Professor: Shennan Hutton
Lecture MWF 11:00 AM 11:50 AM
- A01 Discussion F 12:10 PM 1:00 PM BAINER 01132
- A02 Discussion F 1:10 PM 2:00 PM WELLMN 00205
- A03 Discussion F 2:10 PM 3:00 PM HART 01116
- A04 Discussion F 2:10 PM 3:00 PM WELLMN 00107
Course Description: This course explores the history of the Roman Empire as it gradually split into eastern and western halves: the eastern half evolved into what would become the Byzantine Empire, and the western half became medieval Europe. This period of Mediterranean history saw the rise of Christianity and Islam as major cultural forces, the gradual decline of the city of Rome, the resurgence of imperial (Sasanian) Iran, and the shift of European power to Central Asian and Germanic tribes. War, plague, depopulation, massive migrations, and famine co-existed with brilliant cultural and intellectual creativity. In this course we will discuss the people and the cultural forces that changed the Mediterranean world from “ancient” to “medieval,” in this pivotal period of Late Antiquity. We will read two ancient histories and many other primary sources. There will be two papers, a midterm and a final exam.
- General Education: Arts & Humanities (AH); World Cultures (WC); Writing Experience (WE).