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This module gives students a flavour of medieval history by focusing on two important and illustrative topics. The first component surveys the expansion and activities of Viking-age Scandinavians in Europe and beyond and their impact as raiders, military and political conquerors, settlers and traders. The second features the Normans—descendants of the Vikings—in Normandy, Italy, Sicily, England, Ireland and the Near East. Among the themes for this part of the module are war and defence, religion and the church, death and burial, town and country, and trade and industry. Both components address the connection between the narratives of history offered by historians (historiography) and the evidence that underpins or may undermine those narratives.
The module will be supported by a continuous assessment programme, with assignments covering both components, spread across the full semester, aimed at honing the intellectual and technical skills (researching, synthesis, interpreting a variety of sources, referencing and citation) that students will require in order to pursue the study of history in second and third years.
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