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The Age of Gothic 12th - 15th Centuries

Code: 100360 ECTS Credits: 6
2025/2026
Degree Type Year
Archaeology OT 4
History OB 2

Contact

Name:
Vicente Royo Perez
Email:
vicent.royo@uab.cat

Teachers

Nuria Pacheco Catalan
Pere Gonzalez Alerm
Jaime Oliver Bruy

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

Those required by the regulations of the degree: to have taken the subject "Introduction to Medieval History" or "Medieval History" in the first year, in order to have achieved a minimum knowledge of the major processes of the Middle Ages in space and time. On this basis, the contents of the syllabus corresponding to the period of study will be studied in depth.

Ability to read in Catalan, Spanish, English and French.


Objectives and Contextualisation

To study the past of European societies between the 12th and 15th centuries. The feudal conquests, the consolidation of European monarchies and the foundations of the modern world will be analyzed.

Specific attention will be paid to the expansion of Latin Christiandom: conquests, colonisations and the commercial and financial aspects of this process; the causes of the conflicts; the so-called "crisis" of the fourteenth century; the transformations derived from these changes; the relationships between these processes and the development of new ideologies.

Although the main reference of the subject is Europe, the links between European historical medieval processes and those developed in the Near East and North Africa will be discussed.

The contents of the subject will be sensitive to gender perspective.


Competences

    Archaeology
  • Contextualizing and analysing historical processes.
  • Developing critical thinking and reasoning and communicating them effectively both in your own and other languages.
  • Managing the main methods, techniques and analytic tools in archaeology.
  • Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
  • Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethic relevant issues.
  • Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  • Students must develop the necessary learning skills to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
  • Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
    History
  • Applying the main methods, techniques and instruments of the historical analysis.
  • Developing critical thinking and reasoning and communicating them effectively both in your own and other languages.
  • Mastering the basic diachronic and thematic concepts of the historical science.
  • Respecting the diversity and plurality of ideas, people and situations.
  • Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
  • Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
  • Students must develop the necessary learning skills in order to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Accurately describing an artistic object with the specific language of art criticism.
  2. Analyse the historical processes that lead to armed conflict.
  3. Analysing the key issues that allow us to address the study of historical phenomena from a gender perspective.
  4. Applying both knowledge and analytical skills to the resolution of problems related to their area of study.
  5. Applying proper techniques and analytical tools in case studies.
  6. Applying techniques in order to quickly and completely understand texts in Latin.
  7. Applying the grammatical knowledge acquired to the analysis and comprehension of Latin texts.
  8. Applying the morphosyntactic analysis to the reading of Latin texts, identifying if necessary the specific characteristics of the literary genre or the corresponding linguistic variation.
  9. Assessing and critically solving the characteristic historiographical problems of gender history.
  10. Assessing and critically solving the historiographical problems of war studies.
  11. Autonomously searching, selecting and processing information both from structured sources (databases, bibliographies, specialized magazines) and from across the network.
  12. Carrying out oral presentations using appropriate academic vocabulary and style.
  13. Communicating in your mother tongue or other language both in oral and written form by using specific terminology and techniques of Historiography.
  14. Critically analysing informational speeches, especially in relation to ideology and ethnocentric and sexist bias.
  15. Describing the economic, social and political structures of Middle Ages.
  16. Describing the economic, social and political structures of the Middle Ages.
  17. Developing the ability of historical analysis and synthesis.
  18. Effectively expressing themselves and applying the argumentative and textual processes of formal and scientific texts.
  19. Examining a literary passage in Medieval Latin and connecting it with its general linguistic characteristics.
  20. Identifying main and supporting ideas and expressing them with linguistic correctness.
  21. Identifying the characteristic methods of Archaeology and its relationship with the historical analysis.
  22. Identifying the context of the historical processes.
  23. Identifying the main and secondary ideas and expressing them with linguistic correctness.
  24. Identifying the specific methods of History and its relationship with the analysis of particular facts.
  25. Interpreting and analysing documentary sources.
  26. Interpreting historical texts in relation to archaeological contexts.
  27. Interpreting material sources and the archaeological record.
  28. Knowing the main historiographical debates concerning the Middle Ages.
  29. Mastering and identifying the history of immediate environment.
  30. Mastering the diachronic structure of the past.
  31. Mastering the relevant languages to the necessary degree in the professional practice.
  32. Mastering the Universal History of the Middle Ages.
  33. Organising and planning the search of historical information.
  34. Reading and interpreting historiographical texts or original documents and transcribing, summarising and cataloguing information from the Middle Ages.
  35. Reading and interpreting historiographical texts or original documents and transcribing, summarizing and cataloguing information produced in the Middle Ages.
  36. Recognising the importance of controlling the quality of the work's results and its presentation.
  37. Relating elements and factors involved in the development of historical processes.
  38. Solve the methodological problems posed by the use of medieval historiographical sources.
  39. Solving problems autonomously.
  40. Solving the methodological problems posed by the use of medieval historiographical sources.
  41. Submitting works in accordance with both individual and small group demands and personal styles.
  42. Transmitting the results of archaeological research and clearly communicating conclusions in oral and written form to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  43. Use the specific technical vocabulary of interpretation and commentary of ancient texts.
  44. Using computing resources of the area of study of history.
  45. Using research sources characteristic of the study of Catalonia's History.
  46. Using suitable terminology when drawing up an academic text.
  47. Using the characteristic computing resources of the field of History.
  48. Using the specific interpretational and technical vocabulary of the discipline.
  49. Working in teams respecting the other's points of view.

