MEDMgr02 Turning points in Mediterranean history

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2017
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. PhDr. Jarmila Bednaříková, CSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Katarina Petrovićová, Ph.D.
Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Erlebachová
Supplier department: Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
each even Tuesday 12:30–14:05 B2.44
Prerequisites
!OBOR(DST) && !OBOR(DEST)
Orientation in the history of the Mediterranean at the bachelor's degree in Mediterranean studies (see course syllabus MED03 and MED04).
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 13 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course describes peculiarities in the development of the Mediterranean in antiquity and the early Middle Ages with respect to geological, geographic and climatic conditions, as well as its relationships with other ancient civilizations. It emphasises the importance of ancient cultures for the development of civilization and culture in Europe by giving reasons for the changes which took place in the Mediterranean and evaluating their consequences. Last but not least, it compares the development of the Mediterranean and of Central Europe and describe the parallels and differences between them.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able: - to describe peculiarities in the development of the Mediterranean in antiquity and the early Middle Ages with respect to geological, geographic and climatic conditions, as well as its relationships with other ancient civilizations.
- to judge the importance of ancient cultures for the development of civilization and culture in Europe, give reasons for the changes which took place in the Mediterranean and evaluate their consequences.
- to compare the development of the Mediterranean and of Central Europe and describe the parallels and differences between them.
Syllabus
  • 1) Introduction: Geological formation of the Mediterranean, evolution of its climate from the Palaeolithic era to the Middle Ages, Mediterranean flora and fauna, reservoirs of minerals in the Mediterranean.
  • 2) First break-through of civilization: the oldest agricultural civilizations and changes in the types of their settlement: Asia Minor, Egypt, Greece and Italy.
  • 3) Bronze Age in the Mediterranean, first bearers of its culture known for their language and ethnicity. The Mediterranean and migration of the Indo-Europeans.
  • 4) The Mediterranean under the influence of the Near East advanced civilizations, creation of state organization and writing system.
  • 5) The issue of independency of the Mediterranean´s development: Greece and its culture in relationship with other Mediterranean areas and the oldest world´s civilizations.
  • 6) Ethnic groups and languages in the territory of ancient Italy. Indo-Europeans and the others. Italian Iron Age (from the 12th century BC).
  • 7) Migration of nations between 13th and 11th centuries BC and its influence on the Mediterranean.
  • 8) Consequences of Roman domination in the Mediterranean.
  • 9) New ethnic groups in the Mediterranean in the 4th and 5th centuries BC (migration of Celts, the peak of the Great Migration). Consequences of transition from antiquity to the Middle Ages.
  • 10) Dismemberment of the Mediterranean in the era of Muslim conquest. Cultural contribution of Muslims in the Mediterranean.
  • 11) Byzantine Empire in the battle for the Mediterranean. The Kingdom of Franks as the great power in Europe and its impact on the Mediterranean.
  • 12) Slavs and their settlement, acculturation and cultural contribution in the Mediterranean.
  • 13) Summary: the Mediterranean as the centre of multi-ethnical cultural development.
Literature
    required literature
  • Bednaříková, Jarmila: Stěhování národů. Praha: Vyšehrad 2007.
  • Dějiny Byzance. Praha 1994.
  • Bednaříková, J. – Homola, A.- Měřínský, Z: Stěhování národů a východ Evropy. Praha: Vyšehrad 2006.
  • Bednaříková, J. – Homola, A.- Měřínský, Z: Stěhování národů a východ Evropy. Praha: Vyšehrad 2006.
  • Dvořák Josef.: Geologická minulost země. Praha 1972.
  • Burian, Jan.-Oliva, Pavel: Dějiny antického Středomoří. Praha 1984.
  • Burian, Jan. Římské impérium :vrchol a proměny antické civilizace. Vyd. 2., dopl. Praha : NS Svoboda, 1997. 237 s. ISBN 80-205-0536-9. info
    recommended literature
  • A. A. Bartoněk: Písmo a jazyk mykénské řečtiny. Praha 2007.
  • Childe, Gordon: Na prahu dějin. Praha 1966.
  • Burian, Jan. Římské impérium :vrchol a proměny antické civilizace. Vyd. 2., dopl. Praha : NS Svoboda, 1997. 237 s. ISBN 80-205-0536-9. info
  • Urbanová, Daniela – Blažek, Václav: Národy starověké Itálie, jejich jazyky a písma. Brno 2008.
  • Bednaříková, Jarmila: Attila. Hunové, Řím a Evropa. Praha: Vyšehrad 2012.
  • Češka, Josef. Zánik antického světa. Praha 2000.
  • Dahlheim, W.: U kolébky Evropy. Praha 2006.
  • Kysučan, L.: Oni a my. Olomouc 2010.
Teaching methods
Lectures, reading of historical sources at home
Assessment methods
Written test aimed at testing student's insight into the topics explained during semester.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2013, Spring 2015.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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