Prof. John S. Ott
Department of History
Portland State University
HST 454/554: Saints and Sainthood in Medieval Europe
ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES : INTERPRETIVE ESSAY #2
Due Wednesday, December 6, by 5:00 (175 points)
General guidelines
(1) The essay should be around 5 pp., typed, and have a title and numbered pages. Please double-space the essay, use 12-point font, and employ 1-inch margins.
(2) In-text, parenthetical citations are fine, in the format of (author/title, page number). You do not need to append a bibliography. You may use a footnoting system (MLA or Chicago) if you prefer.
(3) Papers should make use of a minimum of five texts we've read this term, and may include primary and secondary sources in any combination, but must have at least three primary sources and one secondary source. You are welcome to use the textbook (Kleinberg), as well as any of the assigned readings between 11/2 and 11/30. You are welcome to use earlier sources, but only in addition to the five sources drawn from the second half of the class.
(4) No outside texts are required for this paper, and I would prefer that you not use them.
(5) Please remember to proofread your essay carefully before submitting it.
(6) See syllabus for class expectations on use of AI / plagiarism.
Late paper guidelines and point deductions
- The final day on which the paper may be submitted is Friday, December 8.
- Papers will receive an automatic -4 point deduction (on a scale of 100, which will then be pro-rated to 175 points) for each day they are late.
- You may submit your late paper as an attachment to an e-mail, but please bring the hard copy to me as soon as possible.
- Failure to use the required minimum number of sources (5) or to adhere to the citation guidelines will result in a -5 point deduction per infraction (on a scale of 100).
Assignment
Address one of the following prompts, using any combination of at least five texts to do so. Your paper should clearly state a thesis (have an argument) and support your argument through use of evidence.
PROMPT 1. The second half of the course has focused heavily on medieval mystics, especially women, and their experiences with and emulation of Christ -- as crucified and suffering man-God, as intercessor on behalf of earthly suffering, as model of humility and poverty, etc. What opportunities did this focus in religious devotion open up for the saints, whether personally, religiously, socially, politically, etc.? Be explicit about the approach(es) you choose, and why you've chosen it; you should think about the implications of your approach in terms of the advantages (and disadvantages) afforded by the methodologies of Gregory, Frland, and Langmuir that we began the term with.
PROMPT 2. In the later Middle Ages (post-1200 or so), what made the difference between an exceptionally (or perhaps dramatically) pious individual being dubbed a saint rather than a heretic or madperson? How was this boundary negotiated by the saintly figures we've examined. and where did their actions present problems of interpretation for their audiences and communities? How did their biographers present their extreme (sometimes antisocial) behaviors?
PROMPT 3. Choose your own adventure. You MUST have instructor approval of your topic. Failure to obtain instructor approval for this prompt will result in an automatic 20 point deduction.