https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/L_GABAGES120Students acquire knowledge about and insight into the most important events and developments in the history of Europe and the Mediterranean during the period known as the ‘Middle Ages'. Students acquire basic skills in analyzing with medieval primary source materials, both individually and working in groups.From 300 to 600 CE the world of the Roman Empire, which had enveloped the entire Mediterranean basin, transformed into several new socio-economic, political, and cultural spheres. During this period, the kingdoms of Latin Christianity first developed in Western Europe. From the 7th century CE onward, the civilizations of the Byzantine Empire and Islam in the Arabic world began to take shape. We explore the main events and developments in each of these cultural spheres, with particular attention for developments and institutions in Western Europe. After initial ruralization during the during the early Middle Ages, Europe became a highly urbanized and commercialized area during the later Middle Ages, which in turn laid the foundations for its global expansion from the 15th century onward. During this course, students thus become familiar with the most important developments in the history of Europe and the Mediterranean during the period c. 500-1500, including connections to Eurasia and the Americas.A weekly lecture and a weekly seminar. Seminars taught in Dutch for BA students Geschiedenis; seminars taught in English for BA students History & International studies; Minor students and exchange students.Assignments (25%) and a written exam (75%).Rosenwein, Barbara H. A Short History of the Middle Ages. Volume I, from c. 300 to c. 1150. Sixth edition. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2023.Obligatory course for BA 1 students Geschiedenis, and for BA 1 students History & International Studies. Obligatory course for students who want to take the full minor programme 'History'. Recommended course for other students with an interest in medieval history.This course is part of the regular BA programmes in History and History & International Studies, and is part of the minor 'History'.