DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
TRENT UNIVERSITY
HIST/AHCL 2051H: EARLY MEDIEVAL EUROPE, 300-1050
2016 WI
Peterborough
Instructor:
Prof. Fiona Harris-Stoertz
Trent Email:
fharris@trentu.ca
Office Telephone: 705 748 1011 ex. 7097
Home: 705 652 9685 (7am-10 pm only)
Campus:
Peterborough
Office Location:
Champlain College K4
Office Hours: Tuesdays 9-10, Thursdays 2-3
or by appointment/drop in
Secretary:
Ms. Francisca Eckstein
Office Location:
EC S101.3
Email:
history@trentu.ca
Telephone:
748-1011 ex. 7706
Course Description:
This course explores Medieval Europe from the birth of the Christian religion and the collapse of the Roman
Empire in the West through the establishment of “barbarian” kingdoms, the survival and transformation of
the Eastern Roman Empire, the spread of Islam, the Carolingian Renaissance, the ninth and tenth century
invasions, and finally Europe’s gradual recovery and reorganization around the year 1000. Our focus will be
on Western Europe, although developments in Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean world, and the Middle
East will be discussed in considerable depth some weeks.
Required Texts:
Judith M. Bennett, Medieval Europe: A Short History (New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 2011), eleventh
edition. Note: this text is expensive and you may prefer to use the library reserve copy.
Fiona Harris-Stoertz, ed. History 2051H Coursepack: The Early Middle Ages (Peterborough: Trent
University, 2016) available free of charge on Blackboard (copyright free material).
Useful Resources:
Please also see the list of links to other useful websites on the course Blackboard site.
 Atlas of Medieval Europe
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http://site.ebrary.com/lib/ocultrent/docDetail.action?docID=10056193&p00=middle%20ages%20war%3F
MedievalEuropeOnline.com: Website maintained by Bennett to support her textbook (open access)
The Chicago Manual of Style at http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html
Online History Skills Workbook at http://www.trentu.ca/history/workbook/.
Blackboard:
This course uses Blackboard. I’ll post lecture outlines there before every lecture and you will also find
copies of the syllabus, course pack, essay handouts, and helpful search aids there, in addition to links to
useful websites.
Course Format:
Peterborough Campus: Please check http://www.trentu.ca/timetable/ to confirm times and locations.
Type
Day
Time
Location
Lecture
Friday
9:00-10:50
OCA 208
Seminar W-01
Friday
12:00-12:50
CC C3
Seminar W-03
Friday
1:00-1:50
CC C3
Seminar W-02
Friday
2:00-2:50
CC A1
Learning Objectives:
HIST/AHCL 2051H is intended to introduce students to the history of early medieval Europe. Students will
be encouraged to develop strong research and writing skills through library skills training and independent
research projects, using both primary and secondary sources and formulating original historical arguments.
An important component of the course is the reading and interpretation of primary sources. Students will be
encouraged to develop their oral communication skills through weekly small group discussions, developing
their critical thinking and ability to conceptualize. Students on completing the course successfully should
understand the basic conventions of historical writing, the rules of academic integrity and professionalism,
the importance of personal initiative and accountability, and the evolving nature of historical knowledge.
Course Evaluation:
Type of Assignment
Participation
Primary Source Essay (3-4 pages)
Research Essay Proposal and Annotated Bibliography
Research Essay (7-8 pages)
Scheduled Final Examination
Weighting
20%
15%
5%
30%
30%
Due Date
ongoing
9a.m. Feb. 5
9 a.m. March 1
10 a.m. March 22
As scheduled
Please note that the deadline to drop winter courses is March 3, 2016. I expect to return primary source
essays and notify students of their seminar grade for the first half of the course before that date.
Participation
Seminar attendance and participation are a valuable part of this course, allowing you to improve your oral
communication skills and share your ideas with your classmates. Your participation should show that you
have read and thought about all the assigned readings. In addition to answering the questions provided in the
course pack, think about what the readings reveal about such topics as government, religion, education and
intellectual activities, art and architecture, social organization, science and technology, warfare, economy,
class differences, gender roles, and values. I will record a grade for every seminar. Your term participation
grade is the average of your weekly seminar grades. If you make several useful contributions to our
discussion (aim for around 5-6) that reflect a good knowledge of the assigned readings, I will give you an A
for participation that week. If you attend but participate little or not at all, or appear to have read only part of
the readings, your grade will be lower (40% if you attend, but say nothing). If you miss a seminar, your
grade for that week will be 0, unless you attend another seminar that week or submit reading notes within the
next two weeks (maximum of two, except by special arrangement). If you attend regularly, but have
difficulty participating in discussions, you may submit notes each week before seminar begins in place of
participation. Notes may be in point form, but should cover all the assigned course pack readings and
highlight the major ideas (700 word minimum). Email submissions, including legible scans/photos of
handwritten notes, are encouraged.
