Martiality and sociality: Cultural histories of violence in late-medieval Europe 3700-AL-MSCH-QSP
The course focuses on the analysis of martiality – a term loosely translatable as “the cultivation of combativeness” – as a phenomenon with a crucial social dimension (sociality) within the urban communities of late-medieval Europe. It integrates approaches from cultural history, social history, and violence studies, allowing students to critically examine the diverse manifestations of martial preparedness and the regulation of violence in social, emotional, and symbolic contexts. The course is based on the reading of historical sources (primarily from Germany, England, France, and Italy) and scholarly literature. Participants will become acquainted with theoretical frameworks concerning the ritualisation of violence, the martial dimensions of civic identity, and the social roles of fighters and martial instructors. The course also addresses contemporary revivals of martial culture discourse.
Throughout the semester, we will clarify key terminological issues – including distinctions between aggression, bravery, and martiality from anthropological, sociological, and psychological perspectives. We will explore physical violence as a component of social life which, in medieval contexts, was not necessarily dysfunctional. Drawing on historical and archaeological sources left by late-medieval martial practitioners from Central and Western Europe, students will gain insights into the microhistory of lives devoted to the exploration of violence and combat.
Estimated student workload: approximately 75–90 hours.
Koordynatorzy przedmiotu
Rodzaj przedmiotu
Założenia (opisowo)
Efekty uczenia się
K_W02: Use terminology from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences relevant to the study of violence, martial culture, and cultural history.
K_W03: Understand the disciplinary relations between cultural history, social history, violence studies, and related fields.
K_W05: Demonstrate familiarity with the latest interdisciplinary research methods applicable to the study of martiality and social identity.
K_U02: Select and apply appropriate research tools to analyse historical sources (e.g., chronicles, legal codes, fight books) and scholarly texts.
K_U04: Formulate a research problem within the humanities relating to violence, martial culture, and social identity.
K_U05: Apply interdisciplinary research methods to the analysis of cultural phenomena related to martiality and civic identity.
K_U07: Complete a written academic assignment using digital tools and respecting intellectual property rights.
K_U10: Plan and record a podcast on a historical topic for a general audience.
K_U11: Understand and know how to implement the principles of teamwork while jointly interpreting historical sources and preparing a speech.
K_K03: Independently select and apply appropriate methods to carry out scholarly tasks related to the study of martiality and social identity.
K_K05: Demonstrate empathy and respect for cultural diversity, including the historical variability of values concerning violence.
K_K07: Respect the cultural diversity represented in the source material and scholarly traditions examined in the course.
Kryteria oceniania
- Attendance, participation, and preparation (50%)
- Short written assignment (5–7 pages): case study analysing a selected aspect of martial culture based on sources and literature (50%)
Literatura
Kaeuper, R. (1999). Chivalry and Violence in Medieval Europe. Oxford University Press.
Tlusty, B. A. (2011). The Martial Ethic in Early Modern Germany: Civic Duty and the Right of Arms. Springer.
Nakashian, C. M. (2016). Warrior Churchmen of Medieval England, 1000–1250. Boydell and Brewer.
Jaquet, D., Tzouriadis, I.-E., Schmid, R. (2023). Martial Culture in Medieval Towns: An Anthology. Schwabe Verlag.
Chao, H., Jaquet, D., Kim, L. (2023). Martial Culture and Historical Martial Arts in Europe and Asia. Springer.