PLEASE NOTE: The courses listed below reflect the certified courses available at this time. Please contact the Dean of Academic Studies if you have any suggestions or recommendations for additional courses. If you are an instructor of a course that is not listed, please contact the Dean of Academic Studies regarding how to have your course accredited.
(Classes listed in bold type indicate a required course for completion of the Scholar Degree Program.)
HIS100 - Life in Medieval Times
A survey of the everyday life of peasants, nobles and clerics. This class will cover the details of everyday life: how the manors and castles were run and by whom, who were the castle servants and where did they come from. What the lord and lady of the manor did, how children were trained for their future position, fostering and marriage among the nobility, feudal obligations, amusements and responsibilities. It will also cover the daily life of the peasant, such as it was. The class will also touch on the merchant class and the clergy, how their lives differed and how one became a clergy or guild member. Instructors
HIS101 - Introduction to Irish Monasticism
A survey level class which will introduce students to Irish monastic traditions, rituals and daily life in an Irish monastery at the height of its historical period. Other items discussed include settlement and construction of the monastery, the role of monasticism upon early Irish Christian tradition and European society. Instructors
HIS102 - Heresy in the Middle Ages
A history of Christian heresies in Europe and the Eastern Empire (Byzantium). An account of the origins and impact of the major heresies from the Edict of Milan up to, but not including, the Reformation and a discussion of the various heretical doctrines and the Ecumenical Councils. Instructors
HIS103 - Fifth Century Roman Britain
A survey course of Britain in the 5th century. The class gives a chronological accounting of the events taking place in Roman Britain, including the Saxon invasions, reign of Vortigern, Battle of Mt. Badon and the development of the Arthurian mythos. Instructors
HIS104 - Gods and Religion of the Roman Empire
An overview of religion in the Roman Empire with emphasis on the twelve great gods and the spirits of the local environment. The various types of temples, worship and sacrifice and an overview of the principle festivals are also presented. Instructors
HIS105 - Appearance and Dress of the Early IrishA survey course covering the dress practices of the early Irish peoples. Topics include colors and fabrics, laws governing clothing, types of dress for the various classes from Kings to charioteers, to the commoner. Accessories and Jewelry are also discussed. Instructors
HIS106 - Beads of Prayer
A survey class that provides the history, design, development and use of rosaries and chaplets in period and the society. The history covers the period between 7th century Irish monastic tradition to 1560. Instructors
HIS107 - Irish/Gaelic Social Structure
A survey course covering the social aspects of Irish culture during the early medieval period. Topics discussed include, the class and social stratifications, socio-economic conditions, the structure of Gaelic kingship and bardic colleges. Instructors
HIS108 - Life at a Medieval College
This class is about the development, structure, curriculum, and student life at the University of Paris during the 12th and 13th centuries. Instructors
HIS109 - Angels in Medieval Perspective
The history of angels and their presentation in art and literature. A synopsis of the major angels and a discussion regarding how the concept of angels was viewed during the dark ages in Europe. Instructors
HIS110 - Hell on Earth: Torture in the Middle Ages
A class that graphically covers the history of torture, when it was utilized and for what purposes. This class involves a slide presentation and has been given an "R" rating by the instructor. Instructors
HIS111 - How Not to Conquer
This class discusses how the constant warfare of La Reconquista, the Legend of El Cid and the realities of mercenary army management caused the Spanish to send several medieval armies into the New World. Also discussed how the Ascientos, the bartering of service in the field for food, shares of profit, the realities of class differences, and supply problems produced military situations of interest in a changing world. Instructors
HIS112 - How the Saxons Became Anglo-Saxons
A short course on Saxon culture, their migration, and their eventual amalgamation with the native British population. Instructors
HIS113 - History of France
A discussion of pre-SCA France (Gaul) from the barbarian tribes to the Romans and the history relevant to the SCA time period. Subjects covered during the discussion include royality, lifestyle and the opography of Medieval France. Instructors
HIS114 - History of Spain
A brief history of Spain from pre-Roman times until the beginning of the Siglo de Oro. Also discussed are the Alhanbra El Cid, Alfonso X and "El Sabio." Instructors
HIS115 - Norse "Viking" Culture
An overview of the Norse culture including geography, the framework of Norse society, major cities, trade, and art. Instructors
HIS116 - Medieval Christmas Traditions
A discussion of Christmas in the Middle Ages including the Christmastime celebrations and traditions. Instructors
HIS117 - Dungeon, Fire and Sword: An Overview of Templar History
An overview of the history of the Templars covering the founding of the Order, daily life of the templars, history of campaigns fought, banking systems and ending in the arrest and trial of the Order and its eventual dissolution. Instructors
HIS118 - Black Death for Beginners
This class gives a basic technical explanation of how the plague works, its different forms and how it spreads. Description of its spread in Europe 1347-1351, mortality rates, effects in town and country, reactions of church, nobility and townfolk. Instructors
HIS119 - Early Period Geography
This class is about the movement of major groups of peoples and their geographical settlements. The groups include: Germans, Slavs, Celts, Mediterranean peoples and invaders from teh Steppe country to the east. Instructors
HIS120 - The Picts
