MRST 5301 001:
METHODS IN MEDIEVAL
& RENAISSANCE STUDIES (45757)
Wednesdays, 7-9:30 pm, HH127
Spring Term 2019
TEACHER
John Howe,
Professor of
History,
Advisor for the A&S
Medieval & Renaissance Studies Center, TTU
Office: 143 Holden Hall
Office Hours: MW 11:00am-12:30pm; MW 9:45-10:15pm; and by
appointment
Telephone: 834‑7544
E‑Mail: john.howe@ttu.edu Fax
806 742-1006
Web: http://myweb.ttu.edu/jhowe
(the best way to access this syllabus)
PURPOSES OF THE COURSE
To introduce the scholarship of
medieval and renaissance studies.
To examine how different academic disciplines analyze and interpret the years
between the classical era and the end of the early modern era. To
introduce resources available at Texas Tech University for the study of the
middle ages and the renaissance.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this
class, students will be able to:
1. Describe multiple medieval and renaissance images that have shaped
discourse on the development of Western Civilization;
2. Describe major historiographical trends related to medieval and
renaissance studies;
3. Describe major attempts at preserving and recreating medieval and
renaissance culture;
4. Identify resources available at
Texas Tech University for medieval and renaissance studies;
5. Be more proficient in the
following genres of writing: essay
and identification examinations, book reviews, and term paper.
Methods for Assessing the Expected Learning Outcomes
The expected
learning outcomes of the course will be assessed through: examinations, book
reviews, a term paper, class discussion, and miscellaneous classroom assessment
activities.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Required
Texts
Blanning, Tim, The Romantic Revolution:
A History. New York: Modern Library, 2012.
Bull, Marcus. Thinking Medieval: An Introduction to the Study of the Middle Ages. New York: Palgrave, 2005.
Caferro, William. Contesting the
Renaissance. Maldon, MA:
Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.
Highet, Gilbert. The Classical Tradition:
Greek and Roman Influence on Western Literature. Oxford: Oxford University
Press, 2015 [pp. v-xi,xv-xl,1-254, 541-49].
In addition to the above, there are relevant texts hyperlinked to this
electronic syllabus or available through Texas Tech Library electronic
databases. Guest instructors will provide hand-outs or Web texts
of modest length which should be read prior to their classes.
Access to these assignments will be provided a week or more in advance.
Required Reading
Some specific reading assignments for
each class are listed below in the "Reading and Lecture Schedule," placed just
ahead and to the right of the lecture date by which they should be completed.
Each assignment is the subject of the following lecture or discussion. Read so
that you arrive in class prepared to explain, praise, criticize, and question.
Class Attendance
Success in this course requires regular class attendance. When this seminar
meets, difficult
reading assignments are interpreted and contextualized; and additional subject
matter may be introduced. Lecturers
will often be experts in disciplines outside of your home departments, and you
cannot ask them questions if you are not in attendance. You should
not be enrolled if you cannot attend 80% of the scheduled classes (that is, do
not miss more than four classes).
Examinations
There will be two written
examinations. The first, on Wednesday March 6, written in class, will include
identifications (from a list prepared in advance) and a single
essay to be
selected from two or more choices.
The second examination will be a take-home project, due at 5:00pn Tuesday May 15,
that requires you to describe the medieval and renaissance studies paradigms of four
different academic disciplines (each individual description to be no longer than
500 words).
Term Paper
Students will produce a typed
double-spaced paper of about ten pages (ca. 4000 -5000 words) describing and
analyzing the medieval and Renaissance teaching and research carried out on this
Texas Tech University campus in one particular academic department or program
(one approved by the lead teacher, who will not approve papers on departments
that lack teaching and research in these fields). The paper should include specific references to courses, faculty members, research and publications, etc.
It should examine what is currently done, aspirations for the future, and
the level of coordination with related programs in other TTU departments.
When appropriate, this analysis may include connections between TTU
efforts and national and international efforts in medieval and renaissance
studies.
A subject (that is, an academic department) must be proposed by
Wednesday,
March 6 (one question on the first exam will be "What is your research
subject?"); a preliminary draft of the paper is due on Wednesday, April 10 (a draft
must be submitted by April 10 or a grade of F will be assigned with no
opportunity allowed for rewriting). Graded timely papers will be returned
on Monday, April 17.
Either the initial grade can be kept or the paper can be rewritten and
resubmitted for a new grade. No rewritten papers will be accepted after 7:00pm
on Saturday, May 11 by 7:30pm.
Book Reviews
Over the course of the semester, each
student will write three book reviews,
from books and articles assigned.
Each review should not be much longer than about two double-spaced typed pages.
