SAMPLE. Europe in the Making: The Early Medieval West (A.D )

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1 1 HIST 330 University of Maryland Dr. Bianchini Office hours: By appointment via or Skype Europe in the Making: The Early Medieval West (A.D ) The Middle Ages began with the decline of the Roman Empire. During the subsequent centuries, European thinkers and rulers sought to restore, or to continue, the imperial tradition. But the concept and practice of empire both changed as time passed. In this course, we will explore the ways in which new challenges and new priorities shaped early medieval people s attempts to recover Roman imperial glory, and consider the innovations they introduced as a result. REQUIRED TEXTS Judith M. Bennett and C. Warren Hollister, Medieval Europe: A Short History, 11 th ed. (New York, 2011) ISBN Patrick J. Geary, ed., Readings in Medieval History, 4 rd ed. (Peterborough, ON, 2010) ISBN Additional readings can be found online at the Fordham University Internet Medieval Sourcebook ( or on the course ELMS site (elms.umd.edu). COURSE ASSIGNMENTS 1. One reading response (1-2 paragraphs) for each of the assigned primary-source readings, to be posted on the class discussion board. 2. Active, informed participation in online discussions. 3. Midterm exam. 4. One paper (5-6 pages): a thoughtful, original comparative analysis of two medieval primary sources, due August Final exam. COURSE POLICIES

2 2 Structure This course is broken up into six modules, each lasting one week. Each module includes primary- and secondary-source readings, along with five to eight short (20-30 minute) lectures. Each lecture is accompanied by a handout that outlines the lecture and lists key terms and key dates (if any). The key terms and dates are the ones you will be responsible for on the exams. These handouts and your lecture notes will be your best study guide for the exams. This is an asynchronous course, meaning that you are not required to be present (physically or online) at any specific times. You may progress through the material at your own speed. However, there are a few things to keep in mind: 1. I recommend pacing your progress through the course according to the weekly schedule outlined in the modules. This will help keep you from becoming overwhelmed with work close to the exam and paper deadlines. Again, you aren t required to follow that schedule--you can work ahead or behind. However, the course is constructed so that you must view the lectures and readings for each module before you can move on to the next module. This is important because each lecture will build on previous concepts. You must also complete the first three modules before you can take the midterm, and the last three modules before you can take the final. 2. Although you can view the lectures and do the readings at your own pace, your reading responses are due at the end of the week in which they were assigned. For example, The Conversion of Constantine is assigned in Week 1; you should therefore post your initial response to this text to the appropriate discussion forum before 11:59 pm on Friday, July 18. Participation comments can be made throughout the week and the following weekend. So in this example, you could participate in the discussion about The Conversion of Constantine at any time during the week and throughout the weekend, until 11:59 pm on Sunday, July The exams and paper assignments are also due at specific times. You must take the midterm and final on the days when they are scheduled, so plan your progress accordingly! Communication You can contact me at any time via [email protected]. I usually respond to s within 48 hours. If you have any questions about the content of the course, you can either me or post your question in the discussion forum created for that week's content. I encourage you to post questions whenever possible, since other students are probably wondering the same things you are. Many of the concepts in this course are unfamiliar in the modern world, and I try not to assume any background knowledge on your part. If something isn t clear, ask! If you'd prefer to talk with me in person, we can set up a meeting via Skype.

3 3 Reading Assignments Each course module includes assigned reading in primary (medieval) and secondary (modern) sources. You should do the reading assigned for a module at around the same time that you view the lectures for that module, since the lectures will provide context for the reading. Primary sources will be found a) in the Geary reader, b) as external links on the modules page, or c) as linked PDFs that you can view and download from the modules page. Secondary-source reading will almost always be found in the Bennett textbook; in one case, however, the secondary reading is available as a PDF from the modules page. The primary sources will be the subjects of your reading responses. Written Assignments Reading responses. For each primary source, you are required to post at least one response on the appropriate discussion forum. The response (1-2 paragraphs) can be either an answer to one of the discussion questions I will provide on the forum, or your own comment on the reading. Your comments should be thoughtful but informal. For example, you might discuss a question you had about the reading; something about the reading that surprised or intrigued you; or your observations about the author s intent and audience. Reading responses are worth 10 points each and are graded on the basis of their timely completion, their analytical content (they should be more than just a summary of the text), and the familiarity they display with the assigned texts. See the grading rubric attached to each assignment. You will receive 0 points if you don't submit a response or if your response shows no familiarity at all with the primary source. Class discussions. For each primary source, I will post a short list of discussion questions on the appropriate discussion forum. Use these or your classmates reading responses as a jumping-off point for online conversation. I will also participate in discussions, and will be available to answer questions about the reading. Your participation grade will be based on the number and quality of your contributions to the discussion board. For each primary source: Three or more thoughtful comments or questions to the discussion, in which references to the primary source show a mastery of the subject and a willingness to engage other learners (not including your original reading response, which is graded separately), will earn 10 points (A). Two thoughtful comments or questions, in which references to the primary source show knowledge of the subject and a willingness to engage other learners, will earn 8.5 points (B). One thoughtful comment or question, in which references to the primary source show familiarity with the subject and a willingness to engage other learners, will earn 7.5 points (C).

