HIST 3755 - Early Medieval Civilization
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43553,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Lauren Nofi
Email: lenofi@ysu.edu
Course Description
3755. Early Medieval Civilization. A political, economic, intellectual and cultural history which traces events and developments throughout Europe from the collapse of the Ancient World to the beginning of the High Middle Ages. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Early Medieval Britain, c.500-1000 | Rory Naismith | 978-1-108-44025-7 |
All other required materials will be provided through Blackboard.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Naismith, p.96-125 "Misnaming the Medieval," Mary Rambaran-Olm (link) "The Muddled Origins of the Word 'Viking'," Martyn Whittock (link) |
What's in a Name? | View Week 1 slideshow Discussion Posts Reading Quiz |
| 8/31 | Naismith, p.147-162 Campbell, p. 8-19 (PDF) Vortigern in Crossley-Holland, p. 37 (PDF) Bede, p.62-64 (PDF) Gildas, Amt, p.3-7 (PDF) |
Late Antiquity and Arrival | View Week 2 slideshow Discussion Posts Reading Quiz |
| 9/7 | Naismith, p.163-190 "The Ruin" in Crossley-Holland, p.59 (PDF) Excerpt of Beowulf (link) |
Kingdoms Rising | View Week 3 slideshow Discussion Posts Reading Quiz |
| 9/14 | Naismith, p.191-214 Charlemagne to Offa, Crossley-Holland, p.189-191 (PDF) Guest Lecture: Dr. Pauline Clarke on Offa's Dyke |
Vying for Supremacy | View Week 4 slideshow Discussion Posts Reading Quiz |
| 9/21 | Naismith, p.216-250 "Life of Alfred" Excerpts, Crossley-Holland, p. 213-217 (PDF) Alfred Treaty with Guthrum, Amt, p.29-30 (PDF) |
A New World? | View Week 5 slideshow Discussion Posts Reading Quiz |
| 9/28 | Naismith, p.273-300 Gregory, Amt, p.7-10 (PDF) Aidan and Oswald in Bede, p.150-153, 168-171) (PDF) Campbell, p.48-49 (PDF) |
Pagans and Christians | View Week 6 slideshow Discussion Posts Reading Quiz |
| 10/5 | Naismith, p.301-325 Campbell, p.80-81 (PDF) Lindisfarne Gospels (link) How to Make a Manuscript (video link) |
Monasticism and Manuscripts | View Week 7 slideshow Discussion Posts Reading Quiz |
| 10/12 | MIDTERM - no readings | MIDTERM | Exam Reflection |
| 10/19 | "Chaos and Conversion," Hadley (PDF) "Pagans and Christians in the Danelaw," Richards (PDF) |
...and More Pagans and Christians Guidelines for Final Project |
View Week 9 slideshow Discussion Posts Reading Quiz |
| 10/26 | Naismith, p.353-377 "Vikings in the British Isles: Placename Evidence," Fellow-Jensen (PDF) Placenames affixes wiki (link) |
Landscapes 1 | View Week 10 slideshow Discussion Posts Reading Quiz |
| 11/2 | Urban/Rural Settlements Excerpts from Hadley (PDF) "Settlement in England: Archaeological Evidence," Hall (PDF) Campbell, p.162-163 (PDF) |
Landscapes 2 | View Week 11 slideshow Discussion Posts Reading Quiz |
| 11/9 | Naismith, p.326-352 "Negotiating Masculinity in VA England," Hadley (PDF) Riddles Excerpt (PDF) |
Social Order Final Project Check-in 1 |
View Week 12 slideshow Discussion Posts Reading Quiz Outline, Mind-map, Organizer |
| 11/16 | Naismith, p.378-400 Campbell, p.62-63 (PDF) "The Wanderer," Crossley-Holland, p.50-53 (PDF) Guest Lecture: Paula Constantine |
Exchange | View Week 13 slideshow Discussion Posts Reading Quiz |
| 11/23 | "Cnut's Letter to the English People," Amt, p.62-65 (PDF) "Sermon of the Wolf," Crossley-Holland, p.294-299 (PDF) |
Uneasy Days Final Project Check-in 2 |
View Week 14 slideshow Discussion Posts Reading Quiz Bibliography Check |
| 11/30 | Naismith, p.421-429 Bayeux text, Amt, p.96-103 (PDF) The Norman Conquest (YouTube Playlist via BBC) |
Coming of the Normans | View Week 15 slideshow Discussion Posts Reading Quiz |
| 12/7 | Final Project - no readings | Final Project Course Evaluation |
Final Project YSU Course Evaluation |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.