L03_ch10-High Middle Ages_Revival of Learning

Timeline: 11th - 13th C.

FS: It's not the university, its the student!

Main Idea: Despite the false accusations that the Medieval European era was
dominated by a lack of academic endeavors and achievement, there was significant
progress in this area. From the earliest universities (many of which are now
prestigious), come great thinkers in the guise of teachers. Their students? The great
thinkers who will lay a foundation for the creativity yet to come in the next era.

PO: SWBAT...
● Describe three conditions that encouraged the founding and funding of
universities.
● List three characteristics of Europe's earliest universities.
● Identify a major academic field and who contributed to it in Europe's earliest
universities.
Do Now: TBRSchooling through the ages. How was it done?
The who, what, where, and how of education during the historical periods of...
Classical (Europe & China)
Medieval (Europe)
Modern (Present Day- Western World)
I. Conditions Leading to a "Learning" Revival
A. Powerful monarchs needed literate administrators to govern.
B. The destruction of monasteries by Viking raids reduced the Church's ability
to educate its parisheners and clergy.
C. Wealthy (commercially successful) towns can afford to sponsor teachers.
D. Curiosity of other peoples and places (motivated by commercial contact)
fueled literary growth.1
II. The "University"
A. University: A "group" of experts, not a "building".
B. As early as the 12th C., universities appeared in
1. Paris, France
2. Bologna, Italy
3. Oxford, England
C. Students
1. All male.
2. Predominantly middle-class (Burghers)
3. Books were scarce, expensive, often copied and read verbatim
outloud.
D. Classes often held in rooms or church space.
III. What was taught and who taught it?
Ponder: Major 12th C. debate=> Can classical (pagan) works be used in the education of medieval
European Christians?
A. Linking 'Faith' with 'Reason'
1. Thomas Aquinas- 13th C. (Now a saint in the Roman Catholic faith)
a. University of Paris
b. Dominican Friar
c. Summa Theologiae
2. John of Paris (13th - 14th C.)
a. Dominican Friar
b. Treatise on Royal and Papal Power
B. Putting Emotions to Words
Poetry, reflecting the developing social view of knights, becomes popular.
Troubadours: Composed and sang poems often aimed at a love interest.
IV. Summary Activity

1
The writings of John Mandeville and Marco Polo would be examples of this.
Curriculum Linkage (PDF file)
Unit Two: Expanding Zones of Exchange & Encounter (500 - 1200 CE)
Section F 4b - 6
Materials/Sources: Refer to the course calendar for additional materials, assignments and pertinent
due dates.
● Perspectives on the Past
● Slide Presentation