2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HIST3290 Popular Belief in the Medieval West 1000-c.1500

40 creditsClass Size: 16

Module manager: Professor Emilia Jamroziak
Email: E.M.Jamroziak@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module provides a detailed survey, and an opportunity to study in depth, the most important manifestations of popular beliefs in medieval Europe and their changes between the year 1000 and the onset of the Reformation. It is a large and flourishing area of historical research with new works and interpretations appearing every year.The main focus of the module is placed on non-elite culture and examines the subject through both written and non-written (visual, material, archaeological) sources. The change over five centuries is visible particularly in the transformation of social practice and rituals in European society. Although we are not going to study theological works produced within the context of the medieval Church, familiarity with the key doctrines and practices of the Church is important to understand the relationship between ‘elite’ and ‘popular’. The module is organised thematically, not chronologically, but change over time is analysed in reference to each topic.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be familiar with a variety of expressions of popular beliefs and their significance for the wider historical process. They will be able to consider and apply various methodologies and approaches to the primary sources and confidently engage with a complex secondary literature.

Besides developing skills involved in studying historical sources, the seminars are intended to provide an opportunity to develop further the skills needed for such tasks as working in groups and chairing meetings and to participate constructively in collective discussions.

Learning outcomes
1. High-level skills in oral and written communication of complex ideas.
and active engagement with alternative cultural contexts.
2. Independence of mind and self-discipline and self-direction to work effectively under own initiative.
3. Ability to locate, handle and synthesize large amounts of information
4. Capacity to employ analytical and problem-solving abilities.
5. Ability to engage constructively with the ideas of their peers, tutors and published sources.
6. Empathy and active engagement with alternative cultural contexts.

Skills outcomes
Further enhances Common Skills listed below:
- High-level skills in oral and written communication of complex ideas.
- Independence of mind and self-discipline and self-direction to work effectively under own initiative.
- Ability to locate, handle and synthesize large amounts of information.
- Capacity to employ analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to engage constructively with the ideas of their peers, tutors and published sources.
- Empathy and active engagement with alternative cultural contexts.

Plus:
- Skills in interpretation and analysis of complex documentary-based material.

Syllabus

The module concentrates on the nature of popular beliefs and the change they underwent between 1000 and circa 1500.

- It draws on primary sources from continental Europe and the British Isles as well as an extensive secondary literature.
- It focuses on major themes such as the survival (or not) of paganism, religious beliefs and practices at a local level (parish, guilds, devotion to saints, pilgrimages), beliefs and practices associated with death and afterlife, magic, witchcraft, heresy and possibilities of un-belief or atheism in a medieval context.
- It also considers the effects of social change (particularly those associated with the Black Death, urbanisation, and growth of literacy) on these practices. What distinguishes 'popular' from 'elite' in terms of religious and cultural belief and practices is an important question that is addressed throughout this module.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	4	1.00	4.00
Seminar	22	2.00	44.00
Private study hours			352.00
Total Contact hours			48.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			400.00

Private study

Reading to prepare for seminars (120 hours)
Further self-directed reading (66 hours)
Preparing and researching [assignment 1, essay], including formative elements (80 hours)
Preparing and researching [assignment 2, presentation], including formative elements (80 hours)
Reflection on feedback (6 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

1 x 4000 word essay
Students are given the option of developing their own essay questions from themes set by the module tutor and in consultation with the module tutor or can select an essay question from a list of options provided by the module tutor. Students receive a 15-minute one-to-one meeting with the module tutor during the semester (around Week 9/10), in which students should do a short presentation (5 minutes) on the essay plan and arguments on which they can receive oral feedback from the module tutor.

1 x 20 minutes presentation
The focus of the presentation should be on a theme identified by the module tutor, with its focus and research questions developed in discussion between the student and module tutor. Students should receive a 15-minute one-to-one meeting with the module tutor during the semester (around Week 9/10), in which students would outline the scope of the presentation and the research questions it tackles on which they can receive oral feedback from the module tutor.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Presentation	20 min recorded presentation with powerpoint and 1000 words written element	50.00
Essay	4000 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

presentations are redone with 'an equivalent written exercise'

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 18/10/2024

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