SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS
History 103
INTRODUCTION TO THE MEDIEVAL WORLD
" Medieval history is always slowly turning into romance "
Dr. Melinda Zook
Phone: 494-413
Email: mzook@purdue.edu
Office: Univ 327
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 or by appointment
Fall 2015
MWF 8:30 – 9:20
WTHR (Wetherill) 320
Course Description:
This course is a survey of medieval history in Europe from the fall of the Roman Empire to the
birth of the Renaissance. We explore political, religious, and social changes as well as economic,
technological, and cultural developments, seeking to understand the complexity of the medieval
past, including an awareness of the experiences of peasants, townsfolk, students, the religious,
knights and nobles. Topics include: the Birth of Christianity and decline of the Roman Empire;
Barbarian nations; the Feudal World and Crusades; Chivalry, Medieval Warfare, and the Arthurian
legend; Cities, Education and Daily Life; the Church, Heresy & Witchcraft; and The Black Death.
Graduate Teaching Assistants:
Required Texts:
Judith M. Bennett, Medieval Europe: A Short History 11th edition (McGraw Hill, 2011)
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Penguin Classics, 2006)
Constance Brittain Bouchard, “Strong of Body, Brave and Noble:” Chivalry and Society in
Medieval France (Cornell University Press, 1998)
Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron (Penguin Classics, 2003)
Requirements:
Students will write two short analytical essays (3 to 4 pages) which will be based on the assigned
readings. The essays will answer questions handed out in class and must be turned in on the day
they are due in class. Late papers will be penalized. No papers will be accepted via email.
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Students will also take three in-class essay exams which will be based on the lectures and the
textbook.
In-class quizzes will be administered approximately every third or fourth lecture and will be based
on the lectures and readings. Missed quizzes cannot be made up.
A variety of extra-credit assignments will be made available throughout the semester for those
students who are eager to improve their grade. Extra-credit assignment points can only be used to
improve your quiz grade.
Grading:
Final grades will be based on the papers, exams, quizzes, class attendance and participation. The
grade will be calculated as follows:
Quizzes & Participation
Essay 1
Essay 2
Midterm Exam 1
Midterm Exam 2
Final Exam
10%
15%
20%
15%
20%
20%
Rules of the Game:
Attendance to all class meetings is mandatory. Be on time: walking in late is rude. If you are
late, however, I would rather you came in than missed class. Simply do not make a habit of it. Turn
off all phones and electronic gadgets. Anyone caught texting will be escorted out of the class.
Understand that plagiarism or cheating of any kind will result in a failing grade for the entire course
and that the Dean of Students Office will be informed. The penalty for plagiarism at Purdue
University is suspension.
Students must use proper email etiquette when emailing myself or the TAs (an email should begin
with a salutation such as “Dear Professor Zook” and end with a proper closing, such as “Sincerely”
or “Yours,”).
SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND DISCUSSIONS:
August 24
Introduction to the Course
August 26-28
The Birth & Spread of Christianity
Read Chapter 1 in Medieval Europe, pages 4-19
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Aug. 31-Sept. 11
The Glory That Was Rome
Read Chapter 1, pages 5-27
September 2
Labor Day
No Class
September 9-11
Sailing to Byzantium
Read Chapter 3, pages 51-65
September 14-16
Monks & Missionaries
Read Chapter 2
September 18-21
Barbarian Nations
Read Chapter 1, pages 19-27; Chapter 4, pages 80-87; & Chapter
5, pages 114-116
September 23
First Exam
September 24
The World of Charlemagne
Read Chapter 4, pages 88-101
September 28-30
Islam & Islamic Civilization
Read Chapter 3, pages 65-79
October 2
The Feudal World
Read Chapter 5, pages 118-122
Begin reading Strong of Body, Brave and Noble
October 5
Feudalism in Action
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Chapter 10, pages 248-252
October 7-9
The Crusades
Read Chapter 9
October 14
Knighthood & Chivalry
Discussion: Strong of Body, Brave & Noble
Chapter 6, pages 162-166
First Paper Option due
October 16
The Agrarian Revolution
Read Chapter 6, pages 131-150
October 19
The Commercial Revolution & City Life
Read Chapter 6, pages 150-161
October 21
The Rise of the Universities
Read Chapter 7, pages 178-182
Read Chapter 11, pages 271-182
October 23
Library Day: No Class
October 26
World of the Peasantry
Read Chapter 6, pages 144-50
October 28
Second Exam
Oct. 30-Nov. 2
Conflict Between Church & State: In 3 Dramatic Acts
Read Chapter 7, pages 167-177;
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Read Chapter 10, pages 251-154
November 4
The Church at Its Height
Read Chapter 8, pages 184-187
Begin reading Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
November 6-9
Women in Medieval Europe: A Golden Age for Women?
Read Chapter 6, pages 156-60
Read Chapter 12, pages 316-21
November 11-13
Heresy, Witchcraft & Minority Groups
Read Chapter 8, pages 197-99
November 16
The Troubadours and King Arthur’s Court
Context & Discussion of Sir Gawain & the Green Knight
Second Paper Option due
November 18-20
Late Medieval Kingship in France & England
Read Chapter 10
Begin reading The Decameron
November 23
Henry V & Agincourt
Chapter 13, pages 322-332
November 30
Gloom & Doom and the Late Medieval World
Read Chapter 12
December 2-4
Late Medieval Piety
Read Chapter 12, pages 314-21
December 7
The Black Death
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Third Paper Option due
December 9
Rebirth: Renaissance in Europe
Read Chapter 14
December 11
Review for final
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