Ancient and Medieval Spanish History. From Altamira to Isabella and Ferdinand (Prehistory to 1500) (in English)--Fall Semester Only

Course Description
The objective of this course is to give students an introduction and overview of the political evolution of the Iberian Peninsula (or IP) from the late Roman Empire to the monarchies of the mid to late fifteenth century. Prior to dealing with ancient history, the students will receive an overview of the history of the genus homo in the Iberian Peninsula, as well an instruction to the main pre-Roman cultures that lived in the peninsula, both native and foreign (proto-history & ancient history).

It is important for the students to note and to fully comprehend from day one that the political and cultural entity that constitutes modern day Spain did not exist in antiquity, nor in the middle ages, but it slowly came into being during the modern period. For example, during the Middle Ages the concept of Spain did not constitute a centralize entity, which in the particular case of Spain did not came into existence until the arrival of the Bourbon dynasty in the 18th century, and more importantly it was not until 1833 that the Kingdom of Spain was born. Therefore students of this course must familiarize themselves with the political entities that exited after the fall of Rome, such as, but not limited to, the Visigoth Kingdom of Toledo, the Hispanic March, the Kingdom of Asturias, the Caliphate of Cordoba, the Kingdom of Leon, or the last Muslim kingdom in Europe, the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, to name a few.

Course Goals and Methodology
The complexity of the history of the IP after the year AD 711 –arrival of Islam– does not allow for a typical history course, whereas chronology serves as the basis of class routine. Historical chronology will indeed be important from prehistory to the arrival of the various Germanic tribes to the Roman Empire in the 4th century and early 5th century. After 711, lectures will be divided upon historical blocks by topic; for example the 8th century will be studied in three blocks: the region known as Asturias, the Hispanic March, and Emirate of Cordoba. This will continued until arrival to the mid 13th century; this method will ensure that the student fully comprehends the history of the IP without leading to confusion among the various political entities that existed within the IP.

Learning Objectives
The main objective for this course is for the student to fully understand and comprehend that there was not “such thing” as Spain during this time period. Even if today we read texts written in the past we must understand that is a contemporary misusage; for example: the Bible refers to Spain in various occasions where in fact that political location did not exist but rather a geographical location known as Hispania.

Furthermore, the students should be able to grasp the slow transformation of the Roman world and the ruralization that occurred in the Early Middle Ages. Also, to be able to comprehend the birth of Europe as an entity distinguishable from the Mediterranean world of antiquity.

Finally, the students should be able to point-out and explain the various religious cultures, their influences, their advancements, but also their common mistrusts and hatred, of the Iberian Peninsula.

Course Requirements and Grading
Oral participation is very important, and each student is expected to contribute enthusiastically and to be courteous while in class. The participation grade will take into account the initiative and creativity during the different activities scheduled during the course, but also any outside activity that the student may participate in.

Students must come prepared to class, which means that each chapter must be read prior to class (excluding the first two days of classes), and students are expected to arrive on time. Furthermore, the students must also read a series of primary sources related to the topic at hand and/or lecture. Later on, the students will work on a series of commentaries based upon these sources, which will complement the course. These sources and their respective commentaries, may also appear as part of the examination.

Apart from the commentaries and class participation, there is a midterm and a final examination. These exams are divided into an essay part and a short answer part. To prepare for these short answer questions there will be two quizzes which will be giving in the beginning of class and without prior announcement.

Finally, a series of require visits will be made throughout the semester to varies areas with-in Seville or its surrounding. Since they are a requirement a grade will be given. The breakdown for this grade will be two points per visit, as well as general participation during said visits.

The final grade is broken down as follows:

• Class Participation 10%
• Commentaries 10% (5% each)
• Quizzes 20% (10% each)
• Visits 10%
• Exams 50% (25% each)

Course Schedule
Session 1 – Introduction & overview of syllabus.

Block I: prehistory to Ancient History
Session 2 & 3 – The Stone & Metal Ages: natives cultures
Session 4 – Ancient History: pre-Roman Iberia

Block II: Rome
Session 5 to 8 – From the birth fo the fall of Rome.
*Readings: Richardson, Chapter I: Romans & Carthaginians, 237-206BC.
*Readings: Collins, Chapter I: The Emergence of a New Order.
*Readings: Reilly, Chapter 1: At the Edge of the Empire.

Block III: Early Middle Ages (up to 11th century)
Session 9 – The Visigothic Kingdom of Toledo.
*Readings: Reilly, Chapter 2: The Germanic Kingdom in Iberia, 569-711.
*Readings: Fletcher, Chapter 1: Romance & Reality.
Session 10 & 11 – AD 711; Islam & al-Andalus.
*Readings: Fletcher, Chapter 2: The Secret of the Tower.
*Readings: Reilly, Chapter 3: Iberia and the Dār-al-Islam, 711-1009.
*Readings: Fletcher, Chapter 3: The Curve of Conversion.
*Readings: Fletcher, Chapter 5: The Party Kings: ‘Cats puffed up to look like Lions.’
Session 12 – The Christian north (8th to 11th century).
*Readings: Reilly, Chapter 4: Christian Reconquista and African Empire, 1009-1157

Session 13 – Midterm Exam (Oct 26th)

Block IV – 12th century and the 13th century expansion
Session 14 & 15 – Almoravids (1091-146) & Almohads (1147-1238).
*Readings: Fletcher, Chapter 6: The Moroccan Fundamentalists.
Session 16 & 17 – The Christian north (11th to 13th century).
*Readings: Reilly, Chapter 5: The Definition of Iberian Autonomy: 1157-1295.
*Readings: Serradilla, Chapter 1 & 2.

Block V – Late Middle Ages (14th & 15th century)
Session 18 & 19 – The 14th century crisis of the Late Middle Ages 1350-1474)
Session 20 & 21 – The 15th century crisis; Second Castilian Civil War (1474-1479).
*Readings: Reilly, Chapter 6: The Evolution of the Medieval Order in Iberia.
*Readings: Reilly, Chapter 7: the Passing of Medieval Iberia, 1248-1474.

Block VI – the End of the Middle Ages?
Session 22 – AD 1492; from Granada to the Bahamas.
*Readings: Fletcher, Chapter 8: Nasrid Granada.
*Readings: Fletcher, Chapter 9: An August Pomegranate.

Block V - Visits
Session 23 – VISIT- Roman Seville; time/location: TBA
Session 24 – VISIT- Islamic Seville; time/location: TBA
Session 25 – VISIT- 13th century Seville; time/location: TBA
Session 26 – VISIT- 15th century Seville; time/location: TBA *Carmona Visit: 18NOV
Session 27 – Final Exam; time/location: TBA

Commentaries:
-Paper commentary I due IN CLASS – NO EXCEPTIONS on Midterm Exam
-Paper commentary II due IN CLASS – NO EXCEPTIONS on Final Exam.