ME4813 The Merovingian World

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Full Year

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

60

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Before taking this module, students must have satisfied the Honours entry requirements established by the School of History; available only to students in the second year of the Honours Programme

Planned timetable

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module Staff

Professor J Palmer

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The Merovingian dynasty – ‘the long-haired kings’ – dominated the medieval West for three hundred years after the Fall of Rome. This special subject explores political, social and religious life under their rule, and asks how their power was eroded by civil war, factionalism and the challenges of holy men until they became the infamous ‘do-nothing kings’ of later legend. Classes will draw on the epic and ironic histories of Gregory of Tours (d. 594) and Fredegar (d. 660), a wealth of highly politicised saints’ Lives, and legal texts.

Assessment pattern

60% Coursework 40% Examination (2x2-hour Exams)

Re-assessment

100% Coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-hour weekly seminar and optional office hour

Scheduled learning hours

66

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

534

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a capacity to construct original arguments.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of a range of original source types, including hagiography and letters.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of politics and religion in the post-Roman world.