Cambridge, United Kingdom

Medieval Studies Summer Programme

when 2 August 2020 - 15 August 2020
language English
duration 2 weeks

This programme offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn from some of the finest British medievalists. Courses are offered in defined topics which encompass art, architecture, history, literature, religion, trade and health.

The academic programme
• Four courses (two per week)
• Series of plenary lecture: Death and Dying
• Evening talks
• Contact hours: up to 53 hours

Programme description
Course Directors encourage you to develop your own arguments about big historical issues while helping you to understand the complexities of the chosen field. The programme is challenging and is predicated on doing advance reading. It attracts current undergraduate and graduate students, and college and university teachers, however the interdisciplinary nature of the programme will appeal to anyone with an interest in medieval studies. Courses are led by subject specialists from the University and other British universities.

"An extraordinary diversity of courses and wealth of knowledge offered by leading medievalists: this programme is unbeatable!" Dr Rowena E Archer FRHistS, Programme Director, Medieval Studies Summer Programme

Courses

You choose one morning and one afternoon course per week, each has five sessions. The maximum class size is 25 participants. You can write one essay per course for evaluation.

Week 1 (2 – 8 August)
Group Ka: 11.00am - 12.30pm
Ka1 - William Marshal: England's most worthy knight Professor Nigel Saul
Ka2 - The Bayeux Tapestry and the Norman context Dr Philip Morgan
Ka3 - Medieval London Professor Caroline Barron
Ka4 - The Early Italian Renaissance Dr Oren Margolis

Group Na: 2.00pm - 3.30pm
Na1 - Magna Carta: history and meaning Professor Nigel Saul
Na2 - Gawain and the Green Knight Dr Philip Morgan
Na3 - The first English Bible: text and context Dr Elizabeth Solopova
Na4 - Monks, manuscripts and machines: the medieval sciences Dr Seb Falk

Week 2 (9 - 15 August 2020)
Group Kb: 11.00am - 12.30pm
Kb1 - France: the making of a kingdom, 987-1328 (Double course: to be taken with Nb1) Dr Rowena Archer
Kb2 - The English medieval parish church Dr Francis Woodman
Kb3 - Political subversion in the reign of Edward II Mr Richard Partington
Kb4 - The Wars of the Roses: a social perspective Dr Eliza Hartrich
Group Nb: 2.00pm - 3.30pm
Nb1 - France: the making of a kingdom, 987-1328 (Double course: to be taken with Kb1) Dr Rowena Archer
Nb2 - ‘The Father of English poetry’: reading Geoffrey Chaucer Dr Lotte Reinbold
Nb3 - Sutton Hoo and the golden age of early England Dr Sam Newton
Nb4 - The Crusades Dr Seb Falk

Plenary lectures
Death and Dying: nothing was more important to the living than death and the afterlife and the lives of medieval people were full of concerns about how to prepare for eternity and secure a place in the heavenly kingdom.

Evening talks
Eminent speakers will present a variety of general interest talks. These are shared with students on our other programmes.

Course leader

Dr Rowena E Archer

Target group

We welcome applications from all adult learners including university students, professionals and those with other experience who have an interest in the subject, regardless of educational background.

Credits info

The University of Cambridge does not use a credit system for the awarding of its internal degrees, and cannot award credit directly for its International Summer Programmes. Students wishing to obtain credit as a result of our evaluation should consult their own institutions in advance about the acceptability of the Summer Programme evaluation for credit purposes.

Fee info

GBP 0: See official website