Europe in the High and Late Middle Ages

The course will offer selected in-depth study topics from European Central and Late Medieval History, roughly covering the period 1000-1500 CE. It is a long tradition considering the period as fundamental for the creation of modern Europe. Topics will cover different periods, countries, and social fields, discussed from different perspectives.

Central keywords for topics offered are: Three civilizations: cultural contacts, extension, expansion, crusades, and the Roman heritage. Political-institutional history: political organization on central and local level, war . Political culture and communication: including music and use of symbols, mentalities, identities and loyalties. Church and religion: growth, division, reform, liturgy and music, the cult of saints. Economy and demography: growth, crisis, recovery, demographic trends, the agrarian society, trade and urbanization. Gender and women's history: e.g. women's economical and political agency. The course will also introduce theoretical and methodical questions connected to the topics given.

The taught topic in this course will vary from term to term depending on available staff. The taught topic will be designed according to the individual lecturer`s research interests. Information on topic for the academic year is found under studies on the department webpage . Information on topic and lecturer for the academic year is found under studies on the webpage for the department.

A candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome according to the course curriculum, defined as knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

The candidate

• is familiar with the important stages of development for the actual topics
• know different historiographic and methodical trends in the field

Skills

The candidate

• is able to apply his knowledge of this period to present and analyze questions connected to the topics given in the course
• is able to discuss the position of medieval studies' in historical research
• is able to carry through a source analysis that complies with the requirements of academic writing

Lectures and/or seminars and one mandatory written paper. The course is taught in Norwegian.