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2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MEDV1080 Religion and Culture in the Western Middle Ages

20 creditsClass Size: 28

Module manager: Dr Melanie Brunner
Email: M.Brunner@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will introduce students, through interdisciplinary study, to various organisational and devotional features of medieval Christianity (c 1000 to 1500). It will challenge students to envision a developing relationship between the religious traditions and the cultural values of medieval Europe, as well as the mutual influence and interdependence of Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious traditions in the Middle Ages.On completion of this module, students will, through exposure to a variety of topics, have an understanding of how to critically engage with a culture that is separated from them by time. This module will also provide a useful foundation in medieval studies, which would then allow students to pursue various optional and compulsory modules in a number of departments.Teaching on the module consists of one workshop and one seminar per week. Workshops and seminars will examine topics such as: - the establishment of religious practice in medieval Judaism, Islam and Christianity; - religious culture(s) and devotional practices in comparison; - basic features of intellectual traditions and doctrinal development in the Western Church;- direct interaction and conflicts between the religions; - and the relationships among Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, whose interaction helped shape Western medieval traditions. Content note: in this module we are concerned with the key themes of interactions between members of different religions in the time period 1000-1500. To discuss these themes effectively it is necessary for us to read, look at and discuss material which may be challenging for you. These include references to religious stereotypes and inter-religious violence, as well as anti-religious and racist language. The module tutor can provide more information on this if required.

Objectives

To introduce students through interdisciplinary study to the various organisational and devotional features of medieval Christianity, from 500 to 1500; to challenge students to envision a developing relationship between the Christian tradition and the cultural values of Western medieval Europe.

On completion of this module, students will, through exposure to a variety of topics, have an understanding of how to critically engage with a culture which is separated from them by time.

Syllabus

The Religion & Culture module will cover:

Week 1: Introduction to Medieval Christianity
Week 2: Introduction to Medieval Judaism
Week 3: Introduction to Medieval Islam
Week 4: Pilgrimage and Travel
Week 5: Relics and the Cult of Saints
Week 6: Religious Poverty
Week 7: Blood Libel and Ritual Murder Accusations
Week 8: Interfaith Disputations and Polemics
Week 9: Holy War and Jihad
Week 10: Mission and Conversion
Week 11: Module summary.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- preparatory set reading for workshops and seminars;
- researching, preparing and writing two assessed essays;
- researching and answering three non-assessed interactive quizzes (VLE);
- self-directed reading around the subject.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Two assessed essays: one of 1,500 words, one of 2,500 words.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1,500 words to be submitted by 12.00pm on Monday of teaching week 7	30.00
Essay	2,500 words to be submitted in revision week	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/04/2023 14:41:15

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