| Unit name | The Apocalypse in Culture and Society (1000-1500) |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HISTM0032 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Holdenried |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one | |
| School/department | Department of History (Historical Studies) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This option investigates how the description of the End of the World in the Book of Revelation (or Apocalypse) has been used in different political, social and religious contexts via the study of a specific medium, that of illustrated Apocalypse manuscripts which combine the biblical text of Revelation with both written commentary and images. The surviving manuscript material is substantial and comprises a particularly rich body of English and French manuscripts produced in the period c. 1250-1400. This Unit considers how and why these illustrated Apocalypses circulated during the medieval period. In so doing, it approaches history as an essentially interdisciplinary enterprise, drawing on insights from history, theology, literature and art. This unit is conceived to contribute to the aim of the MA to allow students to select their optional units from a wide-ranging choice of specialist courses which reflect the research strengths and broad research interests of the department. This unit explores illustrated Apocalypse manuscripts to provide a case study of a well defined and coherent subject area (medieval apocalypticism) but also permits students to engage with issues and questions that have broad applications in the study of medieval history, in particular the relationship between clerical and lay religious practices, gender and literacy. Students will be encouraged to explore a range of primary materials, such Apocalypse manuscripts, theological writings and the interior decoration of churches.
On successful completion of this unit, students should have gained a secure understanding of medieval beliefs in the End of the World, including their political influence, devotional context and artistic representation. They should also be aware of key issues concerning the nature of literacy, lay religion and gender in the medieval period. Further, students should have become proficient in the technical aspects of using medieval manuscripts for the purposes of writing intellectual and cultural history, that is, they should be able to use and understand bibliographical aids, catalogue descriptions, facsimilies, as well as the extant manuscripts themselves. In addition, students should have developed and practised a range of important research-related skills building on those introduced through the mandatory core units: the ability to locate problems and frame questions; the identification and testing of hypotheses; the presentation of arguments that are clear, structured and substantiated; the ability to build up bibliographies; the mobilisation of various types of primary evidence, and an understanding of the distinctive qualities of different sources; the ability to locate one’s arguments within current scholarly debates; awareness of different disciplinary approaches to problems; and the accurate use of scholarly apparatus and conventions in the presentation of written work. This unit will also serve as a possible foundation for further postgraduate work leading to a research degree.
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including group seminar-style discussion and self-directed exercises.
1 x 5,000 word essay
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. HISTM0032).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
