Dr. Dana Wessell Lightfoot
dana.wesselllightfoot@unbc.ca
McCaffray Hall/Admin 3010
Student Hours: Mon/Weds 11:30-12:30.
Course Description
This course focuses on the examination of society, culture, and politics in medieval Europe from 400-1500. We’ll start by looking at the collapse of the Roman Empire and then turn to consider the three civilizations that rose in its place: Byzantium, the Islamic World, and the medieval West. Considering these three civilizations comparatively is a central component of this course, although our main focus will be on Western Europe.
Course Objectives
- An understanding of the key events, people, and themes of medieval European history.
- An introduction to some of the core debates amongst scholars of medieval Europe, including the existence of feudalism, race and racism, religiosity/corruption in the medieval Catholic church.
- To consider how the European Middle Ages is presented in modern pop culture and what that representation tells us about broader society’s understanding of this period.
- Research and writing skills related to the study of a specific topic in medieval European history.