The death of Charlemagne in 814 ushered in a period critical to the formation of medieval Europe. From the ninth to the thirteenth centuries, Europe experienced significant migration of peoples and witnessed the emergence of enduring political, legal, and social institutions. At the same time, divisions between and consolidation of religious institutions took place alongside the flourishing of dynamic intellectual and cultural centres, while expanding horizons to the north, south and east of Europe led to both productive and violent exchanges with peoples and places beyond the continental mainland.
Adopting a Global Middle Ages approach, this course will examine medieval Europe between c. 850 and 1300 from the twin perspectives of cultures and conflicts. To consider the important role these interlinked facets of medieval life played in shaping the European world, this course will explore a range of topics, including Viking raids and Norse settlement in Europe; the spread of Christianity; Angevins and empire; crusades; Mediterranean cultures, including those in Sicily and Al-Andalus; heresies and religious persecution; and Mongol invasions. By assessing cultures and conflicts across Europe in the centuries after the reign of Charlemagne, students will analyse, interpret, and develop arguments about political structures, social systems, and cultural phenomena that shaped medieval Europe and would have a lasting impact on the centuries to come.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- identify and critically discuss key social, political, and cultural events/structures shaping medieval Europe;
- evaluate and analyse medieval sources for and scholarly debates about key events/structures shaping medieval Europe at an advanced level;
- develop and execute an historical research project critically engaging with medieval sources and relevant historiography;
- formulate logical arguments substantiated with medieval evidence; and
- express ideas and arguments about medieval Europe effectively and clearly in both written and oral modes of communication.
Indicative Assessment
- Tutorial and forum participation (10) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Source analysis, 1000 words (15) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Research proposal, 1500 words (20) [LO 2,3]
- Research Essay due in Examination Period, 3500 words (55) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorial and tutorial-like activities; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
There are no prescribed texts, although students are strongly encouraged to read the preliminary texts listed in Indicative Readings.
Preliminary Reading
The following items are recommended as preliminary readings in order of priority:
Bartlett, Robert , The Making of Europe: Conquest, Colonization and Cultural Change, 950-1350 (London: Penguin, 1993)
Arnold, John A., What is Medieval History? (Cambridge: Polity, 2008)
Bull, Marcus, Thinking Medieval: An Introduction to the Study of the Middle Ages (Houndmills: Palgrave, 2005); ANU e-book
Assumed Knowledge
As this is a graduate unit, some familiarity with source analysis and essay writing skills is highly recommended.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $3360 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $5160 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9412 | 22 Jul 2019 | 29 Jul 2019 | 31 Aug 2019 | 25 Oct 2019 | In Person | N/A |
