History 344
The High Middle Ages
Winter Semester 2009
Frank Luttmer
113 Classic Hall
historians@hanover.edu
Course Description and Objectives
A discussion-oriented seminar on the history of Western Europe from roughly the eleventh- through the early fourteenth-centuries, The High Middle Ages gives particular emphasis to political, religious, and cultural history. In addition to deepening understanding of the High Middle Ages, the course is designed to promote an understanding of historical context and perspective and to encourage the skills essential to historical inquiry, including the ability to define historical questions, analyze primary documents, evaluate alternative interpretations, develop coherent arguments, and communicate clearly and effectively.
Readings
1. William Chester Jordan, Europe in the High Middle Ages (Penguin) 0140166645
2. Norman Housley, Contesting the Crusades (Blackwell) 1405111895
3. Readings in Medieval History, ed. Patrick Geary, 3rd ed. vol. 2 (Broadview) 1551115522
4. Letters of Abelard and Heloise, Betty Radice, ed. (Penguin) 0140442979
5. Other readings and images, either distributed in class or linked to the web syllabus
Grades
Final grades will be based on an evaluation of the following.
1. Two exams (25% each)
The exams will consist of essay questions. In your essays, you will be expected (1) to isolate key themes and concepts and (2) to explain those themes and concepts with clarity and precision.
2. Oral presentation (10%) and accompanying written work (10%).
The 5-6 minute oral presentation and accompanying written work may be on any topic related to the content of the course, but the topic should be focused and precise. The presentation is a first draft of the final research paper. The presentation should be analytical and interpretive, not simply descriptive. It should present a thesis and develop an argument (and include potential counter-arguments). The accompanying written work should include an introductory paragraph (including a thesis statement), an outline of your argument (in sufficient detail to convey the logic and evidence of your argument), and a bibliography consisting of at least five substantive sources (this may vary depending on the topic). The grade will be based on the quality of the (1) thesis and argument, (2) organization, (3) logic, (4) evidence, (5) alternative interpretations, (6) sources, and (7) presentation.
3. Research paper (20%)
The research paper will be a revision of the presentation. Like the presentation, the paper is to be analytical and interpretive, not simply descriptive. It should present a thesis and develop an argument (and include potential counter-arguments). The length of the paper should be 5-6 pages. You are expected to use Interlibrary Loan when essential sources are unavailable through the Duggan Library. The grade will be based on the quality of the (1) thesis and argument, (2) organization, (3) logic, (4) evidence, (5) alternative interpretations, (6) sources, and (7) writing.
4. Class participation (10%)
The success of this class depends upon the quality of the dialogue in class. 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. Commentary on the presentations of others is included in the class participation grade.
Schedule
Jan. 7: Jordan, 1-19, 181-193; Geary, 60-66
Jan. 9: Jordan 20-37; Geary, 502-517
Jan. 12: Jordan, 38-65
Jan. 14: Jordan, 66-99
Jan. 16: Geary, 274-301
Jan. 19: Jordan, 100-112; Housely, vi-vii, 1-23
Jan. 21: Housely, 24-47; Geary, 81-91
Jan. 23: Geary, 92-116
Jan. 26: Jordan, 169-176; Housely, 48-98
Jan. 28: Housely, 99-143
Jan. 30: Jordan, 283-285; Housely, 144-166
Feb. 2: Jordan, 143-160; Geary, 424-441
Feb. 4: Jordan, 161-169; Geary, 467-478
Feb. 6: Jordan, 226-233; Geary, 352-370
Feb. 9: Jordan, 233-242; Geary, 447-453,460-466
Feb. 11: Jordan, 243-258; Geary, 312-328
Feb. 13: Jordan, 271-285; Geary, 502-517
Feb. 16: Jordan, 289-313
Feb. 18: Geary, 408-423
Feb. 20: Mid-term exam
Mar. 2: Jordan, 113-128; Geary, 9-22
Mar. 4: Jordan,213-224; Aquinas
Mar. 6: Jordan, 194-212; Geary, 1-8, 23-32
Mar. 9: Presentations
Mar. 11: Presentations
Mar. 13: Presentations
Mar. 16: Geary 144-166
Mar. 18: Geary, 33-59
Mar. 20: Abelard and Heloise
Mar. 23: Abelard and Heloise
Mar. 25: Abelard and Heloise
Mar. 27: Abelard and Heloise
Mar. 30: Jordan, 314-325; Geary, 198-218
Apr. 1: Geary, 241-273
Apr. 3: Jordan, 129-142; The Marriage of Sir Gawain
Apr. 6: Jordan, 259-270; Romanesque; Gothic
Apr. 8: Music
Apr. 10: Jordan, 327-328; Research paper due
Apr. 13-17: Final exam
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