- Teacher: Mackenzie Acheson
- Teacher: Fikru Gebrekidan
In this course we will explore the impact of diseases, whether pandemic, epidemic, or endemic, on the course of World History in the premodern period. From ancient times to the dawn of the Industrial Revolution (and beyond), diseases and their results have been constant factors in shaping human history. Yet because they were so poorly documented, understanding precisely how diseases spread and impacted different societies—even being certain about just what diseases actually existed, and how many were really affected by their spread—has long posed historiographic challenges. Recent scientific advances have begun to transform our understanding of historical disease patterns, shedding new light on many old questions. Our main focal points will be the "Black Death" pandemic disaster of the fourteenth century; the discovery, treatment, and moralizing of endemic syphilis in early modern Europe; and the genocidal effects of smallpox epidemics in the context of North American colonialism. Other related topics may also be addressed according to student interest. 3 credit hours.
- Teacher: Robin Vose
This course deals with the history of the Christian Church, from the time of pope Gregory the Great in the sixth century to the agonizingly drawn-out conclusion of a major papal schism in the fifteenth. We will primarily study the Western or “Latin” Church, but contemporary developments in and relations with Churches in the East will also be noted. Themes will focus on changing organizational forms, modes of authority and expressions of piety. Anticipated topics to be covered include diversity in the Church, conversions of so-called “barbarian” peoples, clashes between the Church and its non-Christian neighbours, monasticism, scholasticism, papal reform, inquisition, heresy, and lay (especially female) piety. A special project will involve collaborative student research on one of the key periods in the emergence of an inquisitorial papal monarchy at Avignon: the controversial reign of pope Benedict XII. Please note this is not a course in theology. Prior knowledge of medieval history is helpful but not required. 3 credits.
- Teacher: Robin Vose