| MEDV 5110: Research Methods & Bibliography |
| Number of credits: |
15 Leeds Credits |
| Co-ordinating Tutor: |
Mary Swan |
| Semester: |
1 |
| Tutors: |
Catherine Batt (English), Alan V. Murray (IMS)
Oliver Pickering (Brotherton Library)
Mary Swan (IMS) |
| Objectives of module: |
a) to acquire the ability to present work in correct scholarly form;
b) to develop a systematic appreciation and use of a wide range of bibliographies, reference
works and instruments de travail
c) to gain an awareness of different methods of carrying out |
| Outline syllabus: |
| This module offers students training in core skills and use of resources applicable to a wide
range of subjects in medieval studies. Individual classes will address specific problems encountered by
students at this level and practical guidance in solving these, for instance: research methodologies,
referencing, selection and use of style-sheets, proof-reading and correction, compilation of bibliographies,
presentation of dissertations. They will also demonstrate systematic methods for accessing data: for
instance, use of library resources, electronic data, instruments de travail and other
bibliographical guides. Students undertake a review article and a survey of research or a critical
bibliography on a chosen subject submitted in correct scholarly form. |
| Form of teaching: |
11 two-hour seminars |
| Form and timing of assessment: |
2 written assignments of a combined total of 2500 words (80%); plus one 1-hour examination at end of semester (20%). |
| MEDV 5120: Manuscript Studies |
| Number of credits: |
15 Leeds Credits |
| Co-ordinating Tutor: |
Oliver Pickering |
| Semester: |
2 |
| Tutors: |
Oliver Pickering (Brotherton Library), Mary Swan (Institute for Medieval Studies) |
| Pre-requisites: |
MEDV 5010 or MEDV 5020 in semester 1 (or equivalent) |
| Objectives of module: |
a) to develop the ability to read a variety of western European hands
b) to develop the ability to recognise symbols of abbreviation
c) to develop the ability to transcribe manuscripts accurately |
| Outline syllabus: |
| The module focuses on palaeographical training, familiarising students with a range of
scripts used in different kinds of documents from Carolingian to late medieval times. The central
weeks of the module will follow a chronological sequence. The examples to be used include formal
European and English book-hands, a variety of cursive documentary hands, and cursive book-hands.
The languages in which the scripts are written include Latin, French and English. Considerable use
will be made of the online medieval palaeography tutorial, based on manuscripts held by the Brotherton
Library. There will also be consideration of contextual issues, including the techniques and materials
of medieval writing, literacy and the politics of script, and the idea of forgery. |
| Form of teaching: |
11 two-hour seminars |
| Form and timing of assessment: |
3 written assignments, involving transcription of documents, of a combined length of c.2500 words. |
| MEDV 5010: Medieval Latin |
| Number of credits: |
60 Leeds Credits |
| Co-ordinating Tutor: |
William Flynn (IMS) |
| Semester: |
1 and 2 |
| Objectives of module: |
| This module is for beginners, or near-beginners. Students will complete the module with a
strong knowledge of Latin syntax and grammar. They will be able to parse unseen passages, identifying
the grammatical function of words, and generally understand syntax, be it classical or medieval. They
will be able to identify the medieval orthography of classical words as well as their derivatives. They
will also have enough knowledge of vocabulary to translate short passages of intermediate difficulty,
being sensitive to the various literary genres of medieval Latin. |
| Outline syllabus: |
| Students will spend a considerable amount of time on grammar and syntax, either in learning
ab nihilo or in review. They will then progress to reading short passages from the Latin Vulgate
Bible, concentrating mainly on historical narratives, although there will be some readings in Biblical
poetry. After a short session on medieval orthography, students will spend the remainder of the module
reading selected texts which represent the various literary genres of medieval Latin. These selections
may include texts from chronicles and diplomatic sources, law and politics, philosophy and theology,
hagiography and liturgy, and Latin literature and poetry. |
| Form of teaching: |
Weekly two hour class |
| Form and timing of assessment: |
1-hour departmental examination at end of semester 1, during semester 2 four half-hour assessed tests
of which the student’s best two will count towards the final mark and a 3-hour University
examination at end of semester 2. |
| MEDV 5020: Advanced Medieval Latin |
| Number of credits: |
30 Leeds Credits |
| Co-ordinating Tutor: |
William Flynn (IMS) |
| Semester: |
1 and 2 |
| Objectives of module: |
This module is for students who have already done a substantial amount of Latin.
Students will complete the module with a strong knowledge of Latin syntax and grammar. They will be able to
parse unseen passages, identifying the grammatical function of words, and generally understand syntax, be it
classical or medieval. They will be able to identify the medieval orthography of classical words as well as
their derivatives. They will also have enough knowledge of vocabulary to translate short passages of some
difficulty, being sensitive to the various literary genres of medieval Latin. |
| Outline syllabus: |
| Students will spend as much time as is necessary revising grammar and syntax. They will
then read passages from the Latin Vulgate Bible, concentrating mainly on historical narratives, although
there will be some readings in Biblical poetry. The remainder of the module will be spent in reading
selected texts which represent the various literary genres of medieval Latin. These selections may
include texts from chronicles and diplomatic sources, law and politics, philosophy and theology,
hagiography and liturgy, and Latin literature and poetry. |
| Form of teaching: |
Weekly one-hour class |
| Form and timing of assessment: |
1-hour departmental examination at end of semester 1, 3-hour University examination at end of semester 2. |
| MEDV 5040: Medieval Arabic |
| Number of credits: |
60 Leeds Credits |
| Tutor: |
Dionisius Agius (Arabic) |
| Semester: |
1 and 2 |
| Pre-requisites: |
No pre-requisites, but evidence of language ability. |
| Objectives of module: |
a) to provide the principles of phonology and script
b) to provide an introduction to the basic grammar of Arabic
c) to provide oral and aural skills in Arabic
d) to develop confidence and facility in the reading and precise interpretation of
texts in one particular Arabic genre, literary or documentary |
| Outline syllabus: |
This module follows the tuition for ARAB 1010 and ARAB 1011, supplemented by 6 tutorials on
medieval Arabic texts in semester 2. Separate examinations appropriate to medieval students are given.
Semester 1: phonology and script grammar - morphology:
(i) nouns and adjectives - cases, gender and number
(ii) pronouns, prepositions, adverbs, numerals
(iii) verb system - aspects; ground verbs an introduction to translation techniquesoral and aural activities
Semester 2: grammar - morphology grammar - syntax:
(i) word order
(ii) sentence and phrase types
(iii) concordance translation techniques oral and aural activities reading module in medieval Arabic texts |
| Form of teaching: |
Lectures and practicals; with 6 tutorials in semester 2 |
| Form and timing of assessment: |
Practical exercises in each semester
Two 3-hour examinations at end of each semester
Oral and aural examinations at end of each semester |