Fall 2009

Grand Valley State University

Honors Program

European Civilization I 

HNR 215/216: Honors College 220  

1:00-2:15 p.m./2:30-3:45 p.m.

Dr. Grace Coolidge

Office: D1-123 MAK

Phone: (616) 331-2158 e-mail coolidgg@gvsu.edu

Office Hours: Wednesday 10:30-12:00; Thursday 4:00-5:00 p.m., and by appointment

Dr. Diane Wright

Office: B2-259 MAK

Phone: (616) 331-3203/3670 e-mail wrightd@gvsu.edu

Office Hours: Monday  2:00-4:00; Thursday  4:00-5:00 p.m. and by appointment

Description

This course will examine the development of European Civilization from the Medieval period to 1800 through the reading and discussion of representative literary works and historical documents. We will take special consideration of the perspective of the Iberian Peninsula, given its unique historical and geographical position as the cultural crossroad of East and West, where the three “peoples of the book” coexisted in complex patterns of harmony and tension. In addition to becoming familiar with the main literary genres and currents of early Europe (early lyric poetry, development of narrative fiction, courtly love, picaresque fiction, drama) in their historical contexts (the Black Plague, the Reformation and Counter Reformation, the Inquisition, Scientific Revolution, etc.) we will also listen to the voices of individual Christians, Muslims and Jews in order to address such issues as: the creation of the other, the marginal status (of minorities and women) and the formation of identity (social, cultural, and religious). We will compare and contrast Spain to the rest of Europe, learning about its uniqueness as well as about the common ties that bind it to the mainland. We will begin by examining the forms of interaction among the three groups in Medieval Europe that will then lead us to examine the marginalization and portrayal of Jews and Muslims. The ultimate objective is to gain an understanding of early Europe both historically and culturally as well as confront the often conflictive and complex nature and cultural transformations that were experienced through the Early Modern period.

Course Objectives:

• To understand the origins and transformations of the major cultural and ideological notions and movements, as a forerunner to certain trends in modern Europe .
• To explain the key historical and political events that influenced and are reflected in literary and historical texts.
• To analyze and critique notions of cultural identity.
• To expand critical skills of analysis and thought through reading, discussion, oral presentations and formal writing.
• To become familiar with and use traditional academic resources as well as web sites and electronic sources of information.

This course is designated SWS.