MEDIEVAL ITALY

Catalog description

This course will examine medieval Italy from the fall of the Roman Empire up until the beginnings of the Italian Renaissance in the fourteenth century. The course explores how Italy moved from a united polity in the early Lombard and Carolingian period, into a patchwork of principalities and cities throughout the high medieval period, highlighting political evolution during times of decentralization. Special attention will be given to Italy’s unique religious culture, such as the growth of the pap acy, Italian saints, and lay religiosity. The course will demonstrate medieval Italy’s unique political and religious culture, and how this period in Italian history set the stage for the later Renaissance. Prerequisites: HIST 101 and HIST 102.