Description:

Medieval History is a detailed survey of the period from late Roman Antiquity to the early Renaissance. Primary and secondary texts and visual resources will be used to illuminate the period that saw first the decline into relative stagnation caused by barbarian onslaughts, and then gradual reemergence of a powerful civilization that revitalized itself by renewing the insights of ancient times. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Describe the transformations of the Roman Empire in Late Antiquity.
2. Examine the survival of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire.
3. Describe the economic, political, cultural and religious challenges Western Europe faced in the age of post-imperial kingdoms.
4. Examine the agrarian economy and feudal society of medieval Europe, and the beginnings of the economic renewal after the year 1000.
5. Characterize medieval kingship in Germany, France and England.
6. Trace and evaluate the revival of the Roman Catholic Church between 1000 and 1300.
7. Describe the expansion of Christianity in northern and eastern Europe, its cultural consequences and the conflicts it generated, as well as the major developments in the Byzantine Empire.
8. Discuss the revival of European trade and the subsequent growth of towns and cities and medieval intellectual life.
9. Show how the demographic, economic, political and religious crises of the 14th century affected Europe.
10. Explain the new ideas that arose in late medieval Europe and that led to the Renaissance.
11. Explore the contemporary relevance of medieval topics, including the creation of medieval businesses, Christian religious forms and practices, and the Crusades as viewed by modern conservative Islamists.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I.  Transformations of the Roman Empire in Late Antiquity
   A. Outline the reforms of Diocletian and Constantine.
   B. Evaluate the altered nature of Christianity’s relation to the Roman
state and its consequences for the church and non-Christians.
   C. Describe the patterns of barbarian interaction with Rome and explain
how their incursions into Roman territories weakened the Western empire.
   D. Examine the main intellectual trends and figures in the period of
Late Antiquity.
   E. Describe the transformation of the Mediterranean economy during this
period.

II. Survival of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire
   A. Describe the military threats faced by the Byzantines from the
barbarians and the rise of Islam.
   B. Trace developments in Roman law, art and history in early
Byzantium.
   C. Compare these developments with those in Ostrogothic and Lombard
Italy.

III. Economic, Political, Cultural and Religious Challenges in Western
Europe 
   A. Show how the Roman Catholic Church survived the barbarian onslaughts
and utilized monasticism to maintain civilization and convert barbarian
kings.
   B. Examine the history, government, culture and institutions of the
kingdom of the Franks.
   C. Describe the Islamic conquest of Spain and resulting civilization.
   D. Discuss the Slav and Magyar migrations into eastern Europe, the
Norse attacks and settlements in western Europe, and the challenges these
presented to Europe.
   E. Describe the Iconoclast Controversy in Eastern Christianity and the
Frankish-Papal Alliance in Western Christianity.
   F. Discuss the Carolingian Empire and “Renaissance,” and evaluate their
significance.

IV. Agrarian Economy and Feudal Society of Medieval Europe
   A. Describe medieval agriculture and the manorial system.
   B. Describe how the feudal bonds evolved from Roman times and discuss
controversies about the nature and extent of feudalism.
   C. Show how agricultural production increased after 1000 and led to
geographic expansion of settlements in Europe.
   D. Characterize the nature and quality of medieval rural life.

V. Medieval Kingship in Germany, France and England
   A. Describe the crumbling of the Carolingian Empire.
   B. Show how the Ottonian kings of Germany strengthened their grasp on
central Europe and Italy, and advocated a sacred theory of kingship.
   C. Discuss Saxon England and its government, and the Norman conquest
and its consequences.
   D. Compare the German and English patterns of government with each
other and with that of the Capetian monarchs of France.

VI. Revival of the Roman Catholic Church
   A. Characterize the medieval theology of redemption
   B. Chart the diocesan and parochial structures of the Church and the
recruitments of clergy, and evaluate their effectiveness.
   C. Discuss the economic and religious bases of medieval monasteries.
   D. Show how the Clunaic and Cistercian monastic reforms led to the
revitalization of the Roman Catholic Church.
   E. Discuss how Gregory VII and his successors reformed the medieval
church, helped to revive Roman law, created an effective bureaucracy and
challenged the sacral power of monarchs.
   F. Describe the medieval cycle of religious life, including the roles
of saints, mystics and pilgrimages.
   G. Describe the distinctive characteristics of Romanesque art and
architecture and compare it to the new Gothic style of the 12th century.

VII. Expansion of Christianity in Northern and Eastern Europe 
   A. Discuss the expansion of Christianity into northern, eastern and
southeastern Europe.
   B. Describe medieval Russia and show how Orthodox Christianity
facilitated the beginnings of a vibrant Russian civilization.
   C. Interpret the launching of the Crusades as a renewal of religious
zeal and an outlet for excess European population, and evaluate their
consequences for Byzantium, Islam and Europe.
   D. Trace the Christian reconquest of Spain.

VIII. Revival of European Trade, Growth of Towns and Cities, and Medieval
Intellectual Life
   A. Trace Italian trade contacts through the Mediterranean, noting the
significance of Venice, Genoa and Pisa, and describe the development of
double-entry bookkeeping from Arab sources, the forms of contract and
payment, as well as the problems of medieval commerce.
   B. Discuss the governance and freedoms of city life, and compare civic
government in the Italian city-states with that in northern European
cities.
   C. Trace the rise and development of the mendicant orders, and their
roles in shaping medieval religious developments and teaching.
   D. Show how the creation of cathedrals, cathedral schools and
universities strengthened civic culture.
   E. Show how the European discovery of Aristotle’s works reshaped
medieval philosophy.

IX. Demographic, Economic, Political and Religious Crises of the 14th
Century 
   A. Discuss the demographic crises of the early 14th century and trace
its effects on population numbers and late medieval culture.
   B. List the various popular rebellions that emerged in the wake of
falling population numbers and cite their successes and failures.
   C. Explain major developments in the French, English and Hohenstaufen
monarchies and the consequent warfare.
   D. Show how challenges to papal authority by monarchs and reformers led
to a crisis of confidence in the Roman Catholic Church during the 14th and
15th centuries.
   E. Describe the final centuries of the Byzantine Empire.

X. New Ideas in Late Medieval Europe
   A. Discuss the rise of vernacular literature about courtly love and
chivalry, and of narrative prose as exemplified by Boccaccio and Chaucer.
   B. Describe Greek influence on late medieval Italian painting and
sculpture, and the earliest rediscoveries of Classical styles in Italy and
northern Europe.
   C. Show how competition among the city-states of northern Italy
financed the revival of learning, literary and civic humanism, and early
Renaissance art.
   D. Trace the origins and consequences of gunpowder and printing in
Europe.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Examinations          50% of grade
Projects/Assignments  50% of grade
  Total:             100%

Grade Criteria:
  A = 90 - 100%   
  B = 80 -  89%  
  C = 70 -  79%  
  D = 60 -  69%  
  F =  0 -  59%

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.