You’ll need to refer to the course pack readings in seminars. Please bring the readings to class on an
electronic device or in print form. The course pack readings are in Microsoft Word.
Primary Source Essay (Due hard copy and SafeAssign: 9 a.m. (before lecture), Feb. 5)
You will write a 3-4 page (text 12 point type double spaced; notes 10 point single spaced) essay based on a
primary source document, “The Saga of Erik the Red”, available on Blackboard. The goal is to make an
argument about some aspect (your choice) of early medieval Scandinavian society, using ONLY the primary
source document provided. No additional research is required or recommended. The assignment is intended
to help you develop your skill in making an original argument based on primary source evidence. You will
be graded on the quality of your writing, organization, argument, analysis, and use of evidence. Essays must
be in appropriate essay format and include footnotes and bibliographies in Chicago format. If you consult
outside sources, you must include them in your bibliography. Please see essay instructions for more detail.
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Research Essay (Due hard copy and SafeAssign: 10 a.m. March 22)
You will write an original 7-8 page (text 12 point type double spaced; notes 10 point single spaced) research
essay on an aspect of the early Middle Ages (300-1050 C.E.) of your choice. Your essay should focus on
your original analysis and interpretation of primary source documents in the context of your reading of
secondary scholarship. Your topic must be approved by me, and should not be one that you have explored in
another course. I encourage you to meet with me during the term to discuss topics, primary source
documents, and research strategies. I will also comment verbally on an outline or rough draft (in person, not
by email please), if you arrange to meet with me at least two days before your deadline. Research papers
should cite a minimum of 7 scholarly secondary sources (books or articles from scholarly journals), as well
as primary source document(s) of at least 15 pages. Please include a section on the historiography of your
research question near the beginning of your essay. You will be graded on the quality of your writing,
analysis, and organization; the depth of your research and knowledge of your subject; and on how well you
construct and support your argument with evidence. Essays must be in appropriate essay format and include
footnotes and bibliographies in Chicago format. Please familiarize yourself with essay writing guidelines at
http://www.trentu.ca/history/workbook/. Detailed essay instructions, guides to reference works in Bata,
primary source suggestions, and lists of useful websites (many including primary sources) are available on
Blackboard. There is a scheduled library skills workshop to help you find sources.
Essay Proposal and Annotated Bibliography (Due by in-text email 9 a.m. March 1)
All students must submit an essay proposal and annotated bibliography. The proposal should describe the
topic or question you plan to write about, and list the issues you think will be important to discuss in your
essay. Please provide a description of your primary source, including a full bibliographic entry, the identity
of the author, when and where it was written, a brief description of its scope and content, and why it is an
appropriate choice for the topic you have chosen. Your bibliography should include bibliographic entries (in
correct format) and brief descriptions of at least eight relevant secondary sources (books or articles). Please
see essay instructions for more detail.
Final Exam
There will be a final exam in the scheduled exam period. It will be two hours in length and consist of essay
and short identification questions. The exam covers all lectures, readings, and seminar discussions. You can
view a recent exam on Blackboard. Please note that readings supplement but do not duplicate lectures. It’s
important to attend all lectures and do all the readings.
Office Hours
I’m usually in my office 8:00-3:00 or later on weekdays, unless I’m teaching or have meetings (I teach most
of the day on Tuesdays and Fridays this term). While I’ve listed two official office hours when I promise to
be in my office unless I notify the class by email otherwise, you are also very welcome to drop by my office
any other time I’m there. Don`t ever feel that you are "bugging" me by calling me, coming to my office, or
making appointments. I am here to help you. One of the most enjoyable aspects of teaching is getting to
know my students—it is genuinely a privilege in most cases—and I’ll be very pleased to chat with you one
on one. I will gladly discuss course material and assignments, read and comment on a rough draft, or help
you with other issues. I usually check my email frequently when I’m in my office (not necessarily evenings)
and am quick to reply, although occasionally the sheer bulk of the email I receive can cause delay. If you
ever don’t receive an email reply within 48 hours, please assume your original email was lost and resend.
