Spring 2013
Portland State University
Linked material (c) John S. Ott
 

HST 407s/507s : The Medieval Church and Reform, 950-1150

(T/TH, 2:00-3:50, CH 494)



 
Course description
 
This seminar continues our analysis, begun in HST 405/505, of the pivotal period in European history of 900-1150 C.E., a time when the medieval papacy experienced rapid institutional growth, expanding social and religious influence, and sharp resistance to its authority.  This term focuses on the post-Gregorian period of ca. 1085-1150, and examines: the longer-term implications of the so-called Investiture Controversy for the stature, authority, and institutional development of the papacy and imperial monarchy; the growth and diversification of reform initiatives within the church and lay society; the rise of the schools and transformation of intellectual life; and emergence of dissent and its confrontation and control.
 
Course structure
 
The central focus of this class is the completion of an 18/25-page research paper.  Building on historiographical research commenced last term, students will work to craft a primary-source based, analytical paper that seeks to answer a closely-defined and well thought-out historical question.  Emphasis this term will, in addition to continuing course content, be placed on the successful completion of this project and its formal presentation, as part of a research group, to the class.
 
Course materials
 
Students are required to obtain the following books, either from the PSU Bookstore or elsewhere.  Also note that the course will make use of materials found in various full-text databases subscribed to by PSU, as well as materials on E-reserve at Millar.
Student evaluation
 
Students will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
Plagiarism policy
 
Plagiarism, intentional or unintentional, is an intolerable infraction in any setting where ideas are exchanged and discussed.  I routinely uncover plagiarized papers each year.  Detecting plagiarism is extremely easy.  Papers that can be shown to have been plagiarized will automatically receive an “F” grade.  Students will be required to resubmit their papers, and will be deducted in their grade an amount appropriate to the late paper policy given in the assignment guidelines.  Repeated or particularly egregious offenses may be the cause for additional action.  Remember, ignorance is no excuse.  If you are unsure what constitutes plagiarism, you may test yourself at this web site maintained by Indiana University: http://www.indiana.edu/~istd/plagiarism_test.html.  I consider as plagiarism work submitted for other courses and turned into me as original, and will ask students to submit new, original work.

Students with disabilities
 
Students with disabilities who need additional consideration for the timely completion of any of the course requirements should speak to the instructor at the beginning of the term, and must be registered with PSU’s Disability Resource Center (drc@pdx.edu).
 
E-mail policy
 
But please bear in mind the following when contacting me via e-mail:
- I consider 48-72 hours to be a reasonable period in which to respond to inquiries.  I am usually much faster than this, but not always.
- I will not, in general, respond to student e-mails received after 5:00 p.m. until the following day(s), nor will I generally respond to student e-mail sent after 5:00 on Friday until Monday morning.  Please plan accordingly.
- Please remember to identify yourself and state your query as clearly as possible.
- I will not fill in students who miss class on the details of a particular lecture or discussion.  Please seek that information from your fellow students.



Syllabus
 
T (4/2) – (Re-)introduction. The road ahead.
 
            To do: Schedule check-in meeting with Instructor by 4/11
 
TH (4/4) – Visit to Millar Library Special Collections (meet in Room 160) for presentation of medieval manuscripts by Cris Paschild.  Please meet at Library at 2:00.

Reading
:
 
****************
I.  Gregory VII, Urban II, and beyond – the fortunes of papacy and empire to 1122
 
T (4/9) – The Church at/and War: reform and crusading (primary sources)
 
Readings:
TH (4/11) – The quandary and criticisms of ecclesiastical warfare
 
Readings:
T (4/16) – Consequences of failure: Gregory VII and Henry IV in hindsight
 
Readings:
TH (4/18) – Pope Paschal II (1099-1118) and Emperor Henry V (1106-1125) (primary sources)
 
Readings:
T (4/23) – Finance and corruption
 
Readings:
 
******************
II. Reform, renewal, and the transformation of medieval Christendom
 
TH (4/25) – Ideas and forces of reform
 
Readings:
T (4/30) – Pathways, experimentation, conflict
 
Readings:
 
TH (5/2) – The laity and reform
 
Reading:
 
T (5/7) – The laity and reform (cont’d.)
 
Reading:
 
TH (5/9) – NO CLASS. INSTRUCTOR AT CONFERENCE
 
T (5/14) – Theology and Liturgy
 
Readings:
TH (5/16) – Schools and masters
 
Readings:
T (5/21) – Plus ça change?
 
Reading:
 
TH (5/23) – NO CLASS SCHEDULED; MEETINGS WITH INSTRUCTOR AS NEEDED
 
T (5/28) – Discipline and punishment
 
Reading:

DRAFT OF RESEARCH PAPER DUE; DISTRIBUTE 1 COPY EA. TO GROUP MEMBERS AND 1 TO INSTRUCTOR

 
TH (5/30) – Final considerations
 
Readings:
 
T (6/4) – CLASS PRESENTATIONS
 
TH (6/6) – CLASS PRESENTATIONS (CONT’D.)
 
T (6/11) – ALL RESEARCH PAPERS DUE, BY 5:00, IN MY OFFICE