HISTORY 3346: THE AGE OF CHIVALRY
Section 001; CRN 62570
Spring 2021: MWF10:00-10:50
Media and Communication 359
TEACHER
John Howe,
Professor of
History,
Advisor,
Medieval and Renaissance Studies Center
Office:
143 Holden Hall,
Office Hours:
MW 11-12:15am; W 2:00-3:30 (Online);
W 9:45-10:15pm; and by appointmen
Telephone: 806 834-7544
E-mail: john,howe@ttu.edu
Web:
http://myweb.ttu.edu/jhowe
PURPOSES OF THE COURSE
To acquire a general knowledge of medieval Western European civilization from
ca. 1000 to ca. 1400. To examine in detail medieval Western Europe's
martially oriented aristocratic culture, its effects on almost all aspects of
society, and its changes made under the influence of social and technological
developments. To gain self-knowledge by recognizing vestiges of chivalry
still remaining today.
Expected Learning Outcomes
“Students graduating from Texas Tech University should be able to think
critically and demonstrate an understanding of the possibility of multiple
interpretations, cultural contexts, and values.”
Upon successful completion History
3346 students will be able to:
1. Describe major events and individuals associated with the high medieval
Latin West;
2. Discuss the documentary foundation that underlies this historical
narrative;
3. Appreciate in more detail how the development of the high medieval
Latin West relates to basic themes and developments of “Western Civilization”;
4. Appreciate human behaviors and ideas in greater depth by studying
chivalry and nobility as manifested in medieval social institutions and epic and
romance literatures; and
5. Achieve greater proficiency in the following genres of historical
writing: essay examination and short research paper.
Methods for Assessing the Expected Learning Outcomes
The Expected Learning Outcomes of the course will be assessed through quizzes,
examinations, a term paper, class discussions, and miscellaneous classroom
assessment activities.
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS
Required Texts
Chrétien de Troyes, Perceval: The Story of the Grail. Trans. by Ruth
Cline. Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press,
1985.
Maurice Keen, Chivalry. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1984.
Barbara H. Rosenwein, A Short History of
the Middle Ages. Fifth edition. Toronto: University of Toronto Press,
2018.
Song of Roland. Trans. by Guy
Burgess. New York: Penguin, 1990.
Documents taken from the Web are also required. You can "click" to these
directly when you access this syllabus via the internet. Print out texts a few
days in advance to avoid last minute server or network problems.
Required Reading
Reading assignments for each class are specified in the “Reading and Lecture
Schedule.” Each assignment is the subject of the class listed just below
and to the left. Read so that you are prepared to explain, praise,
criticize, and question. Readings are manageable when read on schedule,
overwhelming if neglected. The scheduled quizzes are based exclusively on the
readings assigned for that particular class.
Class Attendance
Attend class. In the classroom difficult reading assignments are
interpreted, additional subject matter is introduced, and visual materials are
displayed. Part of the course grade is based on class participation, and
you cannot participate when absent. If you cannot attend at least 80% of
the classes, then you should not be enrolled.
Examinations
Eight
multiple-choice
in-class quizzes are scheduled on the readings assigned for particular days.
No make-ups will be allowed for these quizzes, but this should not present any
insuperable problems inasmuch as only the top five grades out of the seven
scheduled quizzes will actually count in your course grade. So, if you read
the asigned texts, you could theoretically miss two quizzes without adversely
affecting your grade.
Midterm tests
are scheduled for
Monday, February 22, and Friday, March 26. Each will
include
multiple-choice
questions,
identifications,
and a single
essay (to be selected from two or more choices), and perhaps
map work. If, for good reason, a test is missed, a make-up test
may be taken at 2:00-3:00pm on Monday, May 3. Students receiving a grade
below "C" on a midterm are expected to discuss that examination with the teacher
(not doing so adversely affects the class participation grade).
The final
examination on Saturday, May 8 at 10:30am - 1:00pm will feature
multiple-choice questions,
identifications,
and perhaps
map work on the material covered since the second midterm, and then
several
essay questions covering the
material of the entire course. .
Term Paper
Each student will write a 10-12 page, double-spaced, typed paper about a
medieval person, analyzing whether or not he or she was "chivalrous.” A list of
possible candidates will be provided. Each paper should use at least
two
primary and four secondary sources. For aid in locating sources, see
the Medieval Academy of America's list of Medieval
Digital Resources. The paper should also demonstrate knowledge of relevant
points in the required readings. "Chicago-style" citation is recopmmened
but not required: for help, see the
Help Page. Subjects must be chosen by
Monday,
February 22. The papers are due on Friday, April 9. Late papers will
be penalized one letter grade, and no first draft papers will be accepted after
Monday, April 12. Papers received by the due date will be returned with
corrections on Wednesday, April 14. Students may keep the grade earned or
rewrite the paper for a higher grade, but no rewritten papers will be accepted
after 4:00pm on Tuesday, May 11.
GRADING
The
course grade will be computed as follows: 25% from the midterm tests (that
is, 12.5% from each); 10% from the quizzes (2% from each of the top five quiz
grades); 25% from the paper; 10% from class participation; and 30% from the
final. Extra Credit 5%
The class
participation grade is determined in this way. At the end of the semester,
students are divided into three groups on the basis of attendance, class
preparation, and class contributions: 1) individuals who were outstanding;
2) individuals who were generally average; and 3) individuals who were well
below average. In computing the course grade, the first group gets the
class participation component credited as an ‘A’; the second group has these
points dropped out (so they neither help nor hurt); and the third group has them
credited as an ‘F’.
