F10

HIST 3730:
Medieval Europe

Dr. Nancy Turner Office hours: M 1-3PM

Office: 152 Gardner Hall W 3-4PM
Office phone: 342-1789 TuTh 1-4PM
E-mail: turnern@uwplatt.edu F 1-2PM

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. Furthermore, as an upper-level history
course, one designed primarily for students who are history majors, the purpose of this course is to help create individuals who are
able to analyze and evaluate historical narratives and who understand the complexity of the factors and forces that cause communities
and nations to arise, decline, and change. Students in upper-level history courses also learn to do research, to assess arguments, and to
interpret economic, social, political, cultural, and technological 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:
Judith M. Bennett, Medieval Europe: A Short History
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 AND QUIZZES: 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.
Over the course of the semester there will also be 6 announced reading quizzes, containing 5 questions each, covering the
material contained in the handouts and in the three assigned books. These reading quizzes are designed to encourage students to
thoroughly read and digest the information provided in the books and handouts.

PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE: A portion of many class periods will be devoted to a discussion of the assigned readings
or issues raised by the instructor. Each student is expected to participate actively in the discussions and to ask and answer questions.
Obviously this requires each student to be present at every class period, to do the readings for each class period, and to pay attention in
class. 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.
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: Two papers are required. Each will take the form of a 4-6 page, typed and double-spaced paper. The first paper assignment
will require you to analyze the information you acquire in the handout titled “The Early Germans” and in the book Life of
Charlemagne. The second paper will require you to analyze the information you acquire in the book on Cecilia Penifader and the
handout “The Menagier’s Wife.” You will be given the specific question to analyze for each paper about 2-3 weeks before that paper
is due. No late papers will be accepted without the prior approval of the instructor.

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

Reading Quizzes (6 @ 10 points each) = 60pts
Paper #1 = 100pts
Paper #2 = 100pts
Midterm Exam = 100pts
Final Exam = 100pts
Total = 520pts
Schedule of Assignments:

September 3 Introduction

6 No Classes
8 Bennett, Chap. 1
10 OVER
 2

13 Bennett, Chap. 2
15 Rdg Quiz Handout—“The Early Germans”
17 Bennett, Chap. 3

20 Bennett, Chap. 4
22
24 Rdg Quiz Life of Charlemagne

27 Bennett, Chap. 5
29
October 1

4 Rdg Quiz Handout—“The Peasant Bodo”

6
8 Bennett, Chap. 6

11 I.D. Quiz #1
13 Bennett, Chap. 7
15 NO CLASSES

18 Bennett, Chap. 8
20 PAPER #1 DUE
22 Bennett, Chap. 9

26 Bennett, Chap. 10
27
29 MIDTERM EXAM

November 1
3 Bennett, Chap. 11
5

8 Handout—“The Crusades”
10
12

15 Chap. 12
17
19 I.D. Quiz #2

22
24 Rdg Quiz A Medieval Life: Cecilia Penifader
26 THANKSGIVING

29 Rdg Quiz Handout—“Menagier’s Wife”

December 1 Bennett, Chap. 13
3 Handout—“Black Death”

6 Rdg Quiz Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

8
10 Bennett, Chap. 14

13
15 PAPER #2 DUE

Final Exam—Monday, December 20 1:00-2:52PM