Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)

Module HIST41830: Issues in Medieval History

Department: History

HIST41830: Issues in Medieval History

Type Open Level 4 Credits 30 Availability Available in 2012/13 Module Cap None.

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • to gain an advanced understanding of aspects of the theoretical and conceptual approaches to Medieval History (c.300-c.1500)

Content

  • This course introduces students to some of the major problems, issues and debates in Medieval History. It focuses on the period from the transformation of the Roman Empire to the early sixteenth century, and is taught comparatively across Western Christendom and the Byzantine Commonwealth. The range of topics studied may include kingship and ritual; urban life, ethnicity and identity; intellectual culture; art and architecture; warfare, in particular holy war; acculturation; frontiers; political thought and practice; monastic life; and historiographical traditions. Students will be able to focus intensively on one of these topics in their coursework, but will be expected to engage with the full range through oral presentations and discussion

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • advanced knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual approaches relevant to Medieval History
Subject-specific Skills:
  • http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/PGModuleProformaMap/
Key Skills:
  • 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 history.
  • 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 conceptual and theoretical approaches to medieval history. 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

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
seminars 8 weekly 2 hours 16
discussion groups 2 two a term 2 hours 4
structured reading and essay preparation 280
TOTAL 300

Summative Assessment

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

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