European History 500-1500

COURSE OBJECTIVE
To provide students with knowledge about and insight in the most important aspect of the history of particularly Europe in the period knwon as 'The Middle Ages', when Europe and its culture as we know it slowly started taking shape.

COURSE CONTENT
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, large parts of Europe had to reinvent themselves, confronted with changed economic circumstances that changed society fundamentally. At the same time Christianity started to play an ever more important role in this society as it spread across the continent and assumed the role of the only seriously functioning institution in this new society, with an ever greater grip on believers. This was the era that also saw the emergence of the European urban landscape in the high Middle Ages, the formation of states, and typically European institutions as Estates and universities. The later Middle Ages saw a dramatic population decline after which the foundations were once again laid for further growth that lead to innovation and the beginning of European Expansion. Al these themes are highlighted during this course.

TEACHING METHODS
A weekly lecture and a weekly seminar.

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
Assignments (25%) and a written exam (75%).