From Charlemagne to Game of Thrones: The Middle Ages Then and Now - MHIS207
The ‘medieval’ is everywhere in our ‘modern’ age, both in culture and in our institutions. The University and the Parliament are medieval institutional inventions, for example. Our popular culture is imbued with myths bequeathed by the Middle Ages, from Robin Hood to Jedi Knights. And yet, the term ‘medieval’ is hurled as an insult to anyone thought to be backwards or ignorant. Following Tarantino, brutal punishment can be defined as getting medieval.
This course will look at both the real Middle Ages, as a historical period, as well as its representations in our own culture. In particular, we will look at the political history of Latin Christendom, in order to understand the rise of kingdoms and the papacy during the Middle Ages. At the same time, students will encounter medievalism in our own time. We will match our discussion of the ‘real’ Middle Ages with awareness of the ‘fantasy’ Middle Ages in which our imaginations so often reside.
| Credit Points: | 3 |
| When Offered: | 2019 - Next offered in 2019 |
| Staff Contact(s): | Dr Clare Monagle |
| Prerequisites: |
12cp at 100 level or above or (3cp in HIST or MHIS or POL units) |
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| Assessed As: | Graded |
| Offered By: | Department of Modern History, Politics and International Relations Faculty of Arts |
Course structures, including unit offerings, are subject to change.
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