Content

  1. The expansion of Latin Christendom (12th-13th centuries).
  2. Feudal monarchies (12th-13th centuries).
  3. The Church, the Reformation and the Crusades (12th-13th centuries).
  4. Byzantium and the Islamic states (12th-13th centuries).
  5. The late medieval crisis.
  6. The late medieval European states.
  7. The Church in the late Middle Ages.
  8. The new dimensions of the world. Islamic states and the end of Byzantium.

Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Seminars and other activities guided by lecturers 14 0.56 3, 5, 4, 10, 9, 13, 17, 29, 12, 22, 24, 21, 20, 23, 25, 27, 26, 34, 33, 41, 37, 38, 40, 49, 48, 47, 45
Theorical Classes 28 1.12 2, 5, 10, 15, 29, 32, 30, 46, 22, 24, 20, 25, 26, 34, 33, 37, 38, 48, 47
Type: Supervised      
Tutorial seasons for the preparation of assignments (oral and written) and for the preparation of theoretical and practical content. 14 0.56 5, 39, 11, 17, 18, 20, 23, 33, 36, 47, 44
Type: Autonomous      
Elaboration of essays and commentaries. 29.5 1.18 14, 3, 5, 4, 39, 10, 9, 13, 17, 31, 29, 30, 18, 12, 46, 22, 24, 21, 20, 25, 27, 26, 34, 33, 41, 36, 37, 38, 40, 42, 49, 48, 44, 47, 45
Individual Study 48 1.92 14, 3, 2, 4, 39, 10, 9, 11, 15, 17, 31, 29, 32, 30, 22, 24, 21, 20, 34, 33, 37, 40, 44, 47

1. Directed activities.

  • Read and interpret historiographical texts or original documents and transcribe, summarise and catalogue information generated during the Late Middle Ages.
  • Describe the social and political structures of the late Middle Ages.
  • Solve the methodological problems posed by the handling of medieval sources.
  • Develop analytical and synthesis skills.

2. Supervised activities (tutorials).

  • Manage information and coordinate interdisciplinary work with other teams.
  • Guidance in the preparation of the work.

3. Autonomous activities.

  • Read and interpret historiographical texts or original documents and transcribe, summarise and catalogue information generated during the Late Middle Ages.
  • Describe the social and political structures of the Late Middle Ages.
  • Solve the methodological problems posed by the handling of medieval sources.
  • Develop analytical and synthesis skills.
  • Communicate orally and in writing the results of the activities.

At the beginning of the course, the lecturer will inform students of the schedule of face-to-face tutorials that will take place during the quadrimester, with the aim of guiding students in the completion of their work and in the general preparation of the practical and theoretical content of the subject.

