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2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HIST3480 Emperor and Authority in Medieval Germany, 900-1273

20 creditsClass Size: 12

Module manager: Professor Graham Loud
Email: G.A.Loud@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

THIS MODULE IS LIKELY TO PRESENT DIFFICULTIES TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY STUDIED HISTORY AT HONOURS LEVEL.This module will examine the consolidation of royal authority in Germany and the creation of the medieval German 'Empire' (often anachronistically called 'the Holy Roman Empire') during the tenth century, the challenges which emerged to imperial rule both within the Reich and from external forces, from the late- eleventh century onwards, and the eventual collapse of effective rule within Germany during the thirteenth century. This culminated in the emergence of the electoral college by 1273, which institutionalised German rulership as a weak, elective monarchy. However, while taking a primarily political viewpoint, the module will attempt to understand the social forces which helped to create and then to undermine effective central authority, especially among the nobility, and will also examine the noble ethos and court culture of the period. There will be extensive use of primary sources, both in published translations and also unpublished translations by the module teacher.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- understand and assess a crucial aspect of medieval rulership and state formation;
- display a critical understanding of the political culture of the Middle Ages;
- understand the interplay of social and economic forces and political developments in this period;
- evaluate and assess critically original sources.

Syllabus

1. Introduction
2. Rise of Ottonian Kingship
3. The Ottonians and Empire
4. Salian Kingship
5. The Crisis of the late Eleventh Century
6. The Age of Frederick Barbarossa
7. The Rise of the Princes
8. The Decline of Imperial Authority
9. Nobles and knights
10. Courtly society and chivalric literature
11. The Drang nach Osten.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Seminar112.0022.00
Private study hours178.00
Total Contact hours22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Researching, preparing, and assignments;
Undertaking set reading;
Self-directed reading around the topic.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Class contributions;
Oral presentation;
Mid-term 2,000 word essay

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay4,000 words to be submitted by 12 noon Monday of revision week60.00
Essay2,000 words to be submitted by 12 noon Monday of teaching week 730.00
Oral PresentationClass paper10.00
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: 27/04/2016

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