2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HIST2030 The Crusades and the Crusader States in the 12th Century

20 Credits Class Size: 48

Module manager: Professor Alan V Murray
Email: A.V.Murray@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module examines the genesis of the Crusades and their roots in the society of western Europe in the eleventh century, the political changes in the Middle East during this period, and the development of the ideology of Crusading up to c. 1200. The first three Crusades will be examined and the reasons for the success and failure of each, as well as the society of the Crusader states set up in the wake of the first Crusade: government, social structure, demography, economy, religion, treatment of subject peoples and external relations.

Objectives

By the end of the module, students should be able:
1. to analyse and understand one of the most significant episodes in the history of medieval society;
2. to show knowledge and understanding of the genesis, course and impact of the first three crusades;
3. to analyse the conflict and interaction of various distinct cultures and value systems;
4. to evaluate the intellectual consequences of ‘Holy War’;
5. to analyse the structures of colonial societies in the Middle Ages;
6. to develop an understanding of the use of original sources for medieval history.

Learning outcomes

1. High-level skills in oral and written communication of complex ideas.
2. Independence of mind and self-discipline and self-direction to work effectively under own initiative.
3. Ability to locate, handle and synthesize large amounts of information.
4. Capacity to employ analytical and problem-solving abilities.
5. Ability to engage constructively with the ideas of peers, tutors and published sources.
6. Empathy and active engagement with alternative cultural contexts.

Skills outcomes

Enhances Common Skills listed below:

- High-level skills in oral and written communication of complex ideas.
- Independence of mind and self-discipline and self-direction to work effectively under own initiative.
- Ability to locate, handle and synthesize large amounts of information.
- Capacity to employ analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to engage constructively with the ideas of their peers, tutors and published sources.
- Empathy and active engagement with alternative cultural contexts.

Syllabus

The module will examine the genesis of the Crusades and their roots in the society of Western Europe in the 11th century, the political changes in the Middle East during this period, and the origins and development of the ideology of Crusading up to c. 1200.

The course of the first three Crusades will be examined and the reasons for the success and failure of each, as well as the society of the Crusader states set up in the wake of the first Crusade: government, social structure, demography, economy, religion, treatment of subject peoples and external relations.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lecture 11 1 11
Tutorial 9 1 9
Private study hours 180
Total Contact hours 20
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Private study

- Researching, preparing, and writing 2 assignments (99)
- Undertaking set reading for each tutorial and self-directed reading around the topic (65 hours)
- Reflection on feedback (6 hours)
- Working with databases introduced in lectures (10)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

1 portfolio of 3 x 500 word source commentaries: students will have the opportunity to have formative feedback on one draft 500-word source commentary.

1 x 3000 word essay: students will have the opportunity to discuss an essay plan with the tutor in week 10 of the module.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Essay 3000 words 60
Source Analysis 3 x 500 word analyses of primary sources 40
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 10/18/2024

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team