Students should be prepared to report orally in class on works they have
reviewed.
Medieval History in Film Visions of the Pre-Modern World
A "film
festival" on Francis of Assisi is scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, April
17, from 6:00-9:30pm (pizza provided). Come see how three different film
directors interpreted the story of Francis of Assisi. This event modifies
of regular class hours, so pleae mark your calendars and arrange your schedule
now.
Extra Credit
Opportunities
Medieval and Renaissance Professional Conferences: Attend
and write a three-page repot on an approved medieval or renaissance studies
conference. One example of such a conferrnce would be the
Southcentral Renaissance Conference (SCRC) which will be hosted by Texas
Tech on April 11-13.
Write a three-page paper describing the utility (or uselessness) of the
conference as determined by your own conference experiences.
Bonus Points for Examples of
"Dark Age" and "Golden Age" Ideologies:
Students can win extra-credit points
by nominating and submitting a text or other media sample that is chosen as the
winning entry in one of the five award contests described below.
Each student is limited to no more than one dozen total entries, to be be submitted as
appropriate among the contests. The
winners will be determined by vote of the students in class, a vote which is
advisory to the lead teacher who will approve/make the final decisions.
Winning entries will be sought
for:
1) The passage of relatively contemprary print or film dialogue judged to be the most extreme
(best? or worst?) example of
"mock medieval dialect" or "mock renaissance dialect." These are
the jargons used by participants in Renaissance Pleasure Faires: for
example, "Look hard for the truth!" rendered as "Through full care thee mede of
wisdom seekest thou!"
2) the most extreme (best? or worst?) relatively contemporary printed or film example of “Dark Age” or“Golden Age"
stereotyping of the medieval and/or renaissance periods;
3) the best justification published by a modern or contemporary author
for studying medieval and/or renaissance European civilization;
4) the best justification published by a modern or contemporary author for
not studying medieval and/or renaissance European civilization; and
5) identification of the published modern or contemporary scholarly theoretical analysis of a
medieval or renaissance subject which is voted most likely to offend and
outrage a reasonably educated but non-academic general Lubbock audience.
GRADING
The
course grade will be computed as follows: 30% from the two midterm tests (that is,
15% from each); 30% from the three book reviews (10% from each); 30% from the term
paper; and 10% from class participation. The class participation grade is based
on attendance, class preparation, and class contributions. Outstanding students
get the class-participation percentage credited as an `A'; those adequate but
undistinguished have the points dropped out of the average (so that they neither
help nor hurt); those below acceptable standards have them credited as an `F.'
Two
extra credit opportunities are provided.
The two students who submit the most prize-winning entries of examples of
"Dark Age" and "Golden Age" Ideologies (as described above under "extra credit
opportunities)" will receive an extra 5% of A credit.
A student who attends and satisfactorily reports on an approved medieval
or renaissance conference will receive 5% of A credit.
These credits are added within the 100% base.
UNIVERSITY NOTICES
Religious Holy Days
"Religious holy
day" means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt
from property taxation under Texas Tax Code §11.20. A student who intends to
observe a religious holy day should make that intention known in writing to the
instructor prior to the absence. A student who is absent from classes for the
observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or
complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the
absence. A student who is excused under this provision may not be penalized for
the absence; however, the instructor may respond appropriately if the student
fails to complete the assignment satisfactorily.
ADA Statement
Any
student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order
to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as
possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should present appropriate
verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor’s office
hours. Please note: instructors are not allowed to provide classroom
accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from Student
Disability Services has been provided. For additional information, please
contact Student Disability Services in West Hall or call 806-742-2405.
TTU Statement of
Academic Integrity:
Academic
integrity is taking responsibility for one’s own work, being individually
accountable, and demonstrating intellectual honesty and ethical behavior.
Academic integrity is a personal choice to abide by the standards of
intellectual honesty and responsibility. Because
education is a shared effort to achieve learning through the exchange of ideas,
students, faculty, and staff have the collective responsibility to build mutual
trust and respect. Ethical behavior and independent thought are essential for
the highest level of academic achievement, which then must be measured. Academic
achievement includes scholarship, teaching and learning, all of which are shared
endeavors. Grades are a device used to quantify the successful accumulation of
knowledge through learning. Adhering to the standards of academic integrity
ensures that grades are earned honestly and gives added value to the entire
educational process. Academic integrity is the foundation upon which students,
faculty, and staff build their educational and professional careers.
Students are
responsible for understanding the principles and policies regarding academic
integrity at Texas Tech University, and abide by them in all class and/or course
work at the University. Academic misconduct violations are outlined in the
Code of Student Conduct. The
University policies and procedures regarding academic integrity can be found in
the
Code of Student Conduct , online in the Student
Handbook.