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Essay(s) 30% 12 0.48 14, 3, 2, 7, 8, 5, 6, 4, 39, 11, 13, 28, 1, 15, 16, 17, 31, 29, 32, 30, 19, 18, 12, 46, 22, 24, 21, 20, 23, 25, 27, 26, 35, 34, 33, 41, 36, 37, 38, 40, 42, 49, 43, 48, 44, 47, 45
Reading control 20% 1.5 0.06 14, 15, 17, 31, 32, 30, 18, 46, 22, 24, 20, 23, 34, 36, 37, 38, 40, 48
Synthesis Test 1 25% 1.5 0.06 14, 3, 5, 4, 10, 9, 13, 28, 15, 16, 17, 32, 30, 18, 12, 46, 22, 24, 21, 20, 33, 36, 37, 38, 40, 48
Synthesis Test 2 25% 1.5 0.06 14, 3, 5, 4, 10, 9, 13, 28, 15, 16, 17, 32, 30, 18, 12, 46, 22, 24, 21, 20, 33, 36, 37, 38, 40, 48

Continuos Assessment

The continuous assessment system will be governed by the completion of four activities. The type of test and the percentage that each one represents in the overall assessment are shown below:

  1. Synthesis test 1: 25%.
  2. Synthesis test 2: 25%.
  3. Reading control: 20%
  4. Essay(s): 30%.

On carrying out each evaluation activity, professors will inform students (on Moodle) of the procedures to be followed for reviewing all grades awarded, and the date on which such a review will take place.

To pass the subject, an average mark of 5 or higher must be obtained in all the evaluation activities. In addition, to obtain an average, one of the two synthesis tests must be passed with a minimum mark of 5. The student who has failed the two synthesis tests will have to sit the resit exam, whatever the final weighted average.

Any evaluation task not completed or not handed in will be graded as 0 when calculating the average.

It will be possible to obtain 0.5 additional points to the final average grade of the course if the student attends seminars, congresses, conferences or other activities previously indicated by the professors of the subject and as long as they are strictly related to the content of the subject. Attendance must be certified and a report of the activities carried out must also be submitted. The professors will provide the instructions on these activities at the beginning of the quadrimester. In any case, these additional 0.5 points can be used to reach 5 and pass the course without having to take the recovery exam if the final average mark does not reach the minimum required. In the same way, the student will not be able to exceed the maximum mark of 10 points in the overall markofthe course.

During the quadrimester, a visit to Montblanc is planned as part of a teaching innovation activity financed by the Faculty. This outing will be related to the practical work(s) and will be carried out provided that there is sufficient funding to cover the travel expenses of the students to Montblanc. The professors will inform about the characteristics of this activity at the beginning of the quadrimester.

Students will be able to access the resit exam provided that the evaluation activities have been handed in or completed within the deadlines established by the subject's lecturers. It will not be possible to submit an exercise for the first time during the resit period.

To participate in the resit process, the student must have been assessed in 2/3 of the evaluable tests. In addition, students must have obtained a minimum average grade of 3.5 across all assessment activities. If the total score falls below 3.5, they will not be eligible to participate in the resit.

The resist of the hole subject will consist of a written exam on the entire syllabus of the course and will take place on the date established by the Faculty.

The maximum mark for the resit exam will be a 5. Under no circumstances will the resit exam be considered as an alternative to raise a mark.

Students will obtain a Not assessed/Not submitted course grade unless they have submitted more than 30% of the assessment items.

The scheduling of the evaluation tests cannot be modified, except in duly justified exceptional cases. Erasmus students who wish to advance an exam, will have to present to the teaching staff a written document from their home university justifying their request.

In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. Inthe event of irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.

Those evaluation acts in which there are irregularities (copying, plagiarism, unauthorized use of digital watches, smartphones, headphones or other similar devices) will be graded with a 0 and will not be recoverable.

This subject entirely prohibits the use of AI technologiesin all of its activities. Any submitted work that contains content generated using AI will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade will be awarded a zero, without the possibility of reassessment. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.

In all exercises, spelling, clarity of exposition and correctness of writing will be assessed. Serious faults in these aspects may result in the failure of the subject.

Throughout the quadrimester, a trip lasting several days can be planned, an activity that will be voluntary and will have no effect on the final grade. The professors will inform about the characteristics of this trip, related to the theoretical and practical content of the course, at the beginning of the term. Students will have to assume the travel, accommodation and food expenses generated during the trip.

