Syllabus

Course Information

• Instructor: David M. Perry
• Class Times: M 7:00-10:00 P.M.
• Location: Holland Hall 514
• Office: 601B Holland Hall
• Office Phone : (507) 646-3534
• Office Hours : T and Th 9:30-10:30 A.M.(and by appt.)
• Email : perry@stolaf.edu
• URL : http://www.stolaf.edu/courses/2005sem2/History/310/

Course Description

In this course, we will explore both the history and historiography of the medieval urban environment, focusing on the period after 1100. We will begin with two general surveys of medieval European cities, then read a series of articles and books on specific topics, accompanied by selected primary sources. The last third of the class will offer you time to work on a major research project and prepare a twenty minute presentation on your work.

You will be required to work at a very high level. We will only be meeting once a week, and you will need to come to each and every class, and be extremely well-prepared for each class.

Required Texts

• Lilley - Urban Life in the Middle Ages
• Nicholas - Urban Europe
• Nirenberg - Communities of Violence
• Hanawalt - Growing Up in Medieval London
• Course Reader and other materials provided.

The Grade

• Final Paper - 40%
• Presentation - 10%
• 3 Book Reviews - 10% each
• Participation - 20%

Course Requirements and Assignments

• Final Paper - 40%
  • This paper will be at least 25 pages long, and address a subject of your choosing on the Middle Ages, pertaining (at least to some extent) to urban history. I will give you a longer handout on the paper on the first day of class.
  • Due on the day of the final exam (to be determined)
• Presentation - 10%
  • On the last two days , you will give an approximately 20 minute presentation on the subject of your final paper. It will need to be polished and strictly time-regulated. Expect 15 minutes of presentation and 5 minutes of questions.
• Book Reviews - 10% each
  • On any three of the seven days marked with an "R" from Feb. 27-April 24, write a 1000-word review on the piece. More information coming on the first days of class.
• Participation (and attendance) - 20%
• Participation is more than just showing up, but it starts with just showing up. You cannot participate if you are not here. We have only 12 class meetings. Missing ANY of them will result in penalties against your grade.
  • Excused absences - severe illness with doctor's note, death in the family, acts of God, or legitimate St. Olaf activities (i.e., choir tour, concert, sports event) will obviously not incur any direct penalty. However, if you aren't here, you cannot participate. Catching up will be very difficult. DON'T MISS CLASS!!!
• This class is a seminar. It only works if you do all the reading, think hard about the material, and come to class ready to discuss. You must be proactive in preparation, or our Monday nights will be long indeed. I will not bail you out if you have nothing to say, and it will adversly affect your grade.
• To that end, every THURSDAY, you will post three discussion questions on the reading to the MOODLE account (still being set up) for the course. After posting, read your colleagues' posts and feel free to comment on the board, either before or after the class.
• Also, you will need to lead a discussion (perhaps with a partner) once over the semester. Readings will be assigned on the first day of class. On that day, come prepared to start, and run, the conversation.
• When your peers give their presentations, you will be expected to listen attentively and ask questions.
• Your participation is a reasonably large percent of your grade. You will need to earn it. Take initiative. Do not expect to speak only when directly called upon and ace this section of the class.
• Finally, being late consistently may be counted as being absent. It will certainly lower your participation grade.

Course Policies

1. Follow the St. Olaf Code of Student Conduct. If you are unsure about whether something is plagiarism or cheating, ask first.
2. No assignment, under any circumstances, will be accepted by fax or email.
3. Students must bring readings to class on the day they are assigned. Print out online materials.
4. Assignments are due at the beginning of class. DO NOT EVER SKIP CLASS TO TRY AND FINISH YOUR PAPER. Printing errors and lost data are a fact of the computer age. If you wait until the last minute and encounter technical difficulties, your paper may still be counted as late.
5. For every day a paper or project is late, you lose one full grade per day (A to B, B to C, etc.). Do not test this system. Turn your work in on time. Stapled. With your name on every page. Typed. Double-spaced. In a reasonable font.

Calendar of readings and assignments

Please see the calendar page on the website for the most up to date assignments. Anything on that page should be considered the final word on what is due. Everything on the syllabus is subject to change.

• Feb 6 - Introduction. Organization of responsibilities.
• Feb 13 - Nicholas
• Feb 20 - Lilley
• Feb 27 - England (and family): Hanawalt (R-1)
• March 6 - Italy (and religion): Madden and Kempers (course packet) (R-2)
• March 13 - Margins: Nirenberg (R-3)
  • Provisional bibliography due
• March 20 - Expansion: Bartlett (R-4)
• March 25 - Spring Break
• April 3 - Focused studies: Reyerson (course packet) and Karras (course packet) (R-5)
  • April 3: Bibliography and outline due.
  • April 4-10: Individual Meetings
• April 10 - Community: Reynolds (R-6)
• April 17 - Easter Break
• April 24 - Catastrophe: Olea and Christakos (course packet). Jordan (all). (R-7)
• May 1 - No class. Work on Papers. Individual meetings.
• May 8 - Presentations
• May 15 - Presentations