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HI304H: LAW, SEX AND MARRIAGE IN THE MIDDLE AGES (2020-2021)

Last modified: 24 Jun 2020 14:40


Course Overview

This course investigates how the ideal of a lifelong monogamous marriage became the norm in Western Europe. It examines relevant texts from the period and introduces students to a wide range of sources and approaches to the past. The course consists in a mixture of seminars and lectures and will include both broad overviews and case studies of individual marriages in the Middle Ages. The course is divided into three major sections. The first section discusses the historicity of Western attitudes to marriage and the significance of the institution for academic study. The second section considers medieval attitudes to sex, marriage and the family. The third section investigates how secular and ecclesiastical forces interacted in the ultimately successful attempt to make marriage a matter between individuals rather than families.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Frederik J. G. Pedersen

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course investigates how the ideal of a lifelong monogamous marriage became the norm in Western Europe. It examines relevant texts from the period and introduces students to a wide range of sources and approaches to the past. The course consists in a mixture of seminars and lectures and will include both broad overviews and case studies of individual marriages in the Middle Ages. The course is divided into three major sections. The first section discusses the historicity of Western attitudes to marriage and the significance of the institution for academic study. The second section considers medieval attitudes to sex, marriage and the family. The third section investigates how secular and ecclesiastical forces interacted in the ultimately successful attempt to make marriage a matter between individuals rather than families.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

3000 word essay (60%)

1000 word bibliography (20%)

1000 word source review (20%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome

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