2025
Themes of Medieval History of Portugal
Name: Themes of Medieval History of Portugal
Code: HIS02402L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
History
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Presentation
This curricular unit aims to deepen previously identified themes that, as a whole, provide a holistic view on the evolution of Portugal during the medieval period. The contents of this curricular unit are articulated with those of the curricular unit of Medieval History of Portugal.
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
1. To understand the social, cultural, economic, and institutional evolution of medieval Portugal.
2. To identify the institutions, agents, and elements of continuity and rupture over time.
3. To acquire basic knowledge of historiographical debates and research topics in the history of medieval Portugal.
4. To acknowledge the relevance of the medieval roots of Portuguese history in the long term, in its relation to social, cultural, political, economic, and heritage legacies.
5. To grasp historiographical concepts related to each thematic area.
6. To foster autonomy and academic initiative when conducting research with primary and secondary sources.
7. To develop a critical reading spirit and the ability to analyse the past both individually and collectively.
8. To encourage the critical use of digital tools for scientific and educational purposes, supporting a heuristic, methodological, and analytical approach aligned with the learning objectives.
2. To identify the institutions, agents, and elements of continuity and rupture over time.
3. To acquire basic knowledge of historiographical debates and research topics in the history of medieval Portugal.
4. To acknowledge the relevance of the medieval roots of Portuguese history in the long term, in its relation to social, cultural, political, economic, and heritage legacies.
5. To grasp historiographical concepts related to each thematic area.
6. To foster autonomy and academic initiative when conducting research with primary and secondary sources.
7. To develop a critical reading spirit and the ability to analyse the past both individually and collectively.
8. To encourage the critical use of digital tools for scientific and educational purposes, supporting a heuristic, methodological, and analytical approach aligned with the learning objectives.
Contents
1. Demography and society
1.1 Sources for the study of historical demography
1.2 Population evolution and migrations
1.3 Social hierarchy and mobility
1.4 Economic expansion, royal politics, and social complexification
2. Powers and institutions of the monarchy
2.1 The monarchy and the instruments of governance
2.2 The parliament (cortes)
2.3 The crown, municipalities, and minorities
2.4 Foreign policy and diplomacy
3. Economy
3.1 The agrarian economy
3.2 Production and crafts
3.3 Internal trade
3.4 External trade
4. Culture and education
4.1 Court culture
4.2 Noble culture
4.3 Education: monastic and episcopal schools, university
4.4 Books and reading
5. Daily life and sociability
5.1 Daily life
5.2 Rituals and religious practices
5.3 Crime
5.4 Death
1.1 Sources for the study of historical demography
1.2 Population evolution and migrations
1.3 Social hierarchy and mobility
1.4 Economic expansion, royal politics, and social complexification
2. Powers and institutions of the monarchy
2.1 The monarchy and the instruments of governance
2.2 The parliament (cortes)
2.3 The crown, municipalities, and minorities
2.4 Foreign policy and diplomacy
3. Economy
3.1 The agrarian economy
3.2 Production and crafts
3.3 Internal trade
3.4 External trade
4. Culture and education
4.1 Court culture
4.2 Noble culture
4.3 Education: monastic and episcopal schools, university
4.4 Books and reading
5. Daily life and sociability
5.1 Daily life
5.2 Rituals and religious practices
5.3 Crime
5.4 Death
Teaching Methods
The curricular unit on Themes in Medieval Portuguese History will adopt a variety of teaching methodologies, including:
1. Oral communication for the presentation, discussion, and argumentation of the programmatic content, employing an inquiry-based and problematising approach to teaching.
2. Encouraging participation in debates, problem-solving activities, and oral presentations by students.
3. Promoting dialogue, collaborative work, and constructive criticism among peers, aimed at developing original thinking on the part of students.
4. Connecting learning with societal challenges that facilitate an understanding of historical legacies.
5. Utilising digital tools and resources for the construction of knowledge, the interpretation of graphic and visual representations of history, and the development of critical thinking.
1. Oral communication for the presentation, discussion, and argumentation of the programmatic content, employing an inquiry-based and problematising approach to teaching.
2. Encouraging participation in debates, problem-solving activities, and oral presentations by students.
3. Promoting dialogue, collaborative work, and constructive criticism among peers, aimed at developing original thinking on the part of students.
4. Connecting learning with societal challenges that facilitate an understanding of historical legacies.
5. Utilising digital tools and resources for the construction of knowledge, the interpretation of graphic and visual representations of history, and the development of critical thinking.
Assessment
The course offers two assessment models: 1) continuous assessment and 2) a final exam covering all the material taught.
Continuous assessment will depend on the fulfillment of the following elements:
1. Attendance and oral participation in (10%): students must be present in 75% of classes (i.e., they can miss a maximum of 6 classes).
2. Written assignment with oral presentation (40%): this will consist of writing an essay (up to 2000 words) on a topic previously discussed with the lecturer.
3. Final exam at the end of the semester (50%).
Students who choose to be assessed by final exam should take the following weighting into account: 90% will correspond to the written exam grade + 10% corresponding to attendance and participation in class.
Continuous assessment will depend on the fulfillment of the following elements:
1. Attendance and oral participation in (10%): students must be present in 75% of classes (i.e., they can miss a maximum of 6 classes).
2. Written assignment with oral presentation (40%): this will consist of writing an essay (up to 2000 words) on a topic previously discussed with the lecturer.
3. Final exam at the end of the semester (50%).
Students who choose to be assessed by final exam should take the following weighting into account: 90% will correspond to the written exam grade + 10% corresponding to attendance and participation in class.
Teaching Staff
- André Filipe Madruga Coelho
- Flávio Miguel Fernandes Miranda [responsible]
Certificações
