HST 317 - European Middle Ages

4 credits
Investigates Europe from the decline of the Roman Empire to the rise of the Renaissance in Italy. The ancient Roman Empire fragmented into three successor civilizations; the Byzantine Empire, the Islamic World, and medieval Christendom. This course investigates how this momentous transformation occurred, and examines such topics as monasticism and saints cults, Byzantine civilization, the rise of Islam, the foundation of early medieval Germanic and Slavic kingdoms, changes in family and social hierarchies, relations between church and state, feudalism, economy and trade, the Vikings, the Crusades, growth of cities and revival of trade, religious reformers and heretics, the foundation of universities and the rediscovery of Aristotle, the persecution of Jews and other minorities, and the Black Death. Grading option designated on a CRN basis each term. Students should consult current term schedule. Restricted to Junior standing and above. Prerequisite(s): HST 110 , HST 111 .