LFU:online

The seminar introduces students to the main tools of research in medieval history. Students learn how to analyse different sources and write a paper based on a source.

The term Middle Ages is a convention. But what are we talking about at all when we speak of the Middle Ages, and even more, of medieval everyday life? 

The epoch term Middle Ages was constituted from a certain modern perspective and only conditionally from time, space and horizon of those centuries and their contemporaries. Questioning this antagonism, the proseminar deals with the people and their life worlds in the land "inter montana" - that is, in the mountains. By working with specialized literature and local sources (charters, Urbare, account books, notarial registers, court records, etc.), critical approaches to medieval life worlds will be developed. The following points are important focal points:

The NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, which initially shaped human life as a long-lasting constant.
The ECONOMY and SOCIALIZATION of the people, through which the environment was shaped and reshaped.
And finally POLITICS, CHURCH and LEGISLATION, which gave their framework to the human activity in the Middle Ages.

The tools of research in medieval history are: methodological approaches, theoretical reflexion as well as practical work on sources including critique of sources. The seminar gives a survey of the main types of sources of medieval history, questions of periodisation, research facilities and auxiliary sciences. Students will practically apply the skills in working on medieval sources by writing a short paper on late medival letters.

Reading of specialized literature, joint discussion and working with medieval sources. Part of the work assignments will be elaborated in small groups. 

Regular participation in the seminar, contribution in class (discussion and presentation), short treatise, written exam.

Will be announced in class

Positive assessment of compulsory module 1

Online registration necessary!

It is suggested to take this course together with the UE "Quellen und Darstellungen des Mittelalters: Ausgewählte Tiroler Quellen zur Alltagsgeschichte".