The Middle Ages Reader

History 104
Dr. Belle S. Tuten
Fall 2001
Section 1: 11:00 MWF, Good Hall 320;  Section 2: 12:00 MWF, Good Hall 320
tuten@juniata.edu
Welcome to the Online Reader!

This Reader provides you both with a course schedule and with the links to the online primary texts which you'll be required to read during the semester. If you can't get to this page often enough, or there is a problem, I have a printed copy available in my office for students to use and all documents are on the P drive at P:\TUTEN\HS104\.

Click here to see the Class Syllabus

A primary text is a document that was written during the period of history which you are studying. Reading what people wrote in the past gives us a window into what they thought and did. The texts correspond with the topics on the syllabus (below).
When you read a primary text, try not to be confused or put off by the fact that the writing may not sound like normal everyday English. Look for the author's point of view and opinions and try to apply what you know about the historical period to what you read in the document.

Online Reader and Schedule

Section I

Aug. 27
Introduction

Aug. 29
The Roman Empire
Textbook, chapter 2

Aug. 31
Augustus

Sept. 3
Early Christianity
Online Reading: The Passion of Sts. Perpetua and Felicity
ASSIGNMENT for today: Bring a copy of this reading to class with you.
Textbook, chapter 3

Sept. 5
Philosophy and Faith

Sept. 7
Triumph of Christianity in Rome
Online Reading: Eusebius, the Conversion of Constantine (Group 1)
Textbook, chapter 3

Sept. 10
Discussion: Life of St. Anthony, from Early Christian Lives (study questions)
(there will be a quiz)

Sept. 12
Crisis of the Third Century
Textbook, chapter 2

Sept. 14
The  Barbarian "Invasions"
Online Reading: Tacitus, selections from the Germania (Group 2)
Textbook, chapter 4

Sept. 17
Society and Culture in the late empire

Sept. 19
Byzantium
Online Reading: Procopius on Justinian (Group 3)
Textbook, pp. 121-132

Sept. 21
Islam
Online Reading: Life of Muhammad (Group 4)
Textbook, pp. 123-135

Sept. 24
The Irish Synthesis
Online Reading: The Venerable Bede on the Conversion of England (Group 5)
Textbook: 111-123

Sept. 26  No class: history day workshop

Sept. 28
Monasticism
Online Reading: Selections from The Rule of St. Benedict (Group 1)
Textbook, pp. 111-121

Oct. 1
The Rise of the Franks
Online Reading: Gregory of Tours on Clovis (Group 2)
Textbook, pp. 94-110

Oct. 3
The Carolingians
Textbook, pp. 129-144

Oct. 5
Charlemagne

Oct. 8
Discussion: Einhard and Notker, Two Lives of Charlemagne (study questions)
There will be a quiz.

Oct. 10
The Carolingian Renaissance
Textbook, pp. 144-146

Oct. 12
The Ninth and Tenth Century Invasions
Online Reading: Annals of Xanten, 845-853 (Group 3)
Textbook, pp. 145-152

Oct. 15 No class: Fall Break

Oct. 17
Midterm Exam

Oct. 19
The Ottonians and Capetians
Textbook, chapter 10

Oct. 22
The Norman Conquest of England
Online Reading: from the Domesday Book (Group 4)
Textbook, chapter 10

Oct. 24
Power and Law
Online Reading: An Oath of Fealty (Group 5)
Textbook, chapter 8

Oct. 26
The Investiture Controversy
Online Reading: the Dictatus Papae (Group 1)
Textbook, chapter 11

Oct. 29
The First Crusade
Online Reading: Pope Urban II's speech on the Crusade (Group 2)
Textbook, chapter 12

Oct. 31
Film: the capture of Jerusalem

Nov. 2
The Rise of Towns and the Agricultural revolution
Online Reading: Guild Rules (Group 3)
Textbook, chapters 9 and 13

Nov. 5
Revival of Monasticism
Online Reading: Abbot Suger on Saint-Denis (Group 4)

Nov. 7
Anti-Semitism and Heresy
Online Reading: Bernard Gui on the Cathars (Group 5)

Nov. 9
The Friars Minor
Online Reading: Rule of the Franciscan Order (Group 1)
Textbook, pp. 299-306

Nov. 12
Rise of Universities and Philosophy
Online Reading: Jacques deVitry on Students (Group 2)

Nov. 14
Medieval Science and Medicine
Online Reading: Courses of Study from the U. of Paris (Group 3)
Textbook, chapter 15

Nov. 16
Philosophy and Religion

Nov. 19
Thomas Aquinas

Nov. 21-23 Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov. 26
Vernacular Literature and Courtly Culture

Nov. 28
Discussion: Chretien de Troyes, Erec et Enide (study questions)
There will be a quiz.

Nov. 30
Popular Culture in the Late Middle Ages

Dec. 3
Church and State: Henry II and Thomas Becket

Dec. 5
Nobles v. King: Magna Carta
Online Readings: the Magna Carta (Group 4)
Textbook, chapter 16

Dec. 7
Pope v. King: Boniface VIII
Online Reading: Unam Sanctam (Group 5)

Dec 10
Conclusion: The Fourteenth Century and Why you Should be Glad You Weren't There


last update: 7/19/01
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