Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module HIST59930: The Medieval Frontier

Department: History

HIST59930: The Medieval Frontier

Type Open Level 4 Credits 30 Availability Available in 2007/08 Module Cap

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To enable students to become familiar with some of the extensive literature on the subject and with current historiographical controversies relating to the medieval frontier. To require students to scrutinise and evaluate different historiographical approaches in context of a case study of a particular medieval frontier.

Content

  • The frontier regions of medieval Europe: comparisons and contrasts
  • The role of factors such as political power, religion, ethnicity, language and geographical features in defining medieval frontiers
  • How medieval frontiers were described, demarcated and policed
  • The distinctive social, economic and political characteristics of medieval frontier regions
  • The relative importance of the divisive and integrative characteristics of frontiers in relation to the life of medieval frontier regions

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
    Subject-specific Skills:
      Key Skills:

        Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

        • Individual tutorials

        Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

        Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
        Tutorials 9 Weekly 1 hour 9
        Preparation and Reading 291
        Total 300

        Summative Assessment

        Component: Essay Component Weighting: 100%
        Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
        Essay 5000 words 100%

        Formative Assessment:

        There is no seperate formative assessment, but at least one initial draft of the summative essay will be handed in for comment. The tutor will provide regular oral feedback on work in progress.


        Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University