Workers’ Educational Association

The UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of adult learning

Course Outline

This course outline describes what will be covered in your course.

It also sets out what you should expect to learn. There will be an opportunity for course members to discuss the course content with the tutor.

Course Title / MEDIEVAL HISTORY: THE EMERGENCE OF EUROPE - 900 -1100
Course ID / C2416268 / Tutor / Vanessa King
Start date / 26th Sept 2012 / Day(s)/time(s) / Wednesdays 2pm – 4pm
No. of sessions / 10 / Hours per session / 2 / Fee
Concession / £75
Free on proof of income related benefit
Venue / St John’s United Reform Church, Lynwood Grove, Orpington BR6 0BD
Branch/Partner / WEA Petts Wood
Branch/Partner contact details / Penny Stewart
Publicity Description
We will look at the formation of England and the creation of the kingdoms of France and Germany. Other topics include: Muslim Spain, early pilgrimage, the rise of Normandy, and the First Crusade. Personalities include: Athelred the Unready, Emma of Normandy and El Cid.
Course Aims
What is the course for? What is its main purpose? E.g. to provide a brief introduction to the principles of garden design, with a view to applying them in your own garden.
·  To provide an illuminating introduction to major events in European history between 900 and 1100 CE
·  To introduce students to primary and secondary sources for the period 900 – 1100
·  To examine the myths and reality behind the reputations of figures such as Aethelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy
Main Topics Covered
We will begin by looking at the situation in Europe c.900 and then make a detailed study of the early history of European territories between 900 and 1100 CE. Topics will include: the formation of England under the House of Wessex; ‘Germany’ under the Ottonians; France and the rise of the Normans; Spain and Italy. We will end with a detailed study of the First Crusade culminating in the capture of Jerusalem in July 1099. The period was also witness to the activities of two extraordinary women - Emma of Normandy and Matilda of Tuscany – in what was very much a patriarchal society.
Pre-course preparation, reading, internet research etc.
Davies’s book is good for background reading. You might explore the online archive of the In Our Time radio programme hosted by Melvyn Bragg and listen to programmes covering the period.. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004y237. Contemporary sources can be found on the Medieval Sourcebook site at: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook.asp
TITLE / AUTHOR / PUBLISHER
A history of Medieval Europe (3rd edition onwards)
A Concise History of the Crusades / R.H.C. Davies
T F Madden / Longman
Rowman and Littlefield
Essential costs/materials
Materials: note-taking materials
Entry Requirements/Level
No previous knowledge is required but a good understanding of English is essential to benefit from this course.
This course is placed at history level 3 (roughly equivalent to A’level)
This course is aimed at anyone who has an enquiring mind and an interest in all things medieval!
Title of qualification to be gained (if any) / This is a non-accredited course. On 80% attendance learners can request a WEA Certificate of Achievement.
Awarding Body (if any) / N/A
Teaching and learning methods used
This is a non-accredited course and so there are no formal tests to complete. There will, however, be a range of informal quizzes and crosswords offered which are intended to reinforce your learning in a fun way. Individual research on topics within the period covered will be actively encouraged. At the end of the course your Learning Record will ask you to comment on how far you feel you have progressed.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course learners will be able to:
1. Account for the declining reputation of Aethelred the Unready
2 Describe how and why Domesday Book was compiled
3. Debate on the nature of early medieval queenship
4. Explain why the First Crusade was the only success story of the crusading era
How will you know you are learning?
This is a non-accredited course and so there are no formal tests to complete. There will, however, be a range of informal quizzes and crosswords offered which are intended to reinforce your learning in a fun way. Individual research on topics within the period covered will be actively encouraged. At the end of the course your Learning Record will ask you to comment on how far you feel you have progressed.
Suggested Further Study and Progression Routes
You should feel more confident to undertake further study, either with the WEA or with another provider. You might consider enrolling on other medieval courses offered by Vanessa. Details of further opportunities will be discussed in class.
Brief tutor profile
Vanessa has taught on all aspects of medieval history for the University of London since 1999. She has taught history and PTLLS training courses for the WEA since 2005 and published several articles relating to the church in the tenth and eleventh centuries - Vanessa is committed to teaching history with humour and vivacity.

If you would like more information about other WEA activities and courses please contact WEA London and Southern Regions’ Support Centre.

The WEA is committed to equality of opportunity and inclusive learning.

Services for Learners contains information about support and progression opportunities for learners and will be made available to you when you start your course. However, if you would like to receive a copy before the start of your course, please telephone the learner enquiry, freephone line on 0800 328 1060.

S:\WEAMISdata\LN\Outlines\C2416268_outline.doc

You can now enrol and pay online. Go to: www.wea.org.uk

WEA London and Southern Regions' Support Centre

57 Riverside 2, Sir Thomas Longley Road, Rochester, Kent ME2 4DP

Tel: 01634 298600 Fax: 01634 298601 email: london&

The Workers' Educational Association (WEA) is a charity registered in England and Wales (number 1112775) and in

Scotland (number SC039239) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 2806910).

Registered address: 4 Luke Street, London, EC2A 4XW. www.wea.org.uk