Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon successful completion students should be able to:

• Articulate and interpret an understanding of key historical facts and events in late medieval and early modern Europe.
• Identify the influence of culturally based practices, values, and beliefs to analyze how historically defined meanings of difference affect human behavior.
• Identify and investigate historical theses, evaluate information and its sources, and use appropriate reasoning to construct evidence-based arguments on historical issues.
• Construct a well organized historical argument using effective, appropriate, and accurate language.

Assess by using any combination of the following:

• Exams
• Essays
• Oral Presentations
• Research projects
• Service-Learning projects
• Class participation and discussion
• Other creative assignments

Competencies and Skills:

Analyze and evaluate primary and secondary sources:

• Connect evidence to its relevant historical context
• Analyze and evaluate written, artistic, or other evidence
• Assess the motivation and purpose of evidence

Evaluate different interpretations of past events and construct your own interpretation:

• Identify a historian’s thesis and supporting evidence
• Evaluate the arguments used to support different interpretations of historical issues
• Develop your own thesis and historical interpretation and use evidence to support it

Think critically about the relationship between past and present events and issues:

• Recognize and identify historical roots and parallels to current issues

Compare and contrast the experience of diverse groups in society:

• Listen to and appreciate the experience of students from a variety of  backgrounds
• Assess the contributions and experiences of various groups in society

Demonstrate college-level communications skills with an emphasis on writing (and may include listening and speaking):

• Communicate effectively in writing about a historical topic
• Communicate in writing an understanding of historical process and an evaluation of how concepts or values change over time

Clearly articulate thoughts and ideas to a particular audience which may include:

• Working collaboratively with other students to evaluate and understand historical events
• Working collaboratively with others in discussions, debate, or role plays
• Presenting information in oral presentations

Themes, Concepts, Issues:

• High and Late Medieval Culture:
  • Growth of towns and commerce
  • The Crusades
  • Growth of national monarchies
  • Rise of universities
  • Scholasticism
  • Arts and letters
• Crises of the Late Middle Ages:
  • Black Death
  • Hundred Years’ War
  • Babylonian Captivity and Great Schism
• Renaissance
• Commercial Revolution
• Overseas Expansion and Colonization
• Protestant and Catholic Reformations
• Religious Wars
• Absolutism
• Scientific Revolution
• Enlightenment
• French Revolution

Considering such factors as:

• Geography
• Social hierarchy
• Political, legal, and economic structures
• Cultural contributions
• Philosophies and religions