Due: Monday Nov. 27 in class.
Please write a 4-6 page (typed, doublespaced) essay on one of the following topics.
1. Based upon your readings of the articles in Little and Rosenwein, and the primary sources assigned for Weeks 12 and 13, do you think "feudalism" is or is not a valid historiographical concept? Why or why not?
2. How should an early medieval king do his job properly? That is, what were the expectations governing royal behavior, and how did those expectations change over the centuries? You should answer this question by comparing two or three rulers who are treated at some length in our primary sources. Possibilities might include Augustus (based on reading Suetonius); Clovis; Charlemagne; Alfred the Great. Biographies of these kings should be your main sources, but you may also draw upon other primary texts we’ve read in class, such as law codes, letters, hagiographies.
3. What were the values of "heroic" or "tribal" society in the barbarian world? How, if at all, did the coming of Christianity change those values? Discuss with reference to specific medieval texts, e.g. Beowulf or Gregory of Tours.
4. Discuss the impact of the rise of Islam and the Arab conquests upon the Mediterranean world, based on readings assigned for Weeks 10 and 11. In what ways did the seventh-century Arab conquests differ from the Germanic invasions of the fifth century? What difference did religion make?
***Please note: each of the assignments given above REQUIRES you to make use of primary sources (medieval texts), and in some cases, articles in Little and Rosenwein. You may also refer to Collins or to my lectures, but it is NOT ACCEPTABLE to turn in a paper based solely on textbook and lectures.
Advice:
Below are some helpful web resources. I particularly encourage you to consult these if you have not done a college-level history paper before, or are worried about your grade. (All are courtesy of Paul Halsall, University of North Florida.) Of course, please feel free to consult either with me or with your TA, Keith Kendall, if you have any questions.
Getting Started: This link gives advice on brainstorming, researching, outlining. For this essay, there is no expectation that you use sources above and beyond the readings assigned to the class. If you choose to use outside materials, please cite them properly! If you use something from the Internet, please give me a full URL.
Style, Grammar, Footnoting etc.: some guidelines on basic mechanics of college history papers.
Confused about Grading? Another good online resource, a discussion of what distinguishes an "A" paper from a "B" or "C."