Please don’t hesitate to ask questions or to ask for help. You can contact me by sending a message via email
or by phoning me. Often you will find that I am better able to answer questions over the phone or in person
than via email (although I don’t mind email questions), since we can better discuss options and alternatives.
Please try to use your Trent email when sending messages to me (and other Trent Profs). If you must use
other email addresses, be sure to put the course title in the heading.
Course Policies:
Late assignments will receive a penalty of three percent per calendar day late (87 becomes 84). You may ask
for an extension in writing at least two weeks in advance of a deadline if you know that the deadline is
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problematic for you. This option is offered to encourage you to plan ahead. Extensions within two weeks of
a deadline will be given only in the case of documented (and serious) illness or misfortune.
All written assignments must include complete and correct footnotes (no parenthetical notes) and
bibliographies in the Chicago Manual of Style format, which is standard for history essays. The Chicago
Manual is available online at http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html. Please also familiarize
yourself with guidelines for essay writing described on the Online History Skills Workbook, available at
http://www.trentu.ca/history/workbook/.
Academic Integrity:
Academic dishonesty, which includes plagiarism and cheating, is an extremely serious academic offence and
carries penalties varying from failure on an assignment to expulsion from the University. Definitions,
penalties, and procedures for dealing with plagiarism and cheating are set out in Trent University’s
Academic Integrity Policy. You have a responsibility to educate yourself – unfamiliarity with the policy is
not an excuse. You are strongly encouraged to visit Trent’s Academic Integrity website to learn more:
www.trentu.ca/academicintegrity.
Access to Instruction:
It is Trent University's intent to create an inclusive learning environment. If a student has a
disability and documentation from a regulated health care practitioner and feels that he/she may
need accommodations to succeed in a course, the student should contact the Student Accessibility
Services Office (SAS) at the respective campus as soon as possible, (Peterborough, Blackburn
Hall, Suite 132, 705-748-1281 or email sas@trentu.ca For Trent University – Durham, Thornton
Road, Room 111 contact 905-435-5102 ext. 5024 or email corinnphillips@trentu.ca Complete
text can be found under Access to Instruction in the Academic Calendar.
Safe Assignment:
Both essays must be submitted electronically to the SafeAssign drop box in Blackboard. SafeAssign utilizes
plagiarism-checking software. Further information about SafeAssign will be provided on the class
Blackboard site. You will also be required to submit paper copies of the essays.
My Allergies:
I have serious allergies to artificial fragrances and cigarettes. Please do not wear colognes, perfumes, or
perfumed hair sprays to class or office hours, and please don’t sit next to me or come to see me immediately
after smoking cigarettes. Normal personal care products, such as shampoos, deodorants, gels, and mousses
are almost never an issue, so please don’t worry about any of these.
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Week-by-Week Schedule of Topics and Readings:
Week 1 (January 8): The Early Middle Ages: An Overview
Read: Bennett, i-5
Seminar meets this week and attendance is mandatory
Week 2 (January 15): Rome: A Mediterranean Empire
Read: Bennett, 5-8, Coursepack, 1-19: Augustus, “Res Gestae Divi Augusti”; Pliny the Elder, “The
Grandeur of Rome”; Josephus, “The Roman Army”; Quintilian, “The Ideal Education”; Pliny the
Younger, “Letters”; Juvenal, Satire III: On the City of Rome”; Cato the Elder, “Agriculture”;
“Corpus Iuris Civilis: Marriage Laws”; Juvenal, “Satire VI: The Women of Rome”; Tacitus,
“Rebuilding the Temple of Jupiter”; Lucius Apuleius, “Isis, Queen of Heaven”; “Edict of Augustus
on Jewish Rights”.
