This course is an 4 week exploration of the Middle Ages in Europe.  This course is stand alone or students can begin with my Ancient Civilizations course and Classical World course, and then follow with my Renaissance course for a further chronological study of Western Civilization.

In this course, we will look at social, political, and economic life in the European Middle Ages through the early Renaissance.  In class, we will actively discuss and evaluate primary sources related to the time period.  I love to teach students to "do" history, so we will discuss how to evaluate primary documents and then practice these skills in the context of the class discussion.  

Students will be offered primary document reading outside of class, as well as writing assignments related to the topic.  All texts will be provided for the students.

Week 1--The beginnings of the Middle Ages
Week 2--Society and Economics of the Middle Ages/feudalism and manorialism
Week 3--Politics and worldview of the Middle Ages
Week 4--The decline of the Middle Ages