It is the aim of
the faculty of Texas Tech University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and
high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any
work not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a
most serious offence and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences,
possibly suspension.
Academic or
“Scholastic” dishonesty includes, but it not limited to, cheating, plagiarism,
collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, and any act
designed to give unfair academic advantage to the student (such as, but not
limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two
courses without the prior permission of the instructor) or the attempt to commit
such an act.
READING AND LECTURE SCHEDULE
W Jan 16
Introduction / Discussion on
the Shape of the Second Half of the Course /
Introduction to
Medieval & Renaissance Organizations
Bull 1-61; Caferro 1-97
W Jan 23 Periodization and Conceptualization
Caferro 98-125; classical images; Read Highet, Classical Tradition v-xi,xv-xl, 1-254, 541-49, and write a book review based upon the assigned sections
W Jan 30 Classical Traditions
Read Blanning, Romantic Revolution ;
Sir Walter Scott, "Christmas" ;
Houses of Parliament ;
Downton Abbey
W Feb 6 The Romantic Tradition and “Medievalism”
Bull 62-102; Caffaro 126-212; Patrick J. Geary, "Writing the Nation"; Andrew Lynch, "War, Church, and the Medieval...for Children"; Lynn T. White Jr., "The Legacy of the Middle Ages in the American Wild West," Speculum 40 (1965): 191-202 [access through JSTOR]. Howe as Teleologist. Write a two-page review of Geary, Lynch, or White
W Feb 13 Medieval & Renaissance Roots of Western Culture
Bull 102-41; Green Man; read & review an item from
“The Middle Ages and the Renaissance as
Alterity"
W Feb 20 The "New” Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Paleography;
Paleographical Terms;
Peruse
Notre Dame Paleographical Resources; Visit the
Museum of Texas Tech University (SE corner of 4th Street & Indiana, open
Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 1-5pm) and survey the exhibit on "Pre Modern
Bibles: From the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Complutensian Polyglot Bible"--study
the scripts and illustrations and formatting of medieval bibles.
W Feb 27 Paleography and Manuscript Studies
Study
for Examination #1
W Mar 6 Examination / Panel on Medieval and Renaissance History (Jacob Baum, Stefano D'Amico, and Lane Sobehrad, TTU History)
[Sat-Sun March
9-16
Spring Vacation]
Kiséry & Determann; Lake; Palliser ; Milton Debate
W Mar 20
Bede et al.;
Bryan, "Collaborative Meaning"
W Mar 27 Medieval English
Literature (Brian McFadden and Julie Couch, TTU English)
CLASS MEETS in ENGLISH 359 at 7:00pm
Read
Thomas Forrest Kelly, Early Music: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 2011)
W Apr 3 Medieval
& Renaissance Music (Angela Marianni and Stacey Jocoy, Music)
CLASS MEETS in MUSIC
125 at 7:00pm
W
Apr 10 Medieval
and Renaissance Romance Literature (John
Beusterien, Spanish; Lucas Wood, French)
Stepahnie Trigg, "Review: Filming the Middle Ages,"
Studies in the Age of Chaucer,34
(2012): 365-68 [access through TTU Library Project Muse]
another review of Bildhauer
W
Apr 17 Medieval and Renaissance Civilization in Film:
Francis of Assisi. 6:00-9:30pm (pizza provided):
note that this class will start an hour early.
Please mark your calendars and arrange your schedules accordingly.
CLASS
MEETS in HOLDEN HALL 106 at 6:00pm
Brian Tierney, "Idea of Natural Rights";
DNA from MSS ;
Archeoentomology ;
Archeobotany ; GIS
DARMC ;
Laser Mass Spectrocopy ;
Multispectral imaging
W Apr 24 Studying Medieval and Renaissance Law (Bruce Brasington, History, WTAMU) | New Technologies, NewTechniques (Dating Techniques, DNA, Archeoentemology, Megadata Statistics, etc.)
Angenendt, Smith, Weigert: ; "To See Ouselves..."; Schmitter
W
May 1 Medieval
& Renaissance Art (Janis Elliott, Brian Steele, Art)
CLASS MEETS in ART B02 at 7:00pm
Work on class paper and take-home exam
Work on class paper and take-home exam
Saturday May 11
7:30pm to 10:30pm FINAL EXAMINATION TIME SLOT:
Discussion on
Medieval and Renaissance
Studies at TTU / Awarding of the
Class Prizes.
Tu May 17 9:00 am Deadline for receiving class
papers, extra credit reports, etc.