HIST 331,    Medieval Mediterranean
(Also listed as CORE 365, JC)

Spring Semester 2010

Meets: Days 2-4-6, 11:20-12:30, Quad 361

Course website: http://www.hmml.org/centers/malta/mediterranean/mediterranean.htm

Moodle site: https://moodle.csbsju.edu/course/view.php?id=1487 Passkey: HIST331 (note all caps)

Instructor: Dr. Theresa Vann
Office hours: Quad 359D, Days 1-3-7, x 3198; or Hill Museum & Manuscript Library, x 3993.
e-mail: tvann@csbsju.edu

Course description:  This course will explore the Mediterranean world from the age of Constantine to the fall of Constantinople (4^th century - 1453). The student will learn the social, economic, ecological, and religious factors that shaped the history of this region.

Books: (Available in the SJU bookstore; also available through Amazon.com and other sites.)

On-line resources:

Reading Assignments: Reading assignments are listed on the syllabus.  The readings are from the required books, articles, and primary sources in translation. They will provide background information and bibliography for the lectures, classroom discussions, and the presentations.  You are responsible for the assigned material.

Written Assignments (March 22nd, May 3rd): You  will select one region of the Mediterranean and research its history, geography, and economy from the fifth through the fifteenth century. For the first assignment you will create a historical profile for the region, describing its people, their religion, culture, society, language, the major cities, trading partners, natural resources, and government structures. The second assignment will examine a major event in the history of the region, with a discussion of the primary sources. These papers are to be no more than seven pages in length.   More details about this assignment.

Presentations: Groups of three to six students will make formal presentations to the class that explore issues related to the readings. The presentations may take any format, except that of reading from a prepared text or a book (unless for the purpose of quotation). The presenters will have the entire class period to make the presentation, which should include a general discussion. Grading will be based on content and participation.

Exams: There will be two written exams, a midterm and a final.  The midterm will be THursday, March 18th.  The final will be a take-home, and will be due on the date assigned by the registrar.  There will be no make-ups for missed exams.  If you know ahead of time that you will not be able to take a scheduled exam, please notify me and we will reschedule the exam.

Plagiarism Policy: CSB/SJU has defined Plagiarism as the "act of appropriating and using the ideas, writings, or works of original expressions of another person as one's own without giving credit to the person who created the work. This may encompass portions of a work or an entire work. Works of original expression include but are not limited to papers, speeches, poetry, movies, videos, protected pieces of art, illustrations, and musical compositions." Plagiarism can result in failure of the course and/or expulsion from the university. It is in your best interests to ensure that you DO NOT plagiarize. Paraphrasing the words of another does not protect you from charges of plagiarism. Copying information directly off the web constitutes plagiarism. Consult with the instructor if you have any questions about what constitutes fair use. If you plagiarize, you will receive a failing grade on the assignment. Blatant plagiarism will result in failure of the course.

Use of Web Materials: This course will use materials that are posted on the internet. Students must write a brief summary of the required readings from the website and bring it to class. Students may only cite web-based materials that: 1) name the author; 2) name the institution sponsoring the site; and, when in doubt 3) pass review by the instructor.

Cell phones must be shut off during class. Texting, IM, Facebook, or other personal electronic communications are not allowed during class.

Attendance: The student is responsible for attending each class and arriving on time.  The student should inform the instructor if he/she knows that he/she cannot attend a class.  The student is responsible for making up any work or assignments.  Students are excused for religious observations.

Grades:

Class Outline:

I. What is the Mediterranean? (January 12th-January 22nd)

A. Definition of the region, its ecology and climate.
B. The economy, trade, and agriculture of the Mediterranean world.
C. The people of the Mediterranean, their languages and occupations

Reading assignments:

• Peregrine Horden and Nicholas Purcell, The Corrupting Sea: A Study of Mediterranean History (Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 2000), pp 9-49. (Moodle)
• John Pryor, Geography, Technology, and War: Studies in the Maritime History of the Mediterranean 649-1571 (Cambridge: 1992 [1988]), pp. 12-24. (Moodle)
• Ostia -- A Mediterranean Port (http://www.ostia-antica.org/med/med.htm)
• NASA map of the Mediterranean
  

Primary sources:

• License to Venice to trade with the Muslims, 1198
• Business partnership between a Jew and a Christian in Barcelona

Map assignment: Due January 22nd

II. Mediterranean religion and culture (January 26-February 5th)

A. Paganism
B. Judaism
C. Eastern mysticism
D. Christianity
E. Islam

Reading assignment:

• Norwich, The Middle Sea, pp. 1-86
• "Why Did Christianity Succeed?" From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians, Frontline April 1998, accessed at PBS online http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/why/legitimization.html

 Primary Sources

• Constantine's conversion
•  Augustine's conversion
• Conversion of the Russ
• Conversion of Clovis

Images:

• A Visual Tour through Late Antiquity  Site compiled by Steve Muhlberger,  Nipissing University.