History/Medieval Studies 303

Syllabus 

Readings: 
 Book List 
 Iconoclasm
 Discussion Topics

Chronologies: 
 Imperial Crisis 
 Later Roman Emperors, 306-395 
 Fall of Western Empire 
 Age of Justinian 
 Islamic Caliphs 
 Byzantine Dark Age 
 Triumph of Christianity 
 Macedonian Resurgence 
 Crusades 
 Restoration and Ottoman Advance 

Handouts: 
 Population
 Finances under Justinian
 Byzantium c.850A.D.

Currency charts: 
   Diocletian and Constantine 
   Justinian and Heraclius 
   Isaurian, Amorian, and Macedonian Ages 
   Comnenian and Palaeogian Ages 

Links

REQUIRED BOOKS: 

Brown, P., Authority and the Sacred 
Brown, P., The Making of Late Antiquity 
Anna Comnena, The Alexiad 
Jones, A. H. M., Constantine and the Conversion of Europe 
Moorhead, J., Justinian 
Procopius, The Secret History 
Michael Psellus, Fourteen Byzantine Emperors 
Vasiliev, A. A., History of the Byzantine Empire, 2 vols. 
Villehardouin and Joinville, Chronicles of the Crusades

The FINAL GRADE is based on a midterm examination, two short historical essays, and a final examination, each of which counts one-third (1/3) towards the final grade.  The midterm examination will be held on MONDAY MARCH 9, 1998.  The final examination will be held on FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1998.  The final examination will cover ONLY the second half of the course, i.e. the period from the accession of Heraclius (610-641). 

REPORTS AND DISCUSSION SESSIONS.  Each student is required to select two topics from the four listed on the syllabus under “Reports and Discussion.”  Students should select one topic out of the first two sessions (before the midterm), and one out of the second two sessions (after the midterm).  Approximately 25% of the class for each of these sessions will present their essays in class on the appropriate day.  The papers are essays based on the assigned readings and lectures (5 pages) rather than research papers.  For each of the four topics, memos will be issued explaining the readings and questions.  Each student writing a paper will choose a PRO or CON position on each topic.  The topics are as follows: The Late Roman Monarchy, The Cost of Recovery, Imperial Decline, and Byzantium Confronts the West, scheduled respectively on FRIDAY, February 13, March 6, April 3, and April 24.  Students should follow the style sheet distributed with the first discussion topic, and those students who need improvement in their writing should purchase W. Strunk Jr. and F. White, Elements of Style (third edition). 

 SPECIAL LECTURE.  Class on Wednesday, February 25, 1998, will be cancelled, and in its place a special lecture will be scheduled in mid-March entitled “The Emperor, the Coinage, and the Orthodox Faith” (time and place to be determined).