HIST 321 - Studies in Medieval History

CR: 3
The millennium separating antiquity and the Renaissance witnessed the rise of Western Christianity and capitalism, the “invention” of romantic love, the development of Islamic science and the Black Death. Topics will vary by semester. Topic for Fall 2020: “The Age of Plague.” The fourteenth century witnessed the most virulent outbreak of a pandemic disease in western history. The Black Death caused mortality rates of up to 60 percent of the entire populations in places such as Italy. It arrived from China via merchant ships in 1348 and took its toll for the following four months. The Plague then returned to most of Europe every 15-20 years, only abating in the mid-17th century. This course will investigate the causes of the pandemic, the responses put in place by the communities that were affected, and how and why the Plague finally diminished after 300 years. We will read accounts of witnesses who survived the Plague and will consider parallels with the current COVID-19 outbreak. Offered alternate years. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. III.W