11:15A-12:30P      TR     BH304

A portion of above section reserved for majors
Above section carries culture studies credit

When this course begins, about 1100, western European society had just
discovered the world outside its borders, which contained competitors
that were certainly its economic and cultural equals, and in some ways
were more developed.  Contacts with this world were carried out
alternately through peaceful means--trade and intellectual
exchange--as well as violent means--war and crusade.  At the end of
the period, western Europe, no longer rural, but now an urbanized,
economically complex, culturally sophisticated and highly politically
organized society, had colonized much of eastern Europe, was facing a
new challenge from the Ottoman Turks, and was beginning to move beyond
its own boundaries.  By 1500 it is possible to see the first contours
of a world system dominated by Europe.

In this course we will examine both Europe's internal development
between 1100 and roughly 1450 and its relations with its neighbors.
The emphasis will be on western European developments, but we will
talk about political, social, and economic developments within the
Islamic world and the Byzantine Empire.

Format and goals: The class will be mostly lecture.  However, we will
take time in class to discuss readings or to practice working with
primary sources.  While one goal of the course is for you to become
familiar with the history of the period, another is for you to develop
your ability to read and interpret primary sources and to practice
writing.

Requirements: three 4-5 page essays, one midterm exam, a paper (ca.
2500-3500 words), three map quizzes and a final examination.  H206,
B351, or a knowledge of the early middle ages is  strongly
recommended, but not required.