HISTORY 736A/B : Medieval Women, c.1100-1500
Arts
2025 Semester One (1253) / Semester Two (1255) (30 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course has two main aims. The first is to provide an introduction to the lived experiences of medieval European women. What was life like for women in the Middle Ages? What limitations and possibilities did they face? How did these differ from one social group to another, between regions, and across time? How did medieval women see their world and their place within it? What kinds of sources are available and how might we go about interpreting them? The second aim is to consider the historiography of medieval women and constructions of gender. That is, how has their history been written, and from whose point of view? How has the history of medieval women varied with the ever-changing interests and agendas of those who construct such histories? Where do these agendas leave medieval women? What are the politics and ethics of such historiographical practices? How have feminist and gender theory shaped the kinds of questions we ask and answers we give? Given that the discipline of masculinity studies arose originally out of the feminist projects of women’s and gender history, there will be room too for discussion of medieval men and some dominant constructions of masculinity in medieval culture.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Develop knowledge of life conditions and experiences of people in historical context. (Capability 3)
- Evaluate scholarly approaches to medieval women and the relative merits of primary source materials. (Capability 4)
- Analyse a wide range of primary and secondary sources from a range of disciplines in self-directed assessments. (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
- Communicate ideas and arguments in oral and written formats to a high standard of presentation and persuasive power. (Capability 6)
- Demonstrate understanding of the relevance of historical study of gender to our world. (Capability 8)
- Demonstrate manaakitanga towards others, ethical and responsible behaviour within the classroom and outside. (Capability 8)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation | 6% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Essay | 24% | Individual Coursework |
| Assignment | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Research | 50% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
Teaching & Learning Methods
We will meet in weekly 2-hour sessions to discuss readings, and to hear and respond to student presentations. We will collectively discuss and debate the merits of a range of primary and secondary sources. Students will receive advice on research themes and methods in medieval studies to enable their own exploration of historical topics. Students will learn through hearing, reading, discussion, making class presentations, and receiving feedback and advice on their ideas and assignments.
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week involved in each 30 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 2 hours of seminars, 9 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 9 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled activities including seminars to receive credit for components of the course.
Seminars will not be available as recordings except in extraordinary circumstances (e.g. staff illness, campus closure).
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
This course is not available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Detailed reading lists will be supplied in a course syllabus available through Canvas.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Student presentations in Semester 2 will be linked to their final research essay where possible, in method and/or in topic.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Standard UOA limitations on the use of AI will be in place.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.