Module HIST42330: Byzantium and the West, 300-1200

Department: History

HIST42330: Byzantium and the West, 300-1200

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To gain an advanced understanding of the religion, politics and culture of Byzantium and the medieval west, including:
• contacts and comparisons between Byzantium and the West
• the methodologies of studying aspects of eastern and western cultures, including religion, ritual and ceremonial, rulership, diplomacy
• a range of source materials encompassing the art and literature of Byzantium and the medieval west broadly defined

Content

• This module will study aspects of religion, politics and culture in Byzantium and the medieval west, with particular regard to in-depth study of sources including written texts, architecture, art, coins, manuscripts, archaeological sites, and royal regalia, and to understanding of methodological approaches including those derived from other disciplines such as anthropology and sociology. The range of topics studied will include a selection of: religion; court culture; sacred space; investiture of rulers; imperial and royal entries and triumphs; relics and icons as aspects of rulership; diplomatic rituals; the death and burial rituals of rulers.

Learning Outcomes

• advanced knowledge and understanding of the religion, politics and culture of Byzantium and the medieval west, and scholarly literature thereon

• http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/PGModuleProformaMap/

• http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/PGModuleProformaMap/

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

• Student learning is facilitated by a range of teaching methods.
• Seminars and Group Discussion require students to reflect on and discuss: their prior knowledge and experience; set reading of secondary and, where appropriate, primary readings; information provided during the session. They provide a forum in which to assess and comment critically on the findings of others, defend their conclusions in a reasoned setting, and advance their knowledge and understanding of the religion, politics and culture of Byzantium and the medieval west.
• Structured reading requires students to focus on set materials integral to the knowledge and understanding of the module. It specifically enables the acquisition of detailed knowledge and skills which will be discussed in other areas of the teaching and learning experience.
• Assessment is by means of a 5000 word essay which requires the acquisition and application of advanced knowledge and understanding of an aspect of the religion, politics and culture of Byzantium and the medieval west. Essays require a sustained and coherent argument in defence of a hypothesis, and must be presented in a clearly written and structured form, and with appropriate apparatus.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One or more short assignments delivered orally and discussed in a group context

■ 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