Medieval History MSc/PgDip
The World of the Crusades: Critical Approaches to Medieval Sources HIST5155
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Humanities
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course provides students with a critical introduction to major themes in medieval history and historiography: Warfare, Gender, Medievalism, Religion, Social and Political Structures and Global History. It uses medieval crusades and 'holy war' as a focus for its discussion and investigations in classes on each theme.
Timetable
10x2 hour seminar sessions over 10 weeks as scheduled in MyCampus.
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
The standard assessments for this course are:
■ 1 x critical analysis of a primary source (1500 words) - 30%
■ 1 x critical analysis of a key article or monograph (1500 words) - 30%
■ 1 x poster and 10-minute presentation of poster at final session of course - 40%
If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:
■ There is no alternative to the analysis, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)
■ Recorded presentation; a written script of equivalent length; a PowerPoint with substantial notes; or a one-to-one presentation as alternative to presentation.
Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.
Course Aims
This course aims to:
■ Examine the variety of ways in which the concept of 'medieval history' is interpreted and formulated by professional historians working in the field;
■ Engage critically with a representative range of the major current and emerging debates in the field of medieval history;
■ Illustrate how to access primary historical sources with particular relevance and value for the medieval period;
■ Provide the practical and intellectual training essential for setting out on dissertation and doctoral research in the medieval period.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ Appraise how a medieval historian conducts historiographical, source-based and archival research;
■ Analyse the significance and value of a wide range of medieval primary sources;
■ Critically evaluate key historiography across a range of debates relevant to medieval history;
■ Reflect on and present their understanding of a major or emerging theme in medieval historical research