Course Expectations

Course Description:

Were the Middle Ages truly a Dark Age? Did King Arthur and Robin Hood really exist? What was daily life really like for people living during the Middle Ages? These are just a few of the questions this survey course tackles as it focuses on important people, events, institutions, art and architecture during the Middle Ages (500 - 1500 CE). Additional topics of study include the Fall of Rome, Monasticism, Charlemagne, Vikings, the Byzantine Empire, the Norman Conquest, Knighthood, Magna Carta, the rise of Islam, the Crusades, and the Black Death.

Medieval Studies Course Standards

1. Presents a range of ideas by speaking and listening effectively
2. Effectively writes essays of varying lengths to analyze and explain historical or literary content or concepts
3. Demonstrates proficient historical writing skills including the completion of all stages in researching and writing a thesis driven research paper or project with proper citations
4. Demonstrates proficient historical thinking skills (e.g., sourcing, contextualization, close reading, and corroborating)
5. Uses the arts to demonstrate and explain historical content and concepts
6. Analyzes and describes important ideas, accomplishments and events during the Early Middle Ages
7. Analyzes and describes important ideas, accomplishments and events during the High Middle Ages
8. Examines and evaluates different aspects of daily life in medieval Europe

HOWLS: (HOWLS are reported on, but not used to determine a student’s final grade)

• PREPARATION: I am prepared for class and arrive on time with organized materials and any needed attire.
• PARTICIPATION: I participate in my learning by engaging actively, contributing productively, and collaborating respectfully and safely.
• PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY: I manage my school work by monitoring my assignment completion, meeting deadlines for assigned work and revisions, and/or successfully navigating the extension process if necessary.

Major Assessments and/or Projects:

A variety of assessment methods and tools will be used throughout the semester including informal teacher observations, rubrics, tests, and writing assignments. Students will also often be given the opportunity to meet with me on a one-on-one basis to verbally demonstrate their knowledge of the historical content and concepts they are required to understand.

Deadlines and extensions:

Homework will be given to students during class, usually at the beginning of each week. Every student will be expected to keep track of when homework assignments are due. Homework assignments and their due dates will be posted on the class website, which can be assessed through the school website. Students must take the initiative to ask me for an extension at least one day prior to the due date if they need additional time to complete a given assignment. If an extension is granted, an assignment will not be considered late as long as it is received on or before the newly agreed upon due date.

Revisions: Students are usually given the opportunity to revise class assignments in order to improve their academic skills and the quality of their work. At times, I will ask a student to revise his or her work, but students can also approach me and ask for the opportunity to revise an assignment. Due dates for revisions will be determined by the teacher after consulting with the student.

Honors Credit Procedures: Students who have demonstrated that they are working at a “3.2” level or higher on the Mid-Semester Report will be eligible to contract with me to complete an independent honors project. The goal of the project is to provide students with an opportunity to challenge themselves by digging even deeper into an area of study that pertains to the class. Projects will vary from student to student. Interested students will meet with me to discuss and agree upon details related to the project including: topic, means of study, and final product.

Class Participation: My goal is to create a safe, positive, and respectful classroom environment so students can learn, take risks, and grow. Class participation is a key factor in a student’s success in this class. Each day of class is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn skills, historical content and partake in activities designed to deepen their understanding of history. It is very important for students to be in class on time with the attitude and materials needed to effectively learn. Students who are either tardy or absent from a class are responsible for taking the initiative to meet with me in order to obtain any assignments or information that they missed.

Class Preparation: Students will want to have either a 3-ring notebook or a folder with pockets and loose leaf paper. Students will receive quite a few handouts during the semester. Students are also expected to have writing implements and a planner to record homework assignments.