IDE2023 – Major Course in Medieval Thought

Course content

The course provides insight into European intellectual history in the Middle Ages, based on readings of both primary and secondary sources.

To further a deeper understanding of the medieval period, the course offers a critical approach to some selected medieval topics, including the relationship between philosophy and theology, Christian hegemony versus cultural plurality, and popular culture versus elite culture. Also to be considered are perspectives on reception, including the question of the continuity and use of Antiquity in the Middle Ages as well as perceptions of the medieval period in retrospect.

Learning outcome

From the course the candidate is expected to develop:

• Ability to assess and communicate central features in medieval intellectual history
• Insight into a specialized area of Research
• A general understanding of the role of various writers and traditions in the medieval period
• Skills in reading and ascertaining relatively challenging texts and contextualizing them within the history of ideas
• Capacity for critical and independent appraisal, analysis and assessment, and written and oral expression in an academic form

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Recommended previous knowledge

IDE1104 – Vestens idéer fra antikken til 1600 and IDE1105 – Vestens idéer fra 1600 til vår egen tid or equivalent

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with IDE4023 – Idehistorisk nærlesing: Middelalderen.

Teaching

The course consists of a combination of lectures and seminars, in total 28 hours (circa).

In the seminars the students are expected to actively participate in discussions. Each student must also prepare and give at least one oral presentation in the course of the semester which must be approved before the student may take the exam.

Examination

3 day exam at the end of the semester.

Essay: 7-9 pages, excluding any attachments or illustrations. Recommended: Times New Roman 12 font and 1 ½ line spacing.

The obligatory oral assignment must be approved before the student may take the exam. Make sure to follow academic principles for references and quotations.

Language of examination

The language of examination is English. You can apply to the administrators of the course to submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.