4 4 Comments or questions that do not reference the primary source, show little understanding of the subject, and/or fail to make a substantive contribution or engage other learners will earn 6.5 points (D). If your comments or replies show no familiarity with or understanding of the topics and texts we're discussing, OR if you don't post any comments or replies, you'll earn 0 points. Each discussion assignment includes this information in a grading rubric. Paper. A paper of 5-6 pages is due by 11:59 pm on August 16. The paper can be uploaded to ELMS as a Word document (.doc or.docx). Please plan ahead for the inevitable computer malfunctions. Topic. The paper will be a comparative analysis of two of the primary-source texts we ve read for class. I will provide you with a list of possible comparisons; you may either choose a topic from the list or develop your own in consultation with me. The paper topics are available here. Content. Your paper must use evidence from your primary texts, along with background information from class lectures, discussions, and the textbook, to support and develop a single central argument (thesis). The thesis and its supporting arguments must also be historical that is, they must account for historical factors that influence the text. Thesis. A draft of your thesis statement is due to me as a file upload on ELMS by 11:59 pm on August 5. I will comment on and return the draft to you so that you can make any necessary changes before completing the paper. This assignment is worth ten points, and it will count toward your overall paper grade. Form. Mechanics. Your paper must be typed and double-spaced, with margins no bigger than 1 and in a standard 12-point font such as Times or Times New Roman. Courier is not an acceptable alternative. Citations. All sources used in your paper must be correctly cited, using Chicago footnote style. You are expected to know and follow proper citation methods. A quick guide to Chicago style is available here. Bibliography. All papers must include a bibliography page, which is not counted toward the assigned page total. Secondary sources for this paper may not include any online resources besides those found via the University Libraries Research Port. Proofreading. Your paper must be written in correct formal English. Proofread carefully! Spell check is a good tool, but it won t catch many common mistakes. Grammar check is worthless. Extensive grammatical errors, misspellings, etc. will lower your grade. Extensions. No extensions will be given. Exceptions may be granted only in cases of medical or family crisis, and only after speaking to me. Papers will lose one grade for each day that they are late.

5 5 Exams. The midterm and final exams will be available on ELMS only on the days specified in the syllabus. You may choose when to take the exam during that day, but keep in mind that your time will be limited. For the midterm, you will have 90 minutes to complete the exam from the time you begin to take it. For the final, you will have two hours to complete the exam from the time you begin to take it. Once you have begun the exam, you will not be able to pause the timer, so make sure to take the exam in a place where you won t be interrupted. The exam is open-book, meaning that you can use your class notes, the textbooks, and any information available on the course ELMS site as you take the exam. However, you are NOT allowed to use other online sources or to collaborate with other people. Violations of this policy will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. In order to take the exams, you must have completed ALL preceding modules of the course. Academic Integrity The University of Maryland has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the definition and consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. The University of Maryland is one of a small number of universities with a studentadministered Honor Code and an Honor Pledge. The code prohibits students from cheating on exams, plagiarizing papers, submitting the same paper for credit in two courses without authorization, buying papers, facilitating academic dishonesty, submitting fraudulent documents, and forging signatures. Plagiarism policy: all quotations taken from other authors, including from the Internet, must be indicated by quotation marks and cited. Paraphrasing must be cited as well. The following University of Maryland Honor Pledge, approved by the University Senate, should be handwritten and signed on the front page of all papers, projects, or other academic assignments submitted for evaluation in this course: "I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this assignment/examination." Any evidence of academic dishonesty, intentional or not, will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not violate the Code of Academic Integrity. Academic Accommodations If you have a documented disability, you should contact Disability Support Services, 0126 Shoemaker Hall. Each semester students with documented disabilities should apply to DSS for accommodation request forms, which you can provide to your professors as proof of your eligibility for accommodations. The rules for eligibility and the types of accommodations a student may request can be reviewed on the DSS web site.

6 6 Academic Assistance If you are experiencing difficulties in keeping up with the academic demands of this course, contact the Learning Assistance Service, 2202 Shoemaker Building, Their educational counselors can help with time management, reading, notetaking, and exam preparation skills. All of their services are free to UMD students. Religious Observances The University System of Maryland policy provides that students should not be penalized because of observances of their religious beliefs. Students shall be given an opportunity, whenever feasible, to make up within a reasonable time any academic assignment that is missed due to individual participation in religious observances. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor of any intended absences for religious observances in advance. Notice should be provided as soon as possible but no later than the end of the schedule adjustment period. Remember that prior notification is especially important in connection with final exams, since failure to reschedule a final exam before the conclusion of the final examination period may result in loss of credits during the semester. Changes to the Syllabus This syllabus may be subject to change. Students will be notified in advance of important changes that could affect grading, assignments, etc. Copyright Protection for Class Materials Course materials that exist in a tangible medium, such as written or recorded lectures, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, assignment instructions, and tests, are copyrightprotected. Students may not copy or distribute such materials in any form except for personal use and with the instructor s permission. Violation of copyright protection is a serious matter subject to both legal penalties and sanction by the Office of Student Conduct. Grading This course follows University policy regarding the evaluation of student work. For a description of grades and the grading scale, see the undergraduate catalogue. The grade distribution is as follows: Reading responses 15% Participation 20% Midterm 20% Final paper 20% Final exam 25%

