ME3430 The Papal Monarchy: Popes, Emperors and Kings in the High Middle Ages

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr F G Hill

Dr F G Hill
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Felicity Hill

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will look at the rise of the papacy in the high middle ages. The growing influence of the papacy led to numerous political clashes between the papacy and emperors and kings, caused by both ideological and practical disagreements. By the early thirteenth century the pope was an immensely powerful figure. He intervened in kingdoms? politics, affected the day-to-day lives of ordinary people through papal councils and canon law, and had authority over clergy throughout Europe. Understanding the importance and influence of the papacy is fundamental to the study of European history in this period. Many of the changes in society, politics and beliefs are directly connected to papal policies and acts. The module will explore both historiography and focus on primary sources. It is structured thematically and broadly chronologically.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS 60 CREDITS FROM {ME1003, ME1006, ME2003, HI2001, MH2002}

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 40%, Coursework = 60%

Re-assessment

4000 word Essay = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2-hour seminar, plus 1 office hour.

Scheduled learning hours

22

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

278

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • By the end of the module, students will be able to understand the high medieval papacy and analyse its development
  • By the end of the module, students will be able to write a structured, coherent and analytical argument
  • By the end of the module, students will be able to demonstrate advanced analytical skills in interpretation and evaluation of primary sources of various types
  • By the end of the module, students will be able to identify how historians construct arguments in the context of papal historiography