Pre-requisites: None
Textbooks:
St. Gregory of Tours, The History of the Franks, Books I, II, (Penguin)
St. Bede, The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, (Penguin)
The Life of Charlemagne, (Penguin)
Asser, Life of Alfred the Great, (Penguin)
H. Belloc, William the Conqueror, (TAN)
H. Belloc, “The Breaking of Islam”
H. Belloc, The Crusades: The World’s Debate, Chapters 1,2, (TAN)
H Belloc, Fulcher of Chartes, Selections
Jean De Joinville, The life of Saint Louis, (Penguin)
This course is the second in a two-year cycle that begins with the history of the Greco-Roman world. This second course provides students a solid grounding in the history of medieval Europe. The texts read are with few exceptions written during the period under study and so offer students a first hand look at the period. Students will not only learn about some of the principle events and figures of the middle ages, but will also learn to read critically, to locate the most pertinent information in their reading, to trace themes within one book and through many books, to appreciate the achievements of medieval Europe and to compare and contrast medieval society with our own, to understand the international relationships within Europe during this period, and to trace the rise of Islam and its relations with the European peoples. Texts to be read are selected from a variety of genres: history, biography, and essay. The reading is supplemented by lectures delivered by the instructor and audio-visual aids. Students will have the opportunity to sharpen their analytical and writing skills through essays on the books read. Oral skills are also improved through class discussion led by the teacher. Students will also be introduced to the geography of Europe and the Middle East, including North Africa.
