Spr08

HIST 3730:
Medieval Europe

Dr. Nancy Turner Office hours: MTWTh 12-1; 2-3PM

Office: 332 Warner Hall Th 1-3PM
Office phone: 342-1789 F 2-3PM
E-mail: turnern@uwplatt.edu and by appt.

The purpose of historical perspective courses is to challenge students to understand and assess the human past in
order to form a clearer perception of the present and to deal more effectively with current public issues. This course
will enable students to: demonstrate knowledge of the past; explore the multitude of circumstances and events that
have helped to shape historical judgments, actions, and visions; and interpret the sources of historical change in a
variety of contexts

TEXTS: There are four books which will be used for the course, all of which can be acquired at the Textbook
Center in Doudna Hall. The books are:
Clifford R. Backman, The Worlds of Medieval Europe.
Einhard, The Life of Charlemagne.
Judith M. Bennett, A Medieval Life: Cecilia Penifader of Brigstock.
Keith Harrison, trans., Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

EXAMS: There will be two exams, one which will take place at approximately the middle of the term, and one that
will take place during finals week. Both will be essay exams that will cover the material presented in lectures as
well as in the textbook. There will also be two announced identification quizzes.
Any student who has a documented disability which interferes with his/her test-taking, reading, or note-
taking skills should contact the professor as soon as possible to discuss academic accommodations.

PAPERS: One paper is required. It will take the form of a 5-7 page, typed and double-spaced paper. It will not be
a research paper. Instead, the paper assignment requires you to analyze the information you acquire in the books
and handouts we read in the course of the semester. You will be given a list of specific topics 2-3 weeks before the
paper is due, and you will be able to choose which of these specific topics you would like to write on. No late
papers will be accepted without the prior approval of the instructor.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance will not be officially taken, but attendance at all scheduled class periods is
necessary and expected. If a student must miss a class, s/he is responsible for finding out what material was covered
and what assignments or handouts were distributed during the missed class period.

GRADING: I.D. Quizzes (2 @ 30 points each) = 60pts

Paper = 100pts
Midterm Exam = 100pts
Final Exam = 100pts
Total = 360pts

Schedule of Assignments:

January 23 Introduction
25 Backman, Introduction & chap. 1

28 Backman, chap. 2
30 Backman, chap. 3
February 1 Backman, chap. 4
 2

4 Backman, chap. 5; Handout—“The Early Germans”

6 Backman, chap. 6
8

11 Backman, chap. 7
13 Life of Charlemagne
15 Backman, chap. 8

February 18 Handout—“The Peasant Bodo”

20 Backman, chap. 9
22 Backman, chap. 10

25 I.D. Quiz #1
27 Backman, chap. 11
29

March 3 Backman, chap. 12

5
7 Backman, chap. 13

10
12
14 MIDTERM EXAM

March 17-21 Spring Break

24 NO CLASS
26 Backman, chap. 14
28 Backman, chap. 15

31 Backman, chap. 16
April 2 Handout—“The Crusades”
4

7 Handout--"Medieval Universities”
9
11 I.D. Quiz #2

14
14
18 Backman, chap. 18

21 Handout—Romance of the Rose or Guillaume de Dole

23 Backman, chap. 17
25 Handout—“The Black Death”

28 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

30 Backman, chap. 19
May 2

5 Backman, chap. 20
7
9 PAPER DUE

Final Exam—Wednesday, May 14 1:00-2:52PM