St. Michael's College, U of T

Mediaeval Studies: Courses for 2010-2011

Courses by Relevance:

• Core course
• Foundational Courses
• Approved courses

 

NEW INTRODUCTORY COURSE   

SMC175H1 Mediaeval Civilization T      

An interdisciplinary course to introduce students to the rich culture of the European mediaeval period (fROM 500 to 1500). Students will examine the Middle Ages by means of its art, literature, philosophy, liturgy, historiography, and music. A chronological overview will introduce students to the basic historical shape of the period.

Core Course

SMC 210Y1Y THE MEDIAEVAL TRADITION

Instructor: Joseph Goering

Class: T2-4

This course provides an introduction to the thought and culture of the European Middle Ages. Students are introduced to the important monuments of mediaeval History, Thought, Literature, and Art, and follow some of the common threads that run through all these disciplines. The course explores some of the classical antecedents and chief expressions of mediaeval life and thought.

Foundational Courses

SMC 222H1F MEDIAEVAL LATIN I (formerly LAT 322H1/SMC 322H1)

Instructor: Alexander Andrée

Class: MW10-12

This course studies a selection of mediaeval Latin prose and poetry.
Emphasis is on the linguistic differences between mediaeval Latin and its classical antecedent, especially in regard to vocabulary, grammar and orthography. A review of Latin grammar is part of the course.

Prerequisite: LAT 100Y1

Exclusion:LAT 322H1; SMC 322H1

SMC 323H1S MEDIAEVAL LATIN II (formerly LAT 323H1)

Instructor: Alexander Andrée

Class: MW10-12

Through the close reading of fewer but longer texts than in SMC 222H1, this course gives students a deepened acquaintance of the linguistic features of mediaeval Latin, as well as with its literature, and generic and stylistic conventions. A solid foundation in basic Latin morphology, syntax and vocabulary is assumed.

Prerequisite: LAT 202H1/SMC 222H1

SMC 358H1F THE MEDIAEVAL BOOK

Instructor: Greti Dinkova-Bruun

Class: T10-12

This course examines the most salient aspects of mediaeval manuscript culture. We will study how the parchment for books was folded, pricked, ruled and bound, as well as what scripts were employed in the different codices. We will also examine the various types of books made in the Middle Ages, the development of manuscript library collections and how modern technology is changing the study of the mediaeval book.

Recommended preparation: LAT 100Y1; SMC 210Y1 or a course in mediaeval history

SMC 359H1S MEDIAEVAL THEOLOGY

Instructor: Joseph Goering

Class: R2-4

An introduction to the discipline of theology as taught in the mediaeval schools. Building on a basic knowledge of Christian scriptures and of philosophical argument, this course will offer an organic exposition of mediaeval theology, together with an introduction into the scientific method of theological investigation as practised in the Middle Ages.

Recommended preparation: SMC 210Y1

SMC 360H1F VERNACULAR LITERATURE OF THE MIDDLE AGES

Instructor: Alexandra Bolintineanu

Class: W5-8

This course examines selected examples of mediaeval vernacular literature within the cultural context of Europe and considers the development of different literary genres such as epic, romance and lyric. Relations between vernacular literatures, and between vernacular and Latin literature are also studied. Texts are read in translation.

Recommended preparation: SMC 210Y1

Exclusion:SMC 420H1

SMC 361H1F MEDIAEVAL LAW

Instructor: Giulio Silano

Class: R4-6

Mediaeval jurisprudence combines the high technical quality of Roman law with the requirements of Christianity. The seminar provides an overview of the development of mediaeval learned jurisprudence; select texts from Roman and canon law, with their glosses, are read in order to explore more specifically the methods and concerns of mediaeval jurists.

Recommended preparation: HIS 220Y1/SMC 210Y1

Exclusion:SMC 405H1

Approved Courses

The following SMC courses from the list of Approved Courses are being offered in 2010-2011. For availability of Approved Courses from other departments, check the Faculty of Arts and Science 2010 2011 Timetable.

SMC 175H1F MEDIAEVAL CIVILIZATION

Instructor: Jennifer Harris

Class: MW10

Tutorials: M11/M12/T10/W9

An interdisciplinary course to introduce students to the rich culture of the European mediaeval period (from 500 to 1500). Students will examine the Middle Ages by means of its art, literature, philosophy, liturgy, historiography, and music. A chronological overview will introduce students to the basic historical shape of the period.

