This course provides an overview of medieval history and the transformations of medieval society, from the waning of the Roman Empire through the fifteenth (and early sixteenth) centuries. The focus is on Western Europe, although attention will be paid to Europeans' perception of forces, cultures and empires beyond their borders (e.g., the Vikings, the Byzantine Empire, the rise of Islam, etc.).  Through a variety of genres (literary, religious, philosophical, and political texts—as well as art and music), this course explores the medieval imagination and the many textures of medieval life and thought.  To maintain an interdisciplinary approach, the course will be divided chronologically into two segments.  (The dates dividing these two segments are not meant to be absolute; it is inevitable that, chronologically speaking, there will be some overlap).?

Segment 1: Early Middle Ages (ca. fifth through twelfth centuries)

This segment begins with Augustine, treating him as a transitional figure belonging both to antiquity and to the Middle Ages, as a way to address the question of periodization.  The choice of other personalities and texts will be left to the discretion of the instructor, with these provisos:  (1) this segment will introduce the feudal social structure and organization, how that impacted daily life, where authority was located and how it was exercised, etc.; (2) it (at least) touches on the Byzantine Empire and the rise of Islam; and (3) it addresses the Crusades.  (Note that Dante might also be taught in "The Renaissance" course, so coordination with that instructor is essential.)

Segment 2: The "High" and Late Middle Ages (ca. thirteenth through fifteenth centuries)

This segment begins with an introduction to the significance the period of ca. 1200 as an important time because of political, economical, demographic, educational, and religious shifts that occur around that time; it might also address tensions between unity and disunity, and the formation of national cultures.  Exact material to be covered will be left to the discretion of the instructor, with these two reminders:  Dante will be taught in the Renaissance course; the subject matter of the course "Faith and Reason in the Middle ages" should also be noted.