Time and Location

M 3-6 PM

CBD 212

Description

No other term in the whole field of social studies is more ambiguous, yet  more potent, than ethnicity. Today, we speak of ethnicity as a mode of action and of representation, for the politicization of ethnic identities continues to be a defining characteristic of the early twenty-first century. Was ethnicity in the medieval past as embedded in socio-political relations as it is now? This course will focus upon the history of medieval ethnicities and, more specifically, of ethnic formation (ethnogenesis). Many modern European nations trace their origins to the Middle Ages and the medieval history plays an important role in the construction of the national image. Through reading and discussion of ethnic identity, ethno-centrism, and ethnogenesis, we will come to some understanding of ethnicity in the past, as a form of social and political mobilization.

The course has three objectives. The first is to introduce you to some of the major issues of medieval history: migration and ethnogenesis; medieval law; language and ethnic identity; kingdoms and communities; the archaeology of medieval communities. These issues should provide a broad understanding of important trends in medieval history which will enable you to formulate more specialized research projects during graduate work in European history. Such a broad understanding can also serve as the foundation for preparation in undergraduate teaching. The second objective is to present the continuing, often heated historiographic debates surrounding these issues. Students will read some “classic” texts, as well as more current literature, reflecting recent historical perspectives. The final objective will be to afford you an opportunity to develop and improve skills in bibliographic development and most important oral and written skills in the critical evaluation of historical texts.