History (HIST) 371

Overview

History 371: Early Medieval Europe, 400−1000, is a three-credit, senior-level course that surveys the most significant political, economic, social, intellectual, and religious events and trends in Europe from the collapse of the ancient Roman Empire in the 400s to about the year 1000. Historians have long debated whether this period was a dark age or the birth of Europe. To engage students with these and other historical questions, the course presents primary source readings from the period as well as current scholarly interpretations of the Early Middle Ages. Through researching a particular historical topic in detail, you will exercise the research, critical thinking, and writing skills you will need for success at university and beyond.

Outline

The online Study Guide contains the thirteen units listed below.

Unit 1: Introduction

Unit 2: The Late Roman Empire, 284−476

Unit 3: The Cultural and Religious Transformation of the Late Roman Empire

Unit 4: The Barbarian Kingdoms of the Early Middle Ages

Unit 5: The Byzantine Empire: East Rome Transformed

Unit 6: Islam: Sibling Civilization of Medieval Europe

Unit 7: Christianization of Early Medieval Europe

Unit 8: Early Medieval Economy and Society

Unit 9: The Carolingian Empire: Part I: The Rise of the Carolingian Franks

Unit 10: The Carolingian Empire: Part II: Reform, Renaissance, and Decline

Unit 11: The Vikings, Part I

Unit 12: The Vikings, Part II

Unit 13: The Lordship and Kingship at the End of the Early Middle Ages, c. 850−c.1000

Evaluation

Your final grade in History 371: Early Medieval Europe, 400−1000 will based on your performance on three written assignments, four online-marked  multiple-choice quizzes, and a three-hour invigilated final examination.

To receive credit for HIST 371, you must achieve a minimum of 50 per cent on the final examination and a minimum composite course grade of “D” (50 percent).

The chart below summarizes the course activities and the credit weight associated with each and shows the order in which you should complete them, because each builds on the other.

Quiz 1	Quiz 2	Assignment 1	Assignment 2	Quiz 3	Quiz 4	Assignment 3	Final Exam	Total
1.25%	1.25%	5%	20%	1.25%	1.25%	30%	40%	100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbooks

Other Materials

The print materials also include a Reading File.

Online Materials

The online materials include a Course Manual, Study Guide, Student Manual, and a Digital Reading Room.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.

Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the HIST 371 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on each of the three challenge components and a composite grade of at least “D” (50 percent).

Exam 1	Exam 2	Research Essay	Total
30%	30%	40%	100%

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form