Medieval History (20013)
Degree/study: Degree in Humanities
Year: 2nd
Term:1st
Number of ECTS credits: 4 credits
Hours of studi dedication: hours
Teaching language or languages: Catalan
Teaching Staff: Victor FARÍAS/Jaume VILAGINÉS
1. Presentation of the subject
This subject aims to be an introduction to the part of the history of civilisation which we normally refer to as "medieval". During the term, we will try to interpret the Middle Ages without prejudices and present the most characteristic features of what we call medieval civilization. This introduction will be achieved through the use of both direct testimonies and studies elaborated by historians.
The subject aims to teach that the Middle Ages do not only serve as a mere image of a past that still lives somehow within everyone of us, but also as a past which can show us how to face our own present and future. Learning facts about the historical period of the Middle Ages can teach us that things could have been different and that there are multiple ways of dealing with situations. Learning about how people lived in "another world" can teach us to live in "our world", a crucial knowledge in studies of Humanities.
Thus, Middle Ages should not be considered a "dead" subject which students have to learn through obligatory readings and manuals. Therefore, professors should not think about their task as merely passing on theoretical knowledge from manuals, nor should students consider that they are merely receivers of such knowledge. They are not expected to simply memorize answers for the exam. Even though we may not always realise it, it is important to note that students are intelligent and have their own relevant doubts and concerns.
We want to insist on the fact that the study of the Middle Ages should be understood as a chance to use the experience of the past and apply it to our current problems and concerns. It is important to use history, but to use it wisely. Our aim is to use what we explain about history to stimulate students to think about the present, about our own experiences. To put it briefly, in this course it will be more important to discuss different points of view than to memorize data.
2. Competences to be attained
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General competences |
Specific competences
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1. Analysis and synthesis skills. |
1. Ability to use information from both direct testimonies and studies elaborated by historians. |
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2. Analytical mind. |
2. Analytical attitude towards past and present events. |
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3. Oral and written communication skills. |
3. Capacity to discuss about the main social, economic and political processes, as well as about the fundamental cultural guidelines in the Middle Ages. |
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4. Teamwork skills.
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4. Capacity to identify the main social processes and cultural events in the Middle Ages. |
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5. Sensitivity towards social and gender issues. |
5. Capacity to identify practices of gender differentiation in the Middle Ages. |
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6. Acknowledgement of the social and cultural diversity among human beings in today's society and in the past. |
6. 5. Capacity to identify practices of differentiation in the Middle Ages. |
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7. Sensitivity towards environmental issues. |
7. 5. Capacity to identify the relations that humans established with nature in the Middle Ages. |
3. Contents
Block 1: El jardí de dama Alegría (the garden of lady Joy)
• Unit 1: L'amor a la guerra. Warriors, knights and knight-errantry.
• Unit 2: El jardí de dama Alegría. Courtesy and gent bella (literally translated as "beautiful people").
• Unit 3: El fin amor. Ladies, knights and courtly love.
Block 2: La busqueda de dama Pobresa (lady Poberty's quest)
• Unit 1: El poder del sagrat. The Reformation and the bishop of Rome.
• Unit 2: La busqueda de dama Pobresa. A politically active Christianity.
• Unit 3: Aquella immundícia e pudor de luxúria. Strict disciplinarians and their morals.
• Unit 4: La fin del mundo ha de ser. The urgency of conversion.
• Unit 5: Los malos de los jodíos. A persecuting society.
Block 3: El descobriment de dama Natura (the discovery of lady Nature)
• Unit 1: La bolsa i la vida. Cities and new cultures.
• Unit 2: El descobriment dels Antics. New knowledge and new schools of thought.
• Unit 3: El bon govern i el mal govern. About politics and the common good.
• Unit 4: Els mestres del bon foder. Doctors and the quest for health.
• Unit 5: Els altres i els monstres. The wonderful worlds and the wonders of the world.
Block 4: El seguidors de don Carnal (Don Carnal followers)
• Unit 1: Els pobres i altres gents poc recomanables. On the fringes of society.
• Unit 2: Elles tan sols volen manar. Ideas about feminine and masculine.
• Unit 3: Cal viure amb alegria. About what is useful and what is pleasant.
• Unit 4: Les batalles de don Carnal. About festivals and Carnival.
• Unit 5: La comotiva de dama Estulticia. About children, madmen and fatuous people.
*The full version with the sections 4. Assessment, 5. Bibliography and teaching resources, 6. Methodology and 7. Planning of activities is available in the original version.
4. Assessment
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5. Bibliography and teaching resources
5.1. Basic bibliography
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5.2. Complementary bibliography
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5.3. Teaching resources
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6. Metodology
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7. Planning of activities
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