SMC 215H1F VARIETIES OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

Instructor: Giulio Silano

Class: T4-6

Christian history has been characterized by an enduring and fruitful search for forms of religious community. This course surveys some communal attempts to express Christianity, monasticism, forms of common life for clerics, the Mendicants, lay confraternities, religious orders, and contemporary lay movements.

SMC324H1 The Study of the Bible in the Middle Ages       

This course explores mediaeval biblical commentary and the various approaches taken by the exegetes to uncover the secrets of the sacred page, for instance through the “four senses” of Scripture: history, allegory, tropology, and anagogy.

Recommended Preparation: SMC210Y

SMC 337H1F EARLY CELTIC HISTORY 450-1000

Instructor: Peter J. Smith

Class: T4-6

The history of the insular Celtic nation groups from the post-Roman period to the end of the first millennium. The course will trace settlement history and social organization, the making of Celtic nations, the process of Christianization, the impact of the Vikings, and the rise of paramount kings.

Exclusion:SMC 345Y1

SMC 338H1S THE CELTIC NATIONS IN THE LATER MIDDLE AGES 1000-1550

Instructor: Ann Dooley

Class: W2-4

Later medieval development of Ireland, Scotland and Wales: development of kingship, trade and urban settlement, arrival and colonizing patterns of the Normans, role of English administration and aggression, resurgence of native elites, development of frontier zones, beginning of the more complete English conquest of Ireland and Wales.

Exclusion:SMC 345Y1

SMC 344Y1F CELTIC ARCHAEOLOGY

Instructor: Kristján Ahronson

Class: MW4-6

The archaeology of the Celtic peoples, with special reference to settlement patterns and material culture in Great Britain and Ireland.

Note: This course is being offered as a “YIF” course, i.e. a full credit in first term only.

SMC 357H1S THE MEDIAEVAL CHILD

Instructor: Greti Dinkova-Bruun

Class: T10-12

This course examines birth, nourishment, education and death of children in the Middle Ages. What was it like to be a mediaeval boy or girl? What kind of relationship did children have with their parents, with their teachers, or with other children? Primary sources are examined and interdisciplinary methods employed.

Recommended preparation: SMC 210Y1/HIS 220Y1

SMC 422H1F SACRED SPACE IN THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION

Instructor: Jennifer Harris

Class: F10-1

An examination of the development of sacred space in the early Church, reflection upon its place in the imaginative landscape of the European Middle Ages, and discussion of its implications for the understanding of space and place in our own culture.

Prerequisite: One course in the history of Christianity; completion of ten full-course credits

Recommended preparation: SMC 200Y1

SMC 436H1S ADVANCED MEDIAEVAL LATIN SEMINAR

Instructor: Alexander Andrée

Class: R10-1

This seminar explores the intellectual milieu of the cathedral schools of the twelfth century and the debates of its famous and infamous protagonists: Abelard, for instance, and Bernard of Clairvaux, Heloise, Peter the Venerable, etc. Readings in the original Latin will be discussed and commented upon by students.

Prerequisite: SMC 323H1

Recommended preparation: SMC 210Y1

SMC 435H1F/S INDEPENDENT STUDIES IN MEDIAEVAL STUDIES

Download further instructions on how to register for this course

An independent research project to be proposed by the student and supervised by a member of faculty affiliated with the Mediaeval Studies Program.

Prerequisite: Ten full courses

SMC 490Y1Y SENIOR ESSAY IN MEDIAEVAL STUDIES

Download further instructions on how to register for this course

A scholarly project chosen by the student in consultation with an instructor and approved by the Program Co-ordinator. Arrangements for the choice of topic and supervisor must be completed by the student before registration.

SMC 385H1S Numbers and the Humanities: Multicultural Toronto

The following new course is not accepted towards the Specialist, Major or Minor Program in Mediaeval Studies but commencing in 2011-2012 students enrolling in subject POSts will be required to fulfill a competency requirement in Quantitative Reasoning.  This half course will be acceptable towards that competency:

Instructor: Mark McGowan

Class: M10-12

An introduction to research methods in the Humanities focusing on quantification, the use of routinely generated records, forensic analysis, and data collection and analysis. Critique of these methods. This year the course focuses on multiculturalism and ethnicity in Toronto. Students will reconstruct the life of immigrant groups in the city by use of municipal assessment records, the censuses of 1901 and 1911, church records, newspapers, maps, city directories, and records housed in the collection of the Multicultural History Society of Ontario, located in SMC's Kelly library.

Prerequisite:  Students must be registered in major or specialist programs in SMC/SLA/FRE/GER/ITA