Week 3 (January 22): The Rise of Christianity
Read: Bennett, 8-18; Coursepack, 20-46: “The Gospel According to Mark”; Marcus Minucius Felix,
“Octavius: Charges against Christians”; Hippolytus, “Apostolic Tradition”; Trajan and Pliny;
“Letters”; Origen, “On Classical Learning”; Perpetua, "The Passion of Ss. Perpetua and Felicity";
Tertullian, “On Pagan Learning”; Galerius, “Edict of Toleration”; Constantine, “Edict of Milan”;
Constantine, “Laws for Christians”; “Council of Sardica: Canon V”; Theodoret, “Ambrose
humiliates Theodosius the Great”; “The Codex Theodosianus on Religion”.
Week 4 (January 29): The "Fall" of Rome
Read: Bennett, 19-27; Coursepack, 47-66: Tacitus, “Germania”; Salvian, “Romans and Barbarians”;
Sidonius, “Letters”; Cassiodorus, “Letters of Theodoric”; Gildas, “Concerning the Ruin of Britain”;
“Law of the Salian Franks”; “Ordeal Formulas”; Gregory of Tours, "On Clovis".
Friday, February 5: Primary Source Essay due 9 a.m. before lecture (SafeAssign and hard copy)
Week 5 (February 5): “Barbarian” Europe: Political and Religious Organization
Read: Bennett, 28-50
Library Workshop. Seminars meet in Bata Library (location TBA). Attendance will be taken.
Week 6 (February 12): “Barbarian” Europe: Economy, Society, and Culture
Review Bennett, 28-50; Read: Coursepack, 67-92: “Leo I and Attila”; Leo I, “The Petrine Doctrine”;
Valentian I, “Decree on Papal Power”; Gelasius I, “On Spiritual and Temporal Power”; Benedict of
Nursia, “The Rule of St. Benedict”; Gregory of Tours, “Life of St. Gall”; Dagobert, “Grant of an
Estate to the Monks of St. Denis”; “Confession of St. Patrick; Bede, "Conversion of England”;
“Tolls on the Rhone”; Gregory of Tours, “History of the Franks”.
Reading Break (February 15-19)
Week 7 (February 26): Byzantium: The Rome that did not Fall
Read Bennett, 51-65: Coursepack, 93-108: Procopius, “Justinian and Theodora Suppress the Nika
Revolt”; Procopius, “On the Great Church”; Procopius, “The Plague, 542”; Procopius, “Secret
History”; Evagrius, “Simeon Stylites”; “Farmer’s Law”.
Tuesday, March 1: Research Essay Proposal and Bibliography due 9 a.m. via email
Thursday, March 3: Final date for withdrawal from Winter-term courses
Week 8 (March 4): Islam and the Carolingian Renaissance
Read: Bennett, 65-79, 80-101; Coursepack, 109-129: The Qu’ran; Al-Baladhuri, “The Battle of the
Yarmuk and After”; “Pact of Umar”; Ibn Sina, “On Medicine”.
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Week 9 (March 11): Invasion and Disintegration,
Read: Bennett, 102-111; Coursepack, 130-150: Pope Gregory II, “Appeal to Charles Martel”;
“Annals of Lorsch: Pope makes Carolingians Kings”; Charlemagne, “Summons to Army” and
“Capitulary for Saxony” and "General Capitulary of the Missi" and “Letter to Baugaulf of Fulda";
“Capitulary De Villis”; “Asnapium: An Inventory of One of Charlemagne’s Estates”; Abbe Irminon,
“Polptyque de Villeneuve-St. Georges”; Einhard, “Life of Charlemagne”.
Week 10 (March 18): Europe’s “Recovery”
Read: Bennett, 111-130; Coursepack 151-164: "Annals of Xanten”; “Annals of St. Bertin”; Abbo,
“Wars of Count Odo with the Northmen”; “Viking and Hungarian Raiders”; “Anglo-Saxon
Chronicles”; “Chronicle of St. Denis”; “Helmskringla”; “Accounts of the Routes of Jewish
Merchants to the East”.
Tuesday, March 22: Research Essay due by 10 a.m. (SafeAssign and hard copy)
Week 11 (March 25): Good Friday. No lecture.
Week 12 (April. 1): Europe on the Eve of the First Millennium;
Bring proposed exam essay questions to lecture
Read: Coursepack, 165-173: Richer of Rheims, “Journey to Chartres”; “Peace of God”; “Agreement
between Count William V of Aquitaine and Hugh IV of Lusignan”; Liudprand, “Embassy to
Constantinople”.
SCHEDULED FINAL EXAMINATION
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