Research Seminar North Sea Area Studies II: individuals and Institutions around the North Sea

Course goals

After the course, you will be able to:

• understand the role of individuals and institutions in the production, performance and perception of texts around the North Sea area in the Medieval period;
• understand in considerable depth the socio-political and religious contexts in which these texts were used;
• apply that understanding when translating difficult Medieval Latin, Old Irish, Middle Welsh or Old English texts;
• undertake research pertinent to the focus in the medieval North Sea area using primary sources in the student’s chosen language(s).    

Content

The societies that flourished around the North Sea in medieval times developed institutions that we learn about in this course primarily through the texts they left behind. It was not the abstract entities we call institutions that produced these texts, however; the texts were produced and perceived rather by individuals (often anonymous, though sometimes known by name), functioning as composers, copiers, correctors, and intended audiences. One can think of the church and its officials, producing law texts, saints’ lives, liturgies and biblical commentaries; but also of royal and ecclesiastical courts and their members producing annals, poetry, sermons, and hymns.

This course examines texts produced around the North Sea area as a result of institutional as well as individual undertakings. The content will vary from year to year and will depend on the interests of the students and staff involved each year, but representative texts could include any of the text types given above, which will be viewed through the lens of the institutions and individuals responsible for their production.

You will translate primary literature and read and analyse secondary literature relevant to the focus of the course.
 

Additional information

For students in the first year of the RMA Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Studies that specialise in North Sea Area studies, this course is mandatory. Students from other AMRS tracks can choose this course in their second year. 

The entrance requirements for Exchange Students will be checked by the International Office and the Programme coordinator. Acceptance is not self-evident.

This course is a compulsory choice within the Research MA Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Studies and is an elective for students in the following Research master programmes: Comparative Literary Studies; Art History; Nederlandse Literatuur en Cultuur; Musicology; Gender Studies; Media, Art And Performance Studies; Religious Studies; Philosophy; Modern and Contemporary History; Linguistics and History and Philosophy of Science.