DESCRIPTION AND GOALS
In this course, we will discuss the cultures
of medieval Spain from late antiquity through the fifteenth century.
For most of this period, the Iberian peninsula was home to communities
of three religious faiths: Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Through
literature, historical and religious writing, and works of art and
architecture, we will examine the changing relationships among these
Iberian communities, and consider their place in larger religious and
cultural communities in Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Near East.
We will also consider how interpretations of medieval Spanish history
and culture have been shaped by modern efforts to explain Spain's role
in the New World and her decline from the status of a European imperial
power, and to forge a nation-state and national identity embracing the
diverse regions of the peninsula.
This course has several goals. First, you will
become familiar with the cultural history of the peoples of the Iberian
peninsula during the thousand-year period we call the Middle Ages, and
this will also offer a representative view of this important period in
the history of Europe and the Mediterranean. Secondly, this broad
survey will provide case studies of how individuals identify themselves
(or become identified) as members of larger communities by religion,
language, ethnicity, class, gender; how these religious, ethnic,
regional, and national identities are shaped by history and by the
telling of history; and how these communities interact. These questions
have a double relevance to today’s world. Comparatively, the case of
medieval Spain suggests insights into the relationships among different
communities in our own society, and how their identities have been
shaped by history. Historically, the heritage of medieval Spain
contributes to - and challenges - commonplace notions of European
identity, of historical relationships among Muslims, Christians, and
Jews, and of a broader divide between Islam and the
“West”.
REQUIRED TEXTS
1. Constable, Olivia R (ed). Medieval
Iberia: Readings from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish Sources.
Philadelphia: U Penn P, 1997.
2. Dodds, Jerrilynn. Architecture
and Ideology in Early Medieval Spain. University Park, Pa.: Penn
State UP, 1990.
3. Dodds, Jerrilynn D. The Art of
Medieval Spain: A.D. 500-1200. New Haven:Yale UP, 1993
4. Mann,Vivian B., Thomas F. Glick and Jerrilynn D. Dodds (eds.). Convivencia: Jews, Muslims, and Christians
in Medieval Spain. New York: George Braziller, 1992.
PREPARATION FOR CLASS
Come
prepared! Do the assigned readings before
the class for which they are listed, and be sure to read the class
notes posted on the course website. In class, listen actively, take
notes, ask questions, and participate intelligently. Bring the assigned texts, particularly
Constable’s Medieval
Iberia to class. Please turn off cell phones and beepers.
They are a distraction to the class. During the class period, the
course materials should be the sole focus of attention.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT
Attention and respect for the class are
preconditions for satisfactory performance. Your grade for the course
will be lowered by inattention, evident disregard for the assignments,
regular failure to bring class materials and any other evidence that
you are not constructively involved in the class or keeping up with the
course.
Your final grade will be based on the
following components:
- TESTS: Test no. 1 (15%), Final exam (20%).
Tests may include short and long identifications, and a variety of
essay questions based upon the readings, lectures, and class
discussions. Specific guidelines will be provided at least one week in
advance of each test.
- QUIZZES: 10%. Quizzes may be given regularly.
They will include material from that week’s assigned readings,
typically linked with notes and questions posted on the web. They may
also review important material presented in class the previous week.
- CLASS PARTICIPATION/E-MAIL
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS: 10%. My assessment of your class
participation will be based on your constructive
participation in class discussion. I will assess the quality of
your comments as evidence of an intelligent response to the assigned
readings and lectures, and their place in the course. I will also
assess your contribution to the discussion as a whole: that means a balanced and constructive effort,
showing consideration of other students, and a willingness to listen as
well as speak. I also encourage you to send questions or comments to me
by e-mail. I welcome questions and comments at any time, but questions
or comments on the week's readings submitted by SUNDAY night or questions and
followup comments on the lecture/discussion submitted by WEDNESDAY night will be assessed as
part of your class participation.
- BOOK
REVIEW: 15%. You
will write a 1500 word review (about
five double-spaced pages) of a book on medieval Spain selected
from a list of approved books that I will distribute - with guidelines
for the review - on January 24. The book review is due on FEBRUARY 14.
- TERM PAPER (including an
assessment of your progress and the final paper): 30%. You
will write a term paper of about 5000
words (about 15 double-spaced pages) on a topic of your choice,
relating to the history and culture of medieval Spain, and addressing
issues discussed in this course. You may, for example, research a
particular subject or try to answer a question; critically analyze
texts; compare works in different media; or assess different
interpretations of historical events, texts and/or works of art and
architecture. Fuller guidelines will be provided by January 31, and the
paper must be submitted in stages. A topic
and annotated bibliography are due by FEBRUARY 28; a draft is due by APRIL 4; and the final paper is due by APRIL 25. Throughout the term, I
encourage you to contact me (in person or by e-mail) to discuss the
paper.
Poor attendance will weaken your performance
on graded assignments. In addition, persistent patterns of absences,
late arrivals or early departures will result in a lowering of your
overall grade, regardless of the reasons for absences
SPECIAL NEEDS
If you anticipate missing any classes because
of a religious observance, you must notify me in writing (or by e-mail)
by JAN. 24. Students
with disabilities, who are registered with the Student Disability
Services, should consult with me as soon as possible - preferably by JAN. 24 - and provide the required
Accommodation Letter from the ASASD office. I will make appropriate
accommodations, provided that I am given timely, written notification
of your needs, consistent with the guidelines on the ASASD
website: http://www.asasd.usf.edu/Students.htm
PLAGIARISM
***ANY WRITTEN MATERIAL WHICH YOU
SUBMIT IN THIS COURSE MUST BE YOUR OWN WORK. THIS APPLIES TO ALL
ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDING YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LISTSERV. COPYING
MATERIAL FROM BOOKS, WEBSITES OR OTHER SOURCES WITHOUT CLEARLY AND
COMPLETELY IDENTIFYING THE SOURCE IS PLAGIARISM (SEE THE GUIDELINES IN
THE UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG). PLAGIARISM IS SUFFICIENT GROUNDS FOR
FAILING THE COURSE.***
MAKE-UP TESTS
I do not give make-up tests or re-schedule
tests in advance for any reason, other than those covered by the
university’s policies on religious observances and student
disabilities. Late submission of written assignments (i.e., the book
review and paper) will result in a lowering of your grade.