BEUR310 - IfE

BEUR310
European Historical Development I: From Classical times to the Middle Ages

ECTS Value: 5 ECTS

Overall Objectives and Outcomes

This module will introduce course participants to the main themes of European history from Classical times to the end of the 15th Century. Course participants will be able to understand the main events and themes that shaped European History in its early stages.

By the end of this programme, participants should be able to:

Competences

a. Critically analyse milestone European events and understand their importance in shaping European history with special emphasis to the Ancient and Medieval periods with special emphasis on Europe;

b. Constructively criticise methodological approaches to historiography and how these lead to shaping the narrative of Classical and Medieval Europe;

c. Comprehend and analyze the cause and effects of a number of European events such as the Rise
of Christianity in order to understand the how and why;

d. Sustain arguments with regard to the importance of certain classical and Medieval historical events in shaping the European Identity.

Knowledge

a. Demonstrate critical understanding of the importance of key events in European History, mainly Democracy and the Greek City states, the Punic Wars, Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, The Barbarian Invasions, Feudalism, The Holy Roman Empire, The Carolingian Renaissance, the Crusades, the Great Schism, the rise of the Italian City states and the Age of Discoveries. Critically appreciate the importance of certain events in European history;

b. Critically identify the causes of the key events in European History mentioned in the first point above;

c. Evaluate the role of collective memory in historical development;

d. Identify and interpret the primary and secondary sources.

Skills

a. Identify the appropriate theories relating to historiography;

b. Determine the best form of research approach to carry out a historical study in relation to the Ancient and Medieval periods with special emphasis on Europe;

c. Apply the theories explored and studied in relation to the Ancient and Medieval periods with special emphasis on Europe;

d. Interpret and apply data gathered through historical research methods to carry out a historicaresearch study in relation to the Ancient and Medieval periods with special emphasis on Europe;

e. Reference correctly the appropriate literature used in relation to the Ancient and Medieval periods with special emphasis on Europe;

f. Develop the ability to plan and develop a historical research project/assignment in relation to the Ancient and Medieval periods with special emphasis on Europe.

Mode of Delivery

This module adopts a blended approach to teaching and learning. Information related to the structure and delivery of the module may be accessed through the IfE Portal. For further details, kindly refer to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy and Procedures found on the Institute for Education’s website.

Assessment Methods

This programme adopts continuous and summative methods of assessment including assignments, online tasks, reflective journals, projects and video presentations. For further details, kindly refer to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy and Procedures.

Suggested Readings

Core Reading List

1. Price, S., & Thonemann, P. (2010). The birth of classical Europe : A history from Troy to Augustine (The Penguin history of Europe). Allen Lane.
2. Jordan, W. (2002). Europe in the high middle ages (The Penguin History of Europe). Penguin Books.
3. Davis, Moore, Huntington, Moore, R. I., & Huntington, Joanna. (2013). A history of medieval Europe from Constantine to Saint Louis (3rd ed.). Oxfordshire, England ; New York: Routledge.
4. Black, J., & MacRaild, D. (2016). Studying History (Palgrave Study Skills). London: Macmillan Education UK.
5. Holmes, G. (1992). The Oxford history of medieval Europe. Oxford: Oxford U.P.
6. Le Glay, Voisin, et al. (2005). History of Rome (3rd ed.). Blackwell.
7. Osborne, R. (2004). Greek history. (Classical foundations). Routledge.
8. Runciman, S. (1990). History of the Crusades. Penguin.
9. Riley-Smith, J. (1992). What were the Crusades? (2nd ed.). Macmillan.
10. Charles Kovacs (2004); The Age of Discovery (Waldorf Education Resources); Floris Books

Supplementary Reading List

1. Canfora, L., & Jones, S. (2006). Democracy in Europe a history of an ideology (Making of Europe). Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.
2. Kallestrup, Louise Nyholm ; Toivo, Raisa Maria. (2017). Contesting Orthodoxy in Medieval and
Early Modern Europe (Palgrave Historical Studies in Witchcraft and Magic). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
3. Holt, P., Lambton, A., & Lewis, B. (1970). The Cambridge history of Islam. Cambridge U.P.
4. The Cambridge history of Christianity. (2006). Cambridge U.P.
5. Pirenne, H. (1937). Economic and social history of medieval Europe. (Harvest books). Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Various articles from online journals will also be suggested to students during the course.