| Course | Instructor |
|---|---|
| Spring Quarter, 2008 | |
| MEDIEVAL STUDIES 120D: FAMILY AND SOCIETY IN THE MIDDLE AGES | Kevin Roddy |
| An Upper-Division Civilization and Culture Course (Writing) | Lecturer |
|
Discussion Section: 66771 F 10:00-10:50AM Olson 251 | |
| 207 Olson | 350 Voorhies (752-4541) |
| 10:30-11:50 TuTh | Office Hours: M 1:00-3:00; F 11:00-12:00 |
| Class Web Page (http://medieval.ucdavis.edu/120D/) | Instructor email (kproddy@ucdavis.edu) |
| Class Email (mst120d-s08@ucdavis.edu) | |
| Class Email Archive (http://listproc.ucdavis.edu/class/200803/mst120d-s08) |
Course Description
This course seeks to understand domestic life in the Middle East and Europe during the Middle Ages (approximately 325 to 1500 C.E.), particularly from the perspective of women: as marriageable daughters, as mothers, as matriarchs, as sources of spiritual life, as de facto managers of the home and often familial estates, women exercised enormous influence over daily life.
Other subjects include examinations of the conditions of birth and death, health, civic and rural life, housing, nutrition, race, and social classes. The class will explore aspects of family life from the viewpoint of the Middle Ages, by relying on the recorded voices of men and women of the medieval period, on images found in art and craft, and on recent archeological data. The writing assignments are constructed so that students will be able to emulate medieval manuals on social behavior, manners, and familial obligations.
Course Goals
The goal of the class is to immerse students in the Middle Ages, so that students might be able to understand and appreciate the period in all of its cultural aspects, especially those centered on the home, the community, and the geographical environment.
Texts
Women's Lives in Medieval Europe: A Sourcebook. Ed. Emily Amt. (Routledge)
Paston Letters: A Selection in Modern Spelling. Ed. Norman Davis. (Oxford).
Calendar
April 1 Introduction: The Idea of Family and Society
April 3 Geography and Destiny
Reading: The Middle East and Roman Empire
April 8 Cultural Backgrounds: Judaism and Christianity
Reading: Women's Lives in Medieval Europe (pp. 13-23)
April 10 Cultural Backgrounds: Rome
Reading: Women's Lives in Medieval Europe (pp. 23-35)
Reading: Augustine's Monica
April 15 Germanic Custom and Feudal Law
Reading: Women's Lives in Medieval Europe (pp. 36-78)
April 17 Marriage, Health, and Safety
Reading: Women's Lives in Medieval Europe (pp. 79-118)
April 22 The Noble Life, I
Reading: Women's Lives in Medieval Europe (pp. 119-149)
April 24 The Noble Life, II
Reading: Women's Lives in Medieval Europe (pp. 150-176)
April 29 The Working Life
Reading: Women's Lives in Medieval Europe (pp. 177-215)
May 1 The Religious Life, I
Reading: Women's Lives in Medieval Europe (pp. 217-245)
May 6 The Religious Life, II
Reading: Women's Lives in Medieval Europe (pp. 245-276)
May 8 Outsiders
Reading: Women's Lives in Medieval Europe (pp. 277-313)
May 13 Paston Letters: Letters 1-23
Reading: Geography of Norfolk
Reading: Paston Letters, pp. 1-43
May 15 Paston Letters: Letters 24-43
Reading: Paston Letters, pp. 44-86
May 20 Paston Letters: Letters 44-64
Reading: Paston Letters, pp. 86-130
May 22 Paston Letters: Letters 65-82
Reading: Paston Letters, pp. 131-174
May 27 Paston Letters: Letters 83-105
Reading: Paston Letters, pp. 174-215
May 29 Paston Letters: Letters 106-142
Reading: Paston Letters, pp. 216-260
June 3 Conclusion
June 5 Evaluation, Discussion of the Final
June 7 Final: 3:30-5:30 PM
Final
The final will consist of an analysis of a text about family and society from the late Middle Ages.
Discussion Schedule
Papers
Students in this class will be
responsible for three written projects modeled on the last reading
in the Women's Lives in Medieval Europe (pp. 317-330), only in
this case it will be a series of chapters from various manuals.
Each section will be about a thousand words each (three pages).
As the writer, you have the
persona of John Paston I, writing a Manual for his two sons,
John II and John III, in the early 1460's: the exact time and place of the
treatise will be one of your choosing.
The three sections will follow the thematic
sequence of the course:
Assignment I: Manual for a Young Heir: Material Responsibilities
Assignment II: Manual for a Young Heir: The Duties of Religion
Assignment III: Manual for a Young Heir: The Rules of Social Behavior
The due dates will be:
Naturally, all of these exercises will be supported by both primary and secondary research material, the latter derived from such sources as the Dictionary of the Middle Ages in the Humanities/Social Sciences References section of the Main Library. In addition to the library, primary materials can be found at the various sites available at the Medieval Studies Web Page. It is strongly recommended that you bring rough drafts to office hours or submit them electronically for comments and suggestions. Any factual material must be supported by a reference, even if it arises from lectures, office hours, or the texts. Papers without notes and bibliographies will be returned, with some penalty. Late submissions are accepted, though again with a penalty attached.
Participation
The degree of participation depends, most importantly, on completing the reading assignments, which are extensive (often thirty pages per class) and occasionally difficult. Students are encouraged to ask questions in class or discussion; or, if they choose, to make appointments during office hours. Participation is not a matter of dominating class or section discussion, but rather contributing an insight, or, if you're confused, describing the nature of the confusion. I do take roll, because your presence is important to your learning; that presence in and of itself does not constitute participation, however. Missed discussions, for whatever reason, must be made up in office hours, or by appointment.
Graded Work, and Relative Weight
I will determine grades on the following basis:
The sample paper will be handed out in the first lecture.