HIS 121 European History I Full Curriculum Program 2017/2018 Year - Prague

This course is an interdisciplinary survey of the development of Europe from the Late Roman Empire to the end of the Middle Ages. In this course, we will look at the political, religious, economic, and cultural trends that together formed the medieval world, and consideration will be given to how many of these developments subsequently defined Europe to the present day. Lectures will be based mainly on primary source texts in English translation, as well as examples from art, architecture, music and literature. These primary textual and visual sources along with secondary readings from important medievalists will be the basis for short written exercises and class discussions. There will also be an excursion to the National Gallery collection of Medieval Art later in the semester.

Course Objectives

*To give students an introduction to the main developments and events which mark the transition from the Ancient world to the beginnings of the Middle Ages and the subsequent development toward a unified concept of 'Europe'; an understanding of the religious, economic and political institutions which defined medieval society; and an insight into the distinct mentality of the medieval worldview.

*To acquaint students directly with various types of primary sources from the Middle Ages in order to gain an understanding of the particular methodological questions and problems that arise when examining and interpreting textual and material evidence from this era.