risk your grade by not speaking up.
Exams
There will be one midterm and a final. They will not be cumulative and both will follow the same format. Each will include 15 multiple-choice questions, 15 identifications, and one essay. I will provide the essay questions in advance for you to prepare before the test.
Research Paper (10 pages)
The research paper will be on a topic of your own choosing that relies significantly on primary sources—in other words, do not go and read a couple of books on your topic and tell me what they say. PAPERS THAT DO NOT USE PRIMARY SOURCES CAN NOT EARN A GRADE HIGHER THAN AN 80. Instead, put together a group of primary sources that address your particular topic, develop a thesis/argument and create a work of original scholarship. You are required to turn in an abstract that describes your paper topic along with a brief bibliography of sources and secondary material you are thinking about using. The abstract should contain a minimum of 6 primary and 6 secondary sources. Among the secondary sources, at least 2 must be articles, while the rest can be books. This is due on Oct 17 th. The research paper is due Dec 5 th. Substantial additional information is available in the class website under “Research Paper.” Make sure to use this resource and to understand the information it provides. Late papers will be accepted for one week after they are due and will be penalized 5% each day they are late. It is almost impossible to pass the course without turning in a research paper.
A Note on Cheating and Plagiarism
Cheating is the actual or attempted practice of fraudulent or deceptive acts for the purpose of improving one’s grade or obtaining course credit; such acts also include assisting another to do so. Plagiarism is a specific form of cheating which consists of the misuse of the published and/or unpublished works of others by misrepresenting the material so used as one’s own work. It includes “borrowing” ideas and quotations from books, articles, and websites. If you are not sure about something, double check with me. Ignorance of what constitutes plagiarism is not a defense against it. Cheating and/or plagiarism will result in a 0 in the assignment and could result in expulsion from the University. For more on the University’s policy regarding cheating and plagiarism, refer to the University Catalog (Policies and Regulations).
History Graduate Students
History graduate students will have to turn in a research paper 15-18 pages in length.
Disability Statement Policy
Students with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations are encouraged to contact the instructor. The Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC) is available to facilitate the reasonable accommodations process. The DPRC is located in the Student Service Building and can be reached by telephone (voice/TTY 415-338-2472) or by email (dprc@sfsu.edu).
Readings and Weekly Lecture Topics
Week 1: 8/24 – 8/26
Class Introduction and Europe in the Year 1000
Jordan, ch. 1
Week 2: 8/29 – 9/2
The Structures of Society
Jordan chs. 2-3
9/2: NO CLASS
Week 3: 9/5 – 9/9
Superstitions and Feudalism
Jordan, ch. 3
9/5: NO CLASS – LABOR DAY
9/9: Class Discussion / Beliefs and Superstitions
Burchard of Worms, “Corrector” [e-reserve]
“Tales of Relics”
“Discovery of the Head of John the Baptist”
Week 4: 9/12 – 9/16
The Political World of 11th Century Europe
Jordan, ch. 4, skim ch. 5
Week 5: 9/19 – 9/23
The Church
Jordan, ch. 6
9/19: Class Discussion / Abelard and Heloise
Betty Radice, Abelard and Heloise , 3 – 89
Week 6: 9/26 – 9/30
The Crusades
Jordan, ch. 7
Week 7: 10/3 – 10/7
Creating the Medieval State
Jordan, chs. 10 – 11
Week 8: 10/10 – 10/14
Knights and Culture
Jordan, chs. 8-9
10/10: MIDTERM
Week 9: 10/17 – 10/21
The World of Learning
10/17: ABSTRACTS DUE
Week 10: 10/24 – 10/28
Popes, Mendicants, and Inquisitors
Jordan, chs. 12-13
10/26: Class Discussion / The Inquisition
Fourth Lateran Council, “Canon 3, On Heretics”
Bernard Gui, “Inquisitorial Technique”
Angelo Clareno, “On an Inquisitorial Torture Section”
Confession of Agnes of Francou
Confession of Arnaud Gelis
Confession of Barthélemy Amilhac
Confession of Baruch
Week 11: 10/31 – 11/4
The Thirteenth Century – I
Jordan, chs. 14-15, skim ch. 16
Week 12: 11/7 – 11/11
The Thirteenth Century – II
Jordan, chs. 17-18
11/9: Class Discussion / The Crusades
Villehardouin and Joinville, Chronicles of the Crusades, 167-264, 331-354 [141-245; 312-336 in Smith Translation]
Week 13: 11/14 – 11/18
Religion and Sexuality
11/16 : Class Discussion / Marie de France
Marie de France, The Lais of Marie de France, 43-126
Week 14: 11/22 – 11/26
FALL RECESS – NO CLASS
Week 15: 11/28 – 12/2
Technology and the Environment
12/3: NO CLASS – FINISH RESEARCH PAPERS
Week 16: 12/5 – 12/9
Entertainment and the Popular Middle Ages
Jordan, Epilogue
12/5: RESEARCH PAPER DUE
Week 17:12/12