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Institutions of the Medieval West

Course Description

Topical studies of the social structures that shaped medieval European life and thought, and how those structures changed. The focal point changes yearly.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional research and/or paper(s) are normally required for graduate level coursework.

Athena Title

Institutions of Medieval West

Prerequisite

One course in HIST or ENGL 1101 or ENGL 1101E or ENGL 1101S or ENGL 1102 or ENGL 1102E or ENGL 1102S or POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S

Semester Course Offered

Offered every year.

Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

Student Learning Outcomes

  • By the end of this course, students will be able to arrive at conclusions about the history of medieval monasticism in Europe by gathering and weighing evidence, logical argument, and listening to counter argument.
  • By the end of this course, students will be able to write stylistically appropriate papers and essays. Students will be able to analyze ideas and evidence, organize their thoughts, and revise and edit their finished essays.
  • By the end of this course, students will be able to identify how the history of institutions in the medieval West has shaped social and cultural identities and attitudes toward religion, poverty, and gender, encouraging them to understand diverse worldviews and experiences.
  • By the end of this course, students will be able to apply appropriate methodological approaches to their analysis of primary sources and to organize their evidence to show historical continuities and discontinuities.
  • By the end of this course, students will be able to generate their own research question or topic, locate suitable primary and secondary sources, and synthesize their ideas in novel ways.
  • By the end of this course, students will be able to initiate, manage, complete, and evaluate their independent research projects in stages and to give and receive constructive feedback through the peer review process.

Topical Outline

  • Introduction
  • The Hermits
  • Early Cenobitism
  • Transmission to the West / The Latin Doctors
  • Cassian of Marseilles
  • Benedict of Nursia
  • Irish Monasticism / Anglo-Saxon Monasticism
  • Carolingian Monasticism
  • Life in a Monastic Community
  • The New Hermits
  • Cistercians
  • The New vs. the Old
  • Military Orders
  • Monastic Women
  • The Mendicants
  • Late Medieval Monasticism
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