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HI354H: LAW, SEX, AND MARRIAGE IN THE MIDDLE AGES (2017-2018)

Last modified: 11 Jun 2020 08:59


Course Overview

This course investigates how the ideal of a lifelong monogamous marriage became the norm in Western Europe. It examines relevant texts from the period and introduces students to a wide range of sources and approaches to the past. The course consists in a mixture of seminars and lectures and will include both broad overviews and case studies of individual marriages in the Middle Ages. The course is divided into three major sections. The first section discusses the historicity of Western attitudes to marriage and the significance of the institution for academic study. The second section considers medieval attitudes to sex, marriage and the family. The third section investigates how secular and ecclesiastical forces interacted in the ultimately successful attempt to make marriage a matter between individuals rather than families.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Frederik Pedersen

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • HI304H Law, Sex and Marriage in the Middle Ages (Studied)
  • HI3068 Law, Sex, Marriage and the Family in the Middle Ages (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course investigates how the ideal of a lifelong monogamous marriage became the norm in Western Europe. It examines relevant texts from the period and introduces students to a wide range of sources and approaches to the past. The course consists in a mixture of seminars and lectures and will include both broad overviews and case studies of individual marriages in the Middle Ages. The course is divided into three major sections. The first section discusses the historicity of Western attitudes to marriage and the significance of the institution for academic study. The second section considers medieval attitudes to sex, marriage and the family. The third section investigates how secular and ecclesiastical forces interacted in the ultimately successful attempt to make marriage a matter between individuals rather than families.

Further Information & Notes

This module is available to students on all non history degree programmes as a discipline breadth course for the enhanced study requirement. However, the admission of students with a non history degree intention will be at the discretion of the School of Divinity History and Philosophy.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt

  • 3-hour examination (60%)
  • 3500-word essay (40%)

Resit

  • 3-hour examination (60%)
  • 3500-word essay (40%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

Formative assessment will be an integral part of the seminars and presentations given by the students. Summative assessment will be provided in writing and if desired through individual discussions of submitted written work.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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