HIST 225(F) The Middle Ages (Same as Religion 216)
This course explores the development of European and Mediterranean
civilizations during the thousand-year period known as the "Middle Ages." At
the beginning of this period the Romans ruled a massive empire that stretched
from Britain to north Africa and from Spain to Iraq. A millennium later, this
classical and pagan world had broken apart into three successor civilizations:
medieval Europe, the Byzantine empire, and the Islamic world. This course
investigates how this momentous transformation occurred. We will examine
such topics as relations between Romans and "barbarians," the spread of
Christianity and Islam, the development of kingdoms and empires, the Vikings
and crusades, saints and religious reformers, art and architecture, cities and trade,
the persecution of Jews and heretics, as well as the Black Death and Italian
Renaissance.
Format: seminar/lecture and audio-visual presentations. Evaluation will be
based on several papers, an exam and class participation.
No prerequisites. Expected enrollment: 10-30.
Groups B and D