The medieval emperor Charlemagne (768-814) was known by contemporaries as the "Father of Europe," and in recent years he has become the symbol of the European Union. Thus for twelve hundred years people have believed that Charlemagne and his royal dynasty-the Carolingians-played a decisive role in the shaping of the western world. This course seeks to understand why that should be the case. We will explore how Charlemagne and his family created the first medieval empire out of the diverse peoples and territories of continental Europe: not only through warfare and military might, but also through Christianity and the Church, educational and cultural reforms, government and law, art and architecture, and a fundamental reorganization of the economy and society. Studying these aspects of the Carolingian age will enable us to see the enduring contributions of the Carolingians to the formation of Europe as well as the shortcomings and families of their multi-ethnic empire. Format: seminar. Evaluation will be based on a map quiz, several papers, and class participation. No prerequisites. Expected enrollment: 10-20. Groups B and D