58勛圖

ME3223 The Rise and Fall of the Carolingian Empire, c.750 - 900

Academic year

2026 to 2027 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

Prof S MacLean

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

Module Staff

Professor Simon MacLean

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 deals with the history of the Carolingian dynasty, who ruled the last pan-European empire of the middle ages, stretching from Brittany in the west to the frontiers of what is now Hungary in the east. Beginning with the spectacular conquests and cultural reforms of the emperor Charlemagne, the module traces the transformation and ultimate disintegration of the empire under his descendants. Why did the empire collapse? And even more importantly, what held it together in the first place? Central themes include the construction and maintenance of royal power through ritual, history-writing and iconography; the ethos of the aristocracy; warfare and the impact of the Viking raids; the development of the office of queenship; exploitation of the peasantry and economic change; and the importance of the period for the emergence of Europe.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

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

Assessment pattern

60% Coursework 40% Examination (1x2-hour paper)

Re-assessment

4,000-word essay = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

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

Scheduled learning hours

20

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

Guided independent study hours

280

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