 

Single Assessment

The single assessment system will be governed by the completion of four activities. The type of test and the percentage that each one represents in the overall assessment is shown below:

  1. Synthesis test 1: 25%.
  2. Synthesis test 2: 25%.
  3. Reading control: 20%
  4. Essay(s): 30%.

Professors will announce in the first week of class, both in theclassroom and through the Virtual Campus, the single date for the completion and delivery of the assessment tests.

On carrying out each evaluation activity, professors will inform students (on Moodle) of the procedures to be followed for reviewing all grades awarded, and the date on which such a review will take place.

To pass the subject, an average mark of 5 or higher must be obtained in all the evaluation activities. In addition, to obtain an average, one of the two synthesis tests must be passed with a minimum mark of 5. The student who has failed the two synthesis tests will have to sit the resit exam, whatever the final weighted average.

Any evaluation tasknot completed or not handed in will be graded as 0 when calculating the average.

Students who take the single assessment will be exempt from participating in any face-to-face activity throughout the quadrimester related to the practical essay(s). In their case, this assessment test will consist solely of completing a written assignment that will follow the same guidelines that govern the assignment for students in the continuous assessment and that will be submitted on the day indicated by the professors in the first week of the quadrimester.

Students will be able to access the resit exam provided that the evaluation activities have been handed in or completed within the deadlines established by the subject's lecturers. The same assessment method as continuous assessment will be used.

Students will obtain a Not assessed/Not submitted course grade unless they have submitted more than 30% of the assessment items.

The scheduling of the evaluation tests cannot be modified, except in duly justified exceptional cases. Erasmus students who wish to advance an exam, will have to present to the teaching staff a written document from their home university justifying their request.

In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.

Those evaluation acts in which there are irregularities (copying, plagiarism, unauthorized use of digital watches, smartphones, headphones or other similar devices) will be graded with a 0 and will not be recoverable.

This subject entirely prohibits the use of AI technologiesin all of its activities. Any submitted work that contains content generated using AI will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade will be awarded a zero, without the possibility of reassessment. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.

In all exercises, spelling, clarity of exposition and correctness of writing will be assessed. Serious faults in these aspects may result in the failure of the subject.

Throughout the quadrimester, a trip lasting several days can be planned, an activity that will be voluntary and will have no effect on the final grade. The professors will inform about the characteristics of this trip, related to the theoretical and practical content of the course, at thebeginning of the term. Students will have to assume the travel, accommodation and food expenses generated during the trip.


Bibliography

Recommended basic bibliography

Arias Guillén, Fernando: Las cruzadas. La guerra santa cristiana. Madrid: Catarata, 2023.

Astarita, Carlos: Revolución en el burgo. Movimientos comunales en la Edad Media: España y Europa. Madrid: Akal, 2019.

Bartlett, Robert: La formación de Europa. Conquista, civilización y cambio cultural, 950-1350. València: Publicacions Universitat de València, 2003.

Bartlett, Robert: Blood Royal: Dynastic Politics in Medieval Europe. Cambridge University Press, 2021.

Baschet, Jérôme: La civilización feudal. Europa del año mil a la colonización de América. Ciudad de México: Fondo de Cultura Económica, 2010.

Bois, Guy: La gran depresión medieval: siglos XIV-XV. El precedente de una crisis sistémica. València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2001.

Boucheron, Patrick, Denis Menjot & Marc Boone: Historia de la Europa Urbana. II. La ciudad medieval. València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2010.

Blockmans, Wim & Peter Hoppenbrouwers: Introduction to Medieval Europe 300-1500. Routledge: Taylar & Francis Group, 2023.

Cohn, Norman: En pos del milenio. Revolucionarios, milenaristas y anarquistas místicos de la Edad Media. Logroño: Ed. Pepitas de calabaza, 2015.

Contamine, Philippe, Marc Bompaire, Stéphane Lebecq & Jean-Luc Sarrazin: La economía medieval. Madrid: Akal, 2000.

Fiore, Alessandro & Alma Poloni: L’economia medieval. Un profilo storico (seccoli V-XV). Carocci Editori, 2024.

García Sanjuán, Alejandro: Las sociedades islámicas clásicas (siglos VII-XV). Madrid: Editorial Síntesis, 2022.

