| Unit name | The Medieval World: The British Isles |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HIST10064 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Parsons |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of History (Historical Studies) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
At the University of Bristol, we are proud of our chronologically and geographically wide-ranging curriculum. All History is improved through awareness of the bigger picture, whether that’s the deep roots of certain phenomena, or the global contexts in which historical problems can be identified and understood. Our Medieval World units allow students to choose the focus of their study, whether that be the British Isles or Europe, but through a common lecture series all students will emerge better equipped to bring chronological depth to the rest of their studies.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
In Year 1, we want to ensure that all our Single Honours students have a basic introduction to medieval, early modern, and modern histories. None of our units assume prior knowledge. You may wish to pursue medieval history into your summative years, which can be done through our specialist ‘Special Field’ and ‘Special Subject’ units and our Historical Period Optional Panel. By the time you get to your final year, you will find that thematic approaches to the study of the past see medieval history integrated as a matter of course.
An overview of content:
This unit will introduce students to the vibrant history and culture of Western Europe in the Middle Ages. It will compare changes and continuities in different parts of Europe and thus consider the extent to which a distinct European community and sense of identity emerged. It will also explore the history of medieval Europe from global perspectives, looking at connections with non-European peoples and polities, and examining what happened when very different cultures encountered one other. Chronologically, the focus will be on the eleventh to fourteenth centuries, which saw changes of profound significance for the long-term development of Europe and the wider world. These changes continue to shape the landscape, institutions, and culture of our world today. Lectures and seminars explore a range of topics including race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, environment, political systems, religious beliefs and practices, and material culture, all helping us to figure out how medieval people understood themselves, their world, and their place within it.
How you will be different as a result of taking this unit
You will emerge from this unit with a much deeper appreciation of the value of the long historical context, seeing patterns, trends and processes which only reveal themselves over the course of hundreds or even thousands of years. Regardless of whether you go on specialise in medieval history in the future, your perspectives and arguments will be richer and more persuasive for having grappled with a wide panorama of the past.
Learning Outcomes
Classes will involve a combination of long- and short-form lectures, class discussion, investigative activities, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback.
This unit shares a common lecture series with the other 'Medieval World' unit, but follows a distinct series of seminars.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Essay, 1500 words (30%) [ILOs 1-4].
Exam, 2 hours (60%) [ILOs 1-4].
Contribution Mark (10%) [ILO 5].
The assessment on this unit is balanced in such a way as to allow you to develop different skills which you can take forward into the rest of your studies. Where the essay allows you to focus on a particular theme or issue and develop your ability to work with key primary sources and documents, the examination will prompt you, through comparison, contrast, and synthesis, to make connections between different parts of the unit and consider the significance of the whole. A contribution mark recognises and rewards the positive contributions students make when they attend seminars and participate in collaborative and social learning.
When assessment does not go to plan:
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. HIST10064).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
