Medieval Studies is a field to which many different disciplines contribute; the aim of this module is to expose students to approaches to the medieval past from a range of disciplines (such as archaeology, history, language & literature, art history, etc), in order to enable them to discuss and compare various approaches, and critically assess their utility for the students' own research. In the first half of the semester, students will directly compare different disciplines' approaches and methods, using key texts and case studies on important themes in the study of the Middle Ages (such as gender, space, the life-cycle, social groups, the nature of power). In the second half of term, seminars will focus on contemporary critical and cultural theories and associated modes of analysis.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Analyse, compare and critically evaluate the different methods, foci and strengths of a range of disciplines concerned with the study of the Middle Ages
Analyse and appraise the implications of these different approaches and theories to the interpretation of primary source material
Critically evaluate examples of interdisciplinary work, and framing research questions informed by interdisciplinary approaches
Demonstrate ability to research and present key areas of detailed historical investigation
