HIST2053 Medieval Europe from the Crusades to the Black Death

This course explores the lives and experiences of people in western Europe during the Middle Ages. We begin the course in the early Middle Ages with Charlemagne and his successors, and the upheaval caused by Vikings and other invaders. We shall then consider the expansion of European power in the eleventh and twelfth centuries (including the Crusades), and the flourishing of European civilisation and culture, trade and urban life in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. At the end of the course, we discuss the crisis of medieval civilisation that was brought about by conflicts within the Church, the great struggle between France and England, and the Black Death. Students have the unique opportunity to locate and research medieval objects and examples of medievalism in Adelaide for a virtual 'museum' exhibition.

HIST2069 Heresy and Witchcraft in Medieval Europe

This course explores belief and deviancy in medieval Europe. After identifying religious and cultural orthodoxy, it embarks upon an analysis of dissent. Divergence from sanctioned ideology and ritual ranged from the spiritual and social challenge of medieval heresies, through popular beliefs in the magical powers of people and objects, to the witch hunts of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Using a wide variety of original documents and historical interpretations, the course aims to understand and explain conflicting belief systems and the rise of intolerance in the pre-modern world.

HIST3037 Early Modern Europe

The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries are often claimed by historians to represent the transition between the medieval and modern worlds. Beginning with the Renaissance and Reformation, the era was characterised by intellectual, religious and political upheaval, which affected all levels of society, not only the elites. Through lectures and tutorials, with particular emphasis on primary documents, students will examine not only the great events of this era, but they will also delve below the surface to discuss the impact of these changes on the lives of ordinary men and women.

HIST4002/HIST7002 The Tudors and their Legacy

The Tudors ruled England and Wales from 1485 to 1603. In 118 years they transformed the historical landscape, enforcing religious change (and conflict), cementing the British Isles military and diplomatic position in Europe and the Atlantic world and encouraging an intellectual and cultural renaissance. Moreover, they provided history with many ‘firsts’ and a succession of colourful monarchs – Mary I was England’s first queen regnant, while Henry VIII and Elizabeth I are two of the best-known sovereigns. In recent years there has been renewed fascination with the Tudors, sparked by historical fiction (Wolf Hall) and TV series (The Tudors). This Honours/Masters course investigates Tudor history, examining the monarchs and the momentous changes taking place during their rule, and unravelling their legacy into the twenty-first century.