Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - HIST 220 D100

Late Medieval and Renaissance Europe (3)

Class Number: 3491

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the world of late Medieval and Renaissance Europe (c.1200-c.1500). Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course offers an introduction to the world of late medieval and Renaissance Europe (c.1200 – c.1500), a defining period in the history of the continent. This was the age of Magna Carta, Michelangelo, the Black Death, the Crusades, Joan of Arc, the Inquisition, the birth of the university and the printing press, and the “rebirth” of Greek and Roman antiquity. We will study all of these, and much more, while exploring five principal themes: the changing shape of medieval spirituality; the clash and integration of Christian, Jewish and Muslim cultures; the rise of new forms of secular government and religious authority; the interconnected crises of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries; and the intellectual and artistic cultures of the medieval court and the Italian Renaissance. To help us forge our understanding of these issues, we will work closely with a wide range of primary sources — from eyewitness accounts of the plague to a “how to” manual for medieval wives, from the writings of St. Francis to courtly love poetry. Our examination of these written sources will be complemented regularly by a study of material culture, including works of art and architecture, and by an exploration of medieval and Renaissance music.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

In addition to teaching the fundamental developments of this historical era, HIST 220 aims to train students in the close and rigorous analysis of primary sources – a skill critical to success both inside and outside the classroom. Students will deepen their understanding of analysis by learning to craft good historical questions; by writing interpretations of literary texts, historical documents, and artifacts; and by exploring the historical significance of these sources in the context of tutorial discussions. HIST 220 also offers students explicit instruction in class participation and especially in the context of remote learning. 

Grading

  • Tutorial Attendance + Participation 25%
  • Midterm exam 25%
  • Short analyses of documents, texts, and artifacts 30%
  • Final project/exam 20%

NOTES:

HIST 220 and Remote Learning

Please note that almost all teaching at SFU in Fall 2020 will be conducted through remote methods. Enrollment in this course acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

HIST 220 blends asynchronous and synchronous learning:

  • Lectures will be delivered asynchronously (they will be recorded, and you will watch/listen to them on your own time).
  • Tutorials will be synchronous (real-time discussions and interactive writing activities).
  • The Friday morning lecture block (10:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.) will be dedicated to a range of course activities. It will be used, as needed, for timed tests, course-related workshops and collaborative study sessions; and it will also be used for regular weekly office hours. Registered students are expected to be available in this time slot during the semester.

Students with questions about remote learning in HIST 220 are welcome to contact the instructor (eobrien@sfu.ca) before the semester begins.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

  • Barbara H. Rosenwein, A Short History of the Middle Ages, Volume II: From c. 900 to c. 1500, Fifth edition (University of Toronto Press, 2018) eText ISBN: 9781442636316

This book will be available for e-book purchase through the SFU bookstore. All tutorial readings will be available via Canvas.

 


Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).