Plague, Rebellion, and Heresy: England,1290-1520
HIST 387
Spring 2010 not offered
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| Crosslisting:
MDST 387 |
This seminar will examine England in the later Middle Ages as the country moved through catastrophic epidemic disease, near perpetual warfare, and the rise of popular piety and heresy. The course will examine famine and plague in the early 14th century and their effect on population, on standards of living, gender relations and women's possibilities, social identity, and social cohesion, including responses through law and crime. We shall consider the transformation of the fundamental social structure under these strains, including the Great Rebellion of 1381, and the subsequent disappearance of serfdom. At the same time, we shall examine the rise of popular politics and popular religion in the face of political instability and a general crisis of Catholicism. |
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Essential Capabilities:
None |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS HIST |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
Major Readings:
Readings will consist of a wide variety of secondary scholarly articles and primary documents. Base readings may include:
Rosemary Horrox and W. Mark Ormrod, A SOCIAL HISTORY OF LATER MEDIEVAL ENGLAND (Cambridge, 2006)
Jeremy P. Goldberg, MEDIEVAL ENGLAND: A SHORT HISTORY
William Langland, Piers Plowman
Christopher Dyer, STANDARDS OF LIVING IN THE LATER MIDDLE AGES
R. B. Dobson, THE PEASANT REBELLION OF 1381
Reserve readings and course packet.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Response papers; major research project leading to 15-20 page paper and one substantial class presentation. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course is an advanced seminar in history, particularly in European history that will allow students both to read in a complex and fascinating historiography, in some ways one of the richest fields of British history. It will allow the instructor to bring his research expertise to bear in the classroom and to guide students towards significant research topics, making strong use of Wesleyan¿s library resources. It will be suitable to majors and keen non-majors in the their last two years of study. It will also students to complete their departmental research requirement within the course. |
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