7 7 COURSE SCHEDULE I. The World of Late Antiquity (July 14 20) Lectures 1. Introduction: The Early Middle Ages 2. The Roman Empire 3. The Third-Century Crisis 4. The Rise of Christianity 5. Constantine the Great 6. The Fourth-Century Revival 7. Barbarians in the West Primary-source readings for discussion 1. Perpetua, The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicitas (Geary, 58-64) 2. Eusebius, The Conversion of Constantine Secondary-source readings Bennett, 4-27 Assignments First reading assignment (confirmation of having read the syllabus), due at 11:59 pm July 16. Reading responses for Perpetua and Eusebius, due at 11:59 pm July 18. Discussions on Perpetua and Eusebius, due at 11:59 pm July 20.

8 8 II. The Successor Kingdoms (July 21 27) Lectures 1. The Byzantine Empire 2. Monks, Hermits, and Stylites 3. The Innovations of Gregory the Great 4. Worlds Collide 5. The Merovingians Primary-source readings for discussion 1. Procopius, The Secret History, prologue and chs. 6, 8-11, 13-15, 18-21, Benedict of Nursia, Rule of Saint Benedict (Geary, ) 3. Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks (Geary, ) 4. Life of Saint Balthild (Geary, ) Secondary-source readings Bennett, Assignments Reading responses for Procopius, Benedict, Gregory, and Balthild, due at 11:59 pm July 25. Discussions on Procopius, Benedict, Gregory, and Balthild, due at 11:59 pm July 27.

9 9 III. The Rise of Islam (July 28 August 3) Lectures 1. The Sources of Economic Disruption 2. The Rise of Islam 3. The Umayyad Decline 4. Al-Andalus 5. The Infancy of Christian Iberia 6. The Tombs at Sutton Hoo Primary-source readings for discussion 1. The Sunnah (excerpts) 2. Ibn Abd al-hakam, Narrative of the Conquest of al-andalus (ELMS) 3. Chronicle of Alfonso III (ELMS) 4. Paul Alvarus, Eulogius and the Martyrs of Córdoba (ELMS) Secondary-source readings Bennett, Assignments Reading responses for the Sunnah, Ibn Abd al-hakam, Alfonso III, and Alvarus, due at 11:59 pm August 1. Discussions on the Sunnah, Ibn Abd al-hakam, Alfonso III, and Alvarus, due at 11:59 pm August 3. MIDTERM EXAM, August 1

10 10 IV. Carolingian Europe (August 4 10) Lectures 1. Rise of the Carolingians 2. The Carolingian Achievement 3. The Fury of the Northmen 4. Lords and Lordship Primary-source readings for discussion 1. Einhard, Life of Charlemagne (Geary, ) 2. Three Sources on the Ravages of the Northmen in Frankland 3. Abbo of Fleury, The Martyrdom of Saint Edmund Secondary-source readings Bennett, , Assignments Paper thesis due by 11:59 pm August 5. Reading responses for Einhard, Three Sources, and Abbo of Fleury, due at 11:59 pm August 8. Discussions on Einhard, Three Sources, and Abbo of Fleury, due at 11:59 pm August 10.

11 11 V. Charlemagne s Heirs (August 11 17) Lectures 1. A New Umayyad Caliphate 2. Expansion and Disunity in Christian Iberia 3. Britain and Rome 4. Alfred and Canute 5. Hugh Capet and the Normans Primary-source reading for discussion 1. Asser, Life of King Alfred (Geary, ) Secondary-source reading 1. Bennett, Richard Fletcher, The Early Middle Ages, , (ELMS) Assignments Paper due by 11:59 pm August 16. Reading response for Asser, due at 11:59 pm August 15. Discussion on Asser, due at 11:59 pm August 17.

12 12 VI. The World of the Tenth Century (August 18 22) Lectures 1. Byzantine Revival 2. The Ottonians 3. Lordship Again 4. The New Millennium 5. The Idea of Europe Primary-source readings for discussion 1. Liudprand of Cremona, Embassy to Constantinople 2. Cluniac charters: Foundation charter of the order (Geary, ) Secondary-source readings Bennett, pp , Assignments Reading responses for Liudprand and Cluniac charters, due at 11:59 pm August 22. Discussions on Liudprand and Cluniac charters, due at 11:59 pm August 22. FINAL EXAM, August 22