Module manager: Professor Emilia Jamroziak
Email: E.M.Jamroziak@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The module provides a detailed survey, and an opportunity to study in depth, the most important manifestations of popular beliefs in medieval Europe and their changes between the year 1000 and the onset of the Reformation. It is a large and flourishing area of historical research with new works and interpretations appearing every year. The main focus of the module is placed on non-elite culture and examines the subject through both written and non-written (visual, material, archaeological) sources. The change over five centuries is visible particularly in the transformation of social practice and rituals in European society. Although we are not going to study theological works produced within the context of the medieval Church, familiarity with the key doctrines and practices of the Church is important to understand the relationship between ‘elite’ and ‘popular’. The module is organised thematically, not chronologically, but change over time is analysed in reference to each topic. <p>Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.</p>
On completion of this module, you will be familiar with a variety of expressions of popular beliefs and their significance for the wider historical process. You will be able to consider and apply various methodologies and approaches to the primary sources and confidently engage with a complex secondary literature.
Besides developing skills involved in studying historical sources, the seminars are intended to provide you with an opportunity to develop further the skills needed for such tasks as working in groups and chairing meetings and to participate constructively in collective discussions.
The module concentrates on the nature of popular beliefs and the change they underwent between 1000 and circa 1500.
- It draws on primary sources from continental Europe and the British Isles as well as extensive secondary literature.
- It focuses on major themes such as the survival (or not) of paganism, religious beliefs and practices at a local level (parish, guilds, devotion to saints, pilgrimages), beliefs and practices associated with death and the afterlife, magic, witchcraft, heresy and possibilities of unbelief or atheism in a medieval context.
- It also considers the effects of social change (particularly those associated with the Black Death, urbanisation, and growth of literacy) on these practices. What distinguishes 'popular' from 'elite' in terms of religious and cultural beliefs and practices is an important question that is addressed throughout this module.
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. High-level skills in oral and written communication of complex ideas.
and active engagement with alternative cultural contexts.
2. Independence of mind and self-discipline and self-direction to work effectively under own initiative.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
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 their peers, tutors and published sources.
6. Empathy and active engagement with alternative cultural contexts.
Skills in interpretation and analysis of complex documentary-based material.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Seminar | 20 | 2 | 40 |
| Tutorial | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Private study hours | 355.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 44.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
Essay
You will be given the option of developing their own essay questions from themes set by the module tutor and in consultation with the module tutor or can select an essay question from a list of options provided by the module tutor. You will receive a one-to-one meeting with the module tutor during the semester (around Week 9/10), in which you will deliver a short presentation on the essay plan and arguments on which you will receive oral feedback from the module tutor.
Presentation
The focus of the presentation should be on a theme identified by the module tutor, with its focus and research questions developed in discussion between you and module tutor. You will receive a one-to-one meeting with the module tutor during the semester, in which you will outline the scope of the presentation and the research questions it tackles on which you will receive oral feedback from the module tutor.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay or Dissertation | Essay | 50 |
| Presentation | Presentation | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 28/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team