OFFICIAL NOTICES
"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.
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 Student Handbook. The
Code of Student Conduct can be
found 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 20 Introduction
Rosenwein vi-vii, xv, 1-5, 24-25, 96, 102;
Eurasia;
Mediterranean Topography;
Map of the divided Carolingian Empire;
Europe 900
F Jan 22 Geography
Rosenwein 129-35;
Annals of the Abbey of Xanten;
[M Jan 25 Last day for student-initiated Drop/Add]
M Jan 25 Quiz #1 / The Last Invaders of the West
Rosenwein 135-40;
Encastellation
;
Motte and Bailley Castles
W Jan 27 Europe Recovers
Rosenwein 140-51; Germany
in mid 10th cent ; Italy
in Early Eleventh Century
F Jan 29 New-Style Kingships
Rosenwein 161-75;
Europe 1000;
new horse collar
M Feb 1 A Wider World
Rosenwein 176-79;
Truce of God;
Howe, "Nobility's Reform of the Medieval Church"
W Feb 3 Quiz
#2 / Religious Reform
Rosenwein 179-83;
Henry IV to Gregory VII; Gregory
VII to Henry IV
[Th Feb 4 Last day to drop without penalty; last day to drop and receive
a refund]
F Feb 5 Empire and Papacy
Rosenwein 172-76 and 183-89;
Ekkehard
;
Fulk
M Feb
8 The Expansion of Europe
Rosenwein 190-92;
Richer
; Guibert
W Feb 10 New Schools
Keen ix-x, 1-23
F Feb 12 Quiz #3 /
The Problem of Chivalry
Keen
23-43
M Feb 15 Secular Origins of Chivalry
[Tu Feb 16 Last Day to Withdraw from the University with a Partial Refund]
Keen 44-82
W Feb 17 Chivalry and the Church
Keen 83-101
F Feb 19 The Rise of the Tournament
Study; finalize your choice of term paper subject
M
Feb 22 Midterm No. 1
Roland 7-49; Rosenwein 192-203;
Life in a Medieval Castle
;
Romanesque architecture
W Feb 24 Romanesque Architecture
Roland
51-104
F Feb 26 Quiz #4 / Epic
Literature
Roland
104-44
M Mar 1 Epic Themes / Discussion
Roland
144-203
W Mar 3 Discussion of Roland
Keen 102-42; heraldry
F Mar 5 Chivalric Learning
Rosenwein 214-21;
Trade ;
Exchequer ;
Magna Carta
M Mar 8 The Birth of the State in Western Europe: England, Spain, France
Rosenwein 221-27;
Wool Merchants
and the Florentine Government
; Florence's Treaty with San Gimignano
W Mar 10 Empire and City States
Rosenwein 228-31; Perceval
ix-xxix
F
Mar 12
Romances
Perceval
2-20
M Mar 15 Perceval Meets Chivalry
Perceval
21-81
W Mar 17 Quiz #5 /
Perceval Becomes a Knight
[F Mar 19 "Spring Break"]
Perceval
82-167
M Mar 22 The Grail Quest
Perceval
168-244 ; Rosenwein 230-31
W Mar 24 The Arthurian Cycle
Study
F Mar 26 Midterm #2
Rosenwein 233-37;
Amiens
M Mar 29 The Gothic Style
Rosenwein 237-39; Innocent
III Biography;
Lateran IV
W Mar 31 Roman Leadership in the Church
Francis: The Authoritative Life;
Rosenwein 231-33
[W Mar 31 Last day to declare
pass/fail intentions]
F Apr 2 Mendicants and Universities
Rosenwein 239-47, 265-68
[M Apr 5 Easter Holiday]
W Apr 7
Future Shock
Rosenwein 268-75; finish the semester paper
F Apr 9 Stronger Monarchies
Rosenwein 275-89;
Tips on Reading Aquinas
; Summa
Theologiae
M Apr 12 Quiz #6 / The Scholastic Synthesis and Its
Fraying
Rosenwein 267-75, 282-84;
Chaucer's Wife of Bath ; Butcher of Abbeville
W Apr 14 Later Medieval Lay
Literature
Everyman
F Apr 16 Quiz #7 / Later Medieval Drama
Rosenwein 289-322
M Apr 19 Plague, Violence,
Economic Depression
Rosenwein 322-25
W Apr 21 Quiz #8 / The Church in Crisis
Rosenwein 325-41
[W Apr 21 Last day to withdraw from the university]
F Apr 23 Renaissance?
Keen 143-78
M Apr 26 Quiz #9 / Nobility in the Later Middle Ages
Keen 179-99
W Apr 28 Secular Orders of Chivalry
Keen 200-218;
Jacques de Lalaing
F Apr 30 Late Medieval
Chivalry
Rosenwein 341-42; Keen 219-53
M May 3 Chivalry and
Ourselves
[M May 3 Make-Up Test at 2:00-3:00pm]
[W May 5 Dead Day]
Study
Sat May 8 10:30am - 1:00pm FINAL EXAMINATION
Tu May 11 at 4:00pm Deadline for submitting rewritten papers
May 17-18 Friday / Saturday
Graduation