Herrin, Judith: Bizancio: el imperio que hizo posible la Europa Moderna. Barcelona: Editorial Debate, 2022.

Ladero Quesada, Miguel Ángel: Historia de la Edad Media. Siglos IV a XV. Madrid: Editorial Dykinson, 2025.

Mitre Fernández, Emilio: La Iglesia en la Edad Media. Madrid: Editorial Síntesis, 2010.

Morsel, Joseph: La aristocracia medieval: el dominio social en Occidente, siglos V-XV. València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2008.

Paul, Jacques: El cristianismo occidental en la Edad Media. València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2016.

Tyerman, Christopher: The Crusades. A very short introduction. Oxford University Press, 2005 (on line

https://csuc-uab.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991010486585106709&context=L&vid

Watts, John: La formación de los sistemas políticos. Europa (1300-1500). València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València.

Wickham, Chris: Europa en la Edad Media. Una nueva interpretación. Barcelona: Editorial Crítica, 2017.

 

Complementary bibliography

Beach, Alison I. & Isabelle Cochelin (ed.): The Cambridge History of Medieval Monaticism in the Latin West. Volumnes 1 and 2. Cambridge University Press, 2020.

Black, Antony: El pensamiento político en Europa, 1250-1450. Madrid: Akal, 2003.

Calvo Gómez, José Antonio: El clero y los religiosos en la Edad Media. Madrid: Editorial Síntesis, 2017.

Contamine, Philippe: La guerra en la Edad Media. Barcelona: Labor, 1984.

Contamine, Philippe: La guerra de los Cien Años. Madrid: Rialp: 2021.

De Ayala, Carlos & José Santiago Palacios (coord.): Hombres de religión y guerra santa en la Edad Media peninsular. Madrid: Sílex, 2018.

Epstein, Stephan R.: Libertad y crecimiento. El desarrollo de los estados y de los mercados en Europa, 1300-1750. València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2009.

Epstein, Steven A.: Urban Society. En David Abulafia (ed.): The New Cambridge Medieval History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016, p. 26-37.

García Espada, Antonio: El imperio mongol. Madrid: Editorial Síntesis, 2017.

Guijarro González, Susana: Enseñanzas, saberes y universidades en la Europa medieval. Madrid: Editorial Síntesis, 2018.

Faci Lacasta, Javier: Introducción al mundo bizantino. Madrid: Síntesis, 1996.

Feller, Laurent: Campesinos y señores en la Edad Media:siglos VIII-XV. València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2015.

Hilton, Rodney: L'alliberament dels serfs. Els moviments camperols medievals i la revolta anglesa de 1381. València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2013.

Kennedy, Hugh: Las grandes conquistas árabes. Barcelona: Grupo Planeta, 2007.

Kula, Witold: Teoria econòmica del sistema feudal. València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2009.

Maalouf, Amin: Las cruzadas vistas por lo árabes. Madrid: Alianza editorial, 1989.

Mitre Fernández, Emilio (coord.): Historia del cristianismo. II. El mundo medieval. Madrid: Trotta, 2013.

Monsalvo Antón, José Maria: Los conflictos sociales en la Edad Media. Madrid Editorial Síntesis, 2016.

Ostrogorski, Georgije: Historia del Estado bizantino. Madrid: Akal, 1983.

Porrinas, David: El Cid. Historia y mito de un señor de la guerra. Madrid: Desperta Ferro Ediciones, 2019.

Reyerson, Kathrin L.: Commerce and Communications. En David Abulafia (ed.): The New Cambridge Medieval History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016, 50-70.

Schofield, Phillip: Peasants and historians. Debating the Medieval English Peasantry. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2016.

Tyerman, Christopher: Las guerras de Dios. Una nueva historia de las cruzadas. Barcelona: Editorial Crítica, 2010.

Vinyoles Vidal, Teresa: Història de les dones a la Catalunya medieval. Lleida: Pagès Editors, 2005.

 

How to cite and preparate the bibliography: https://www.uab.cat/web/estudia-iinvestiga/com-citar-i-elaborar-la-bibliografia-1345708785665.html


Software

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Groups and Languages

Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 2 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 2 Catalan second semester morning-mixed