UCL - History and Society of Byzantium and Christian East II

[GLOR2522]

[30h] 5 credits

This two-yearly course is taught in 2008-2009, 2010-2011,...

Teacher(s):

Language: French

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

By the end of the course the student must have acquired : - a deepened knowledge of the history of Byzantium and the Christian East; - an elementary knowledge of the scientific approach of modern studies of historical subjects ;
- practical skill in using the principal tools used for historical subjects : encyclopaedias, dictionaries, monographs, articles, acts of colloquia, online resources; - skill in conducting personal research on special subjects in the field of Byzantium or the Christian East; - skill in being able to make an oral presentation of the results of a modest research project in a specific aspect of history; - skill in communication, knowing how to participate actively in the discussion of a pertinent subject ;
- the capacity to write an essay of modest size on a historical aspect of Byzantium or the Christian communities of the East, including observations made by their tutors and colleagues.

Main themes

This course concentrates on the principal historical periods of the Byzantine Empire and the Christian communities of the Near and Middle East. The periods are presented in the course of giving a deep analysis of the most important sources and activities pertaining to the subject. The students are supposed to read monographs and modern articles (French, English, or, if necessary, in other languages) and to accept training in scientific research. Various subjects are taken up (for example the Empire of Justinian, the origin and formation of Christian communities in the East, the Patriarch of Antioch, the Mission in Asia, the Christian East under the Crusades, the relation of Eastern Christians with Rome, etc.).

Content and teaching methods

This course presents scientific tools (lexica, monographs, journals, acts of colloquia, etc.) related to the history of Byzantium and the Christian East. It calls for a critical analysis of modern studies according to a subject-based approach. Students are expected to present and to discuss in class the results of their own researches, as well as to write up a synthesis of them.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisites : to have followed one or other of the courses on Byzantium, the Christian East, the history of antiquity, the history of the Churches, or some similar course.
Assessment : continuous assessment, based on oral presentations, participation in discussions and an essay (Christian East), or a final oral examination (Byzantine section).
Support : sources in translation, photocopied texts, documents presented.