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The Formation of Europe 5th to 11th Centuries

Code: 100361
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Archaeology OP 4
History OB 2

Contact lecturer

Name :
Ramón Marti Castello
Email :
ramon.marti@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Ferran Esquilache Marti

Group languages

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

Prerequisites

Those established by the regulations of the degree: having completed the subject "Introduction to Medieval History" or "Medieval History" of the first year, in order to have achieved the minimum knowledge about the great processes of the Middle Ages in space and time. On this basis, the content of the syllabus corresponding to the studied period will be deepened.

Objectives

In this subject will be deepened on the great socio-economic, political and cultural processes that occurred between the 5th and 11th centuries in the territory that would later be Europe. Thus, the past of European societies are studied from the disappearance of the Western Roman Empire to the formation and consolidation of feudalism in post-Carolingian societies. The economic and social aspects and the ideological constructions, in relation to the constitution of the high medieval kingdoms and the emergence of feudalism in the context of the dismemberment of the Carolingian Empire will be analyzed as a priority. For all these reasons, it will be necessary to examine the practices developed during late antiquity that lasted until the early medieval period, how they were transformed during this period, under what production guidelines and social order were organized, and what new ideological expressions they deployed between the 5th and 11th centuries. Although the central reference of the subject will be European history, it will be necessary to explain the connections with the processes that occur in the Middle East and North Africa, and all this, in relation to the diffusion of Christianity, formation and expansion of Islam and the Cesaropapism of the Eastern Empire. All these processes lay the foundations of the idea of Europe, which will be riveted in subsequent centuries until it is internally constituted and projected abroad. This is why it is so important to look for the roots, the origins and the bases of the hegemony of Europe in the world.

Learning outcomes

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

Contents

1. The debate on the formation of feudalism


2. Late Roman society and taxation


3. The Germanic successor states


4. East during the 5th and 6th centuries


5. Arab expansion and the Umayyad state


6. The Abbasid state and Islamization


7. Al-Andalus, an Islamic society in the West


8. Construction and failure of the Carolingian empire


9. The dominical system


10. The new territorial principalities


11. Feudalism and the Peace of God


12. Gregorian reform and Crusade

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Personal study and reading of texts 75 3 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41
Tutoring 15 0.6 34, 39, 41, 42
Theoretical lectures and practices led by the teacher 60 2.4 40, 41, 42, 43

DIRECTED ACTIVITY 35%
Attendance at theoretical lessons led by the teacher.
Attendance to sessions of seminars and practices led by the teacher.
Comprehensive reading of texts.
SUPERVISED ACTIVITY 10%
Tutoring in the preparation of the proposed assignments
AUTONOMOUS ACTIVITY 55%
Personal study
Preparation of oral presentations.
Making reviews, assignments and analytical comments.

  • It is only allowed to enter the classroom during the first 5 minutes of the lesson and only to leave the classroom during the last 5 minutes of the lesson.
  • No food or drinks may be consumed during the class.
  • Students may not consult their mobile phones during class.
  • Any duly justified exception to these rules must be explicitly approved in advance by the professor.
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

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Two partial tracking tests for the subject 60% (30%+30%) 0 0 1, 5, 7, 16, 17, 23, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44
Attendance, participation and progression of the course 10% 0 0 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 32, 35, 36, 37, 39, 41, 45
Assignments, reviews, summaries and analytical comments 30% 0 0 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 43

The subject is evaluated by applying the following procedures:


Continuous assessment

1. Two partial tests: 60% final grade (30%+30%)

2. Assignments, reviews, summaries, analytical comments on texts, and other proposed documents (tables, graphs, maps, images ...) and preparation of oral comments or seminars: 30%

3. Attendance, participation and progression: 10%

Erasmus and exchange students who request to advance an exam must present a document from their home university justifying their request.


Single assessment

Choosing the single assessment exempt the student from attending classes.

1. A single test: 70% final grade

2. Assignments, reviews, summaries, analytical comments on texts, and other proposed documents (tables, graphs, maps, images ...) and preparation of oral comments or seminars: 30%


Only the evaluation activities delivered within the deadlines established by the teacher will be recovered. To participate in the recovery, students must have been previously evaluated in a set of activities that is equivalent to a minimum of 2/3 of the total grade (continuous assessment) or submit all the tests provided (single assessment). Practices (30%) and participation, attendance and progression (10%) do not recover.

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

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 several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.

On carrying out each evaluation activity, lecturers 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.

The particular cases will receive, as it could not be otherwise, a specific treatment.

This subject entirely prohibits the use of AI technologies in 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.


Assessment dates can’t be changed unless there’s an exceptional and well-justified reason.

If a student has a documented chronic or acute illness, they can request to postpone the assessment, if it fits within the academic calendar. These requests must be submitted at least seven days in advance and include the required documentation. If the reason is an unexpected situation considered force majeure, the regulations allow the request to be submitted after the scheduled date, provided the documentation is delivered within three working days. This includes situations such as the birth or adoption of a child, or the death of a partner or a close relative (up to second degree). In cases of illness or other circumstances, the documentation must clearly show that the student was not in a condition to take the assessment at the scheduled time. Teaching staff may also use their discretion to consider other circumstances not explicitly listed above.

Erasmus students who need to leave before the scheduled assessment dates must provide an official document from their home university, addressed to the Degree Exchange Coordinator, confirming a calendar conflict (an overlap with academic activities at their home institution).



Bibliography

AA.DD.: Historia General de Africa. III. Africa entre los siglos VII y XI, Tecnos / Unesco, Madrid 1992.

BARTLETT, Robert: La formación de Europa. Conquista, civilización y cambio cultural, 950-1350. Publicacions de la Universitat de València (PUV), 2003.

BONNASSIE, Pierre: La Catalogne du milieu du Xe a la fin du XIe siècle. Croissance et mutations d'une société, Toulouse 1975-1976 (traducció catalana Edicions 62).

BOUTRUCHE, Robert: Señorío y feudalismo, Siglo XXI, Madrid 1970-1980.

CAMERON, Averil: El Mundo mediterráneo en la antigüedad tardía, 395-600, Crítica, Barcelona 1998.

CHALMETA, Pedro: Invasión e islamización, Editorial Mapfre, Madrid 1994.

DURLIAT, Jean: Les finances publiques de Diocletien aux carolingiens (284-889), Jhan Thorbecke Verlag Sigmaringen 1990.

FLORY, Jean: La guerra santa. La formación de la idea de cruzada en el Occidente cristiano, Granada 2003.

GUERREAU, Alain: El feudalismo, un horizonte teórico, Crítica, Barcelona 1984.

HALPHEN, Louis: Charlemagne et l'Empire Carolingien, Paris 1947 (traducció castellana, Akal).

KING, P. D.: Derecho y sociedad en el reino visigodo, Alianza Ed., Madrid 1981.

MANTRAN, Robert: La expansión musulmana, Nueva Clio, Barcelona 1982.

MOORE, R. I.: La primera revolución Europea, 980-1250. Crítica, Barcelona, 2002.

POLY, Jean P. – BOURNAZEL, Éric: El cambio feudal: siglos X-XII, Labor, Barcelona 1983.

SHABAN, M.H.: Historia del islam, Guadarrama, Madrid 1976.

TOUBERT, Pierre: Europa en su primer crecimiento: de Carlomagno al año mil, València – Granada 2006.

WICKHAM, Chris: Una Historia nueva de la Alta Edad Media: Europa y el mundo mediterráneo,400-800, Crítica, Barcelona 2009.

Software

No specific programming required

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 2 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 2 Catalan first semester morning-mixed