Medieval History II - LM (2017/2018)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to:
- Appreciation of the political, social and cultural history of the Carolingian period.
- Develop confidence in engaging with current scholarly debates about Carolingians and the Mediterranean world.
- Develop skills in analysing a variety of types of primary sources of the Carolingian period.

After attending the course and after reading the reference bibliography, the students will be able to:
- define and describe the specific characters of the European and Miditerranean history in the eighth and in the ninth century;
- recognize and analyze a variety of types of Carolingian primary sources;
- analyze and comment a historiographic text;
- analyze a historic map;
- write a short paper on the Carolingian period.

Prerequisites:
Basic knowledge of medieval history and latin.

Contents:
THE CAROLINGIANS AND THE MEDITERRANEAN WORLD.
This module deals with the history of the Carolingian dynasty, who ruled the last pan-European empire of the middle ages. Beginning with the conquests and cultural reforms of the emperor Charlemagne, the module traces the transformation of the empire under his descendants, the relationships between the Carolingians and the Maditerranean world (Byzantine Empire; Abbasid Caliphate). In this context, will be analyzed some examples (battle of Roncevaux; the case of the elephant Abul Abbas).

Teaching Methods:
Lectures and seminars.
The course will be articulated into two parts. A first part will consist of lectures. Students are expected to actively participate in a few specific sessions devoted to the discussion of assigned readings, either scholarly articles or documents. A second part will focus on the research papers. Students will be guided to the writing of a research paper.

Texts:
C. WICKHAM, The Inheritance of Rome. Illuminating the Dark Ages 400-1000, London, Penguin, 2009.
C. PICARD, La mer des califes, Paris, Editions du Seuil, 2015.
HISTORICAL SOURCES and OTHER TEXTS will be suggested during the course and are shown in the "didattica on-line".

ATTENDING STUDENTS ARE STRONGLY URGED TO OBTAIN THE REFERENCE TEXTS BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE LESSONS.

NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS MUST CONTACT THE PROFESSOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE THE EXAM TO AVOID ANY DOUBT IN THE PREPARATION.

More Information:
Attendance is highly recommended.
ATTENDING STUDENTS ARE STRONGLY URGED TO OBTAIN THE REFERENCE TEXTS BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE LESSONS.

NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS MUST CONTACT THE PROFESSOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE THE EXAM TO AVOID ANY DOUBT IN THE PREPARATION.

Written paper and oral exam.
50%: questions on the general part of the module; 50% oral presentation and discussion of the assigned paper.

STUDENT MODULE EVALUATION - 2017/2018