East Central Europe in the Middle Ages

Time and Location

W 7:20-10:10 PM
Flint 013

Description

East Central Europe–the part of the continent located to the east of the river Elbe–was gradually incorporated into Christendom and the Latin civilization in a process that began in the tenth century and reached its climax with the integration, settlement process, and social transformations of the thirteenth century. Only a small part of this region had belonged to the Roman Empire, namely western Hungary and the adjacent area. Despite the absence of the administrative structures of the Roman provinces–cities, public infrastructure, territorial and ecclesiastical organization, and much more–the integration of the rest of East Central Europe with the world west of the river Elbe was remarkably rapid. Tremendous changes appeared in a matter of decades, fast enough that the actors involved in the transormations were able to perceive the impact they had. As a consequence, the historical layers which shaped these societies and their environments were both local (“native”) and new, resulting from the movement of peoples eastward across the Elbe. The formative historical roots of this region thus lie not in distant antiquity, but in the central centuries of the medieval era. This course will focus upon the history of this dramatic transformation, more specifically, upon the key elements of its implementation and effects taking place between ca. 1000 and ca. 1300. Through reading and discussion of such concepts as chiefdom, conversion, renovatio terrae, royal saints, and feudalism, we will hopefully come to some understanding of the experience of East Central Europe in the Middle Ages.

As this is a graduate level course, I assume that everyone enrolled has a basic familiarity with the resources available in the library and is willing to use foreign language sources when appropriate. I also assume that everyone knows the mechanics of researching and writing a scholarly paper. By this, I mean the proper use and acknowledgment of sources as well as the fundamentals of compositions, (English) grammar, and spelling.

The format of this course will be reading- and discussion-oriented. In lieu of written examinations, I will require a brief (3-5 page) essay on the readings each week, due in class on the day that they are to be discussed. You are also to complete a substantial research paper on a relevant topic, and present it in class at the end of the semester. Within the first month of the course, you must consult with me on the selection of topic and bibliography for your research paper. After we finish with the core set of required readings, I will expect you to locate and read sources on your own, then come to class prepared to discuss them. I have found this to be the most effective way to learn about a topic which is best examined through case studies.

All essays are worth 40 percent of your overall grade (3 percent for each one of them). The research paper is worth 40  percent of your overall grade. The presentation of your paper in the final colloquium is worth another 10 percent, and your class participation covers the remaining 10 percent.

In writing papers, be certain to give proper credit whenever you use words, phrases, ideas, arguments, and conclusions drawn from someone else’s work.  Failure to give credit by quoting and/or footnoting is plagiarism and is unacceptable. Please review the section on academic honesty below.

Required Text

  • Eric F�gedi. The Elef�nthy. The Hungarian Nobleman and His Kindred. Budapest: Central European University Press, 1998 (on two-hour reserve in Library West, also available as e-book).
  • Mikołaj Gładysz. The Forgotten Crusaders. Poland the Crusader Movement in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Century. Leiden: Brill, 2012 .
  • Piotr G�recki. A Local Society in Transition. The Henryk�w Book and Related Documents. Toronto, Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, 2007.
  • David Kalhous. Anatomy of a Duchy. The Political and Ecclesiastical Structures of Early Přemyslid Bohemia. Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2012.
  • G�bor Klaniczay. Holy Rulers and Blessed Princesses. Dynastic Cults in Medieval Central Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002 (on two-hour reserve in Library West).