Winter 2000: The High Middle Ages

History 344:
The High Middle Ages
Winter Semester 2000
Frank Luttmer
108 Classic Hall
M W F: 10-12
866-7205 (office) 866-4073 (home)
historians@hanover.edu

Course Description and Objectives
This course is a discussion-oriented seminar on the history of Western Europe from roughly the eleventh- through the thirteenth-centuries, with particular emphasis given to political, religious, and cultural history. Readings include a detailed narrative survey, an interpretive history of ideas, essays on the Crusades, and a wide variety of primary sources. In addition to increasing your understanding of the High Middle Ages, the course is designed to deepen your appreciation of the study of history, strengthen your capacity to think critically and analytically, and improve your research and writing skills. You will be expected to analyze primary documents carefully and thoughtfully, develop and defend your own interpretations, and write a substantive research paper.

Readings
1. Malcolm Barber, The Two Cities: Medieval Europe, 1050-1320
2. Marcia Colish, Medieval Foundations of the Western Intellectual Tradition
3. Jonathan Riley-Smith, ed., The Crusades
4. Internet Texts (links to which appear on the schedule below)

Grades
Final grades will be based on an evaluation of the following.

1. Two mid-term exams (15% each) and a final exam (20%)

Exams will consist of essay questions. Each of the three exams will cover roughly one-third of the course; the third exam will also include a comprehensive section.
2. A Research paper submitted in two drafts (15% for the first draft and 25% for the second)

The research paper can be on any topic related to the High Middle Ages. The paper is to be analytical and interpretive; it should present a thesis and develop an argument. It is incumbent upon you to define and develop a thesis. The first draft should be approximately five to seven pages in length, and the second draft seven to nine.
You are encouraged to use primary sources, and you are expected to examine the historiographical context of your topic. Secondary sources should consist mostly of scholarly articles and books, not simply reference material and textbooks. First drafts may be limited to sources available in the Duggan Library, but you are expected to use Interlibrary Loan to obtain additional sources for the final draft. You should include with your first draft a bibliography based on a universal search for sources.
The grade of each draft will be based on the quality of the thesis and argument, the quality of the evidence and logic, and the quality of the writing. The grade of the first draft will also reflect the quality of your bibliography (based on a universal search), and the second draft will reflect the quality of the sources used. You should consult with me about your paper at least a week before each draft is due.
3. Class participation and daily writing assignments (10%)

Because this course is a small seminar, its success depends upon the quality of the dialogue in class. It is expected that you will attend every class and that you will be fully prepared to discuss the material assigned for that day. Class participation grades will reflect your attendance record, the frequency of your contributions to class discussions, and the quality of your questions, observations, and conclusions.

Schedule

Foundations of Christianity in the West
Jan. 12
Latin Church Fathers
Colish, x-xii, 3-24; Tertullian; Ambrose
Jan. 14
Augustine and Gregory
Colish, 25-41; Augustine
Jan. 17
Monks, Celts, and Germans
Colish, 42-75; Rule of Benedict; Rule of Columba

The Byzantine Empire, Islam, Judaism, and Latin Christendom
Jan. 19
Byzantine Culture
Colish, 113-128; Dionysius; Council; John of Damascus
Jan. 21
Islam
Colish, 129-148; Quran; Hadith; al-Ghazali
Jan. 24
Judaism
Colish, 148-159; Halevi
Jan. 26
The West: 10-12th Centuries
Colish, 160-182; Anselm and Guanilo

The Three Estates
Jan. 28
The First and Second Estate
Barber, 1-42; Homage; Agreement
Jan. 31
The Third Estate and the Economy
Barber, 43-82; Guibert; Charter; Wharram Percy

Monasticism
Feb. 2
Cistercians and 12th Century Monasteries
Barber, 141-155; Colish, 225-233; Bernard; Jocelin
Feb. 4
Guibert, Abbot of Nogent
Guibert
Feb. 7
Abelard and Heloise
Abelard; Heloise
Feb. 9
The Friars
Barber, 155-167; Colish, 234-244; Thomas of Celano
Feb. 11
FIRST EXAM

The Papacy, Popular Religion, and Heresy
Feb. 14
The Reformed Papacy
Barber, 85-118; Investiture Controversy
Feb. 16
Popular Religion
Barber, 168-177; Sermon Stories
Feb. 18
Heresy
Barber, 177-192; Colish, 245-252; Inquisition Records

The Earthly City
Feb. 21
The Empire
Barber, 194-224; The Besançon Episode
Feb. 23
Sicily
Barber, 225-250; Lictere Generales
Feb. 25
Italian City-States
Barber, 251-270; Villani
Mar. 6
France
Barber, 271-304; Joinville; Louis IX
Mar.8
England
Barber, 305-340; Grim; Magna Carta
Mar. 10
Iberia
Barber, 341-364; Arxiu Capitular of Vic
Mar. 13
Eastern and Northern Europe
Barber, 365-395

The Crusades
Mar. 15
Origins of the Crusades
Riley-Smith, Chs. 1 and 2; Fulcher;
Ekkehard; Anna Comnena
Mar. 17
Motives and Logistics
Riley-Smith, Ch. 3
FIRST DRAFT OF PAPER DUE
Mar. 20
State of Mind
Riley-Smith, Ch. 4; Letters
March 24
SECOND EXAM
Mar. 31
The Military Orders
Riley-Smith, Ch. 9; Bernard
April 3
The Latin East
Riley-Smith, Ch. 6; Villehardouin
April 5
Islam and the Crusades
Riley-Smith, Ch. 10; Usmah Ibn Munqidh

Universities and Scholasticism
April 7
Thirteenth Century
Colish, 289-301; Aquinas

Culture
April 10
Court Culture, Women, and Literature
Colish, 183-199; The Marriage of Sir Gawain; Letter to Eleanor
April 12
Art and Architecture in the Latin West
Images of Gothic Architecture
April 14
Music
Colish, 200-212; Riley Smith, Ch. 5; Medieval Music
FINAL DRAFT OF PAPER DUE
Apr. 17, 9-12 AM
FINAL EXAM

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