HIS 231
Medieval & Renaissance Europe

This course serves as an introduction to the historical and cultural heritage bequeathed to us from the societies of Europe from the collapse of the Roman Empire (ca. 500) to the beginning of the European age of Discovery (ca. 1500). Our primary focus will be on the acquisition of the basic skills needed to evaluate, analyze, and understand the principle events and the most important historical figures of this period. We will also become familiar with the essential chronology, geography, and the political/social institutions of the various societies we will encounter. While the structure of the course is essentially chronological, our main emphasis will be on several key themes that will guide our exploration of medieval history. These themes are: 1) the growth and development of Christianity 2) the creation of ?medieval" culture out of its Roman, Germanic, and Christian roots 3) the evolution of political and religious authority 4) the (re) shaping of individual and collective identity, and 5) the interaction and competition between the Catholic Church and secular authorities. We will also gain some familiarity with the variety of sources ? both material and literary ? from which historians construct interpretations of the past. We will learn how to evaluate, analyze, and interpret those historical sources. There are no prerequisites for this course, although an interest in history, healthy curiosity, and a willingness to think carefully about these societies and cultures would be an advantage.

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