Medieval Saints & Sinners: The History of the Medieval Church

Catalog description

During the Middle Ages, Roman Church shaped the contours of daily experiences-influencing the religious, political, social, and economic life of Europe and defining normative moral behaviors and gender roles for individuals. Nevertheless, study of the medieval Church reveals not a single, monolithic institution but considerable regional diversity in practices and beliefs. This course examines the medieval church, broadly defined, to provide an overview of its institutional structures and hierarchical development, its medieval theology and religious instruction, the process of conversion and popular religious movements, the religious beliefs and practices among monks, nuns, and priests as well as commoners and nobles, and the influences of these beliefs on encounters with non-Christians within medieval society and in the world. This course provides essential background for anyone interested in the medieval period and a foundation for the study of religion in later periods. Course readings concentrate on primary sources from the period but also draw on recent scholarship in the field to shape our discussions and inform student research.