A history of the Picts from Roman times to 1138. Instructors
HIS121 - Medieval Insurance and Banking
A review of the development of banking and insurance from ancient times through the Medieval period. Instructors
HIS200 - History of Malta
An overview of the history of Malta from 5,000 BC to 1945 with special emphasis on its strategic location and the Great Siege. Instructors
HIS201 - Middle Eastern Body Ornamentation
A study of the purposes and how-to's of Middle Eastern body ornamentation. A discussion of the various types of ornamentation including henna, bendi, and body elongation. Instructors
HIS202 - A Meeting of East and West
An overview of the Mongol invasion of Europe during 1237-1242. The class covers the precursors of the invasion and its ramifications. The main body of the class is dedicated to the events leading up to the Battle of the Mohi Plain in 1241. A short summary of events and discussion of their effect on Europe in the years following the battle is also given. Instructors
HIS203 - Islamic Economics in the 3rd Crusade
A study of the basics of Islamic Economics including social structure and corporate philosophy. The class reviews corporate structure, credit, Western and Oriental incluences and contemporary documents. Instructors
HIS204 - Middle Eastern History Before 1066
This provides an overview of Middle Eastern history (pre-1066) Topic covered include the Pre-Islamic situation, birth of Mohammed and the rise of Islam in the Arabic Penionsula, early conquest, Umary and Abbased dynasties and the rise of Seljuk Turks. Instructors
HIS205 - Japanese Sword Etiquette
This class covers the different Japanese sword ceremonies which have existed for centuries. Topics covered include, courtly grace, proper cerermony for an individual who has the right to bear arms within the presence of the Crown and for one who does not. Sword etiquette and warrage and the pros and cons are also covered. Instructors
HIS300 - Battle at Crecy
An discussion of the battle of Crecy fought between the French and English in 1346. Topics include the armies, the reasons behind the battle and what lead up to the English victory. Instructors
HIS301 - The Hundred Years War
This class covers the military, political and social changes during the Hundred Years War (1337 - 1453). Trends and events are also covered. Handouts including a chronology, map, geneology chart are provided.
Instructors
HIS302 - Pre 1066 Battle Tactics
A survey course of Western European army level tacts and strategy. Discussion focuses on the pre-1066 infantry evolutions and the ascendency of cavalry with a short discussion of national stategies in war. Instructors
HIS400 - Development of Medieval Weapons and Armor
An overview of the history of weapons and armor from the Greeks and Romans through 1500. Instructors
HIS401 - The Arms of Islam
A discussion of the cultures that influenced the arms of early Islam: the Sassanid Persians, Byzantium, and the peoples of Central Asia. Emphasis is on the Arabs, the Seljuk Turks, the Mamelukes, the Ottoman Turks, the Persians and the Mughals. Instructors
HIS402 - Common Misconceptions about Weapons and Armor
This class discusses what weapons and armor were really like during the Middle Ages and dispels many myths perpetuated by modern daybooks and movies. Instructors
HIS403 - The Medieval Archer
This class gives an overview of the role of the archer during Medieval Times. Instructors
HIS500 - Eleanor of Aquitane
An overview of the life of Eleanor and her influence on Europe, a description of the three houses to which she belonged and of the events of her life from childhood to nunnery. Instructors
HIS501 - Henry V of England
The background, ancestry, life and achievements of Henry V of England. Discussion includes a history of Edward III and the Hundred Years War, the overthrow of Richard II and the development of the house of Lancaster, Henry V's rise to the throne, etc. Instructors
HIS502 - A Medieval Eccentric
This class is about a noted English medieval eccentric, Margery Kempe as taken from her autobiography. Instructors
HIS503 - KINGMAKER: Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick and Salisbury
This class will deal with the life and times of Richard Neville, The Earl of Warwick and Salisbury, who played a pivotal role in the Wars of the Roses in 15th century England. The biographical treatment will be interspersed with reviews of how Neville and his family augmented and manipulated the political interactions amon England, Fance and Burgundy. Instructors
HIS504 - The Historical Macbeth
Shakespeare's famous tragedy presents a seriously distorted
picture of the historical Macbeth. Comparisons between the drama and the history, with reference to Shakespeare's sources and motivations and to other historical records. Instructors
HIS600 - Introduction to Medieval Literature
A survey of French and English literature of the Middle Ages. This class covers the types of literature during the period with a look at some of the familiar ones, such as Chaucer, "Beowulf" and the Arthurian legends, as well as some of the lesser known works. Instructors
HIS601 - Beowulf
An outline of the poem, background and elements useful to the SCA. Also covered is a person's role in the society existent during the Beowulf time period, how the people thought and behaved. Instructors
HIS602 - "By Whose Authority?"
An overview of the reasons that medieval authors cited the ancients as authorities in all their writings and the criteria for citing in medieval literature. Instructors
HIS603 - Machiavelli's "The Prince"
An examination of the "The Prince" and its author from the point of view of the 16th century Englishman. Comparisons are made to contemporary politics and mores. Instructors
HIS604 - Working From Period Combat Manuals
An overview of what period combat manuals are and understanding how to interpret and use them. A discussion of what manuals are available and how to understand a set of movements. Instructors
HIS605 - Survey of Heroic Literature
This class is an overview of primarily Western European literature during the middle ages. A particular focus is on "national epics" and other major works that reflected and/or defined the character of a particular people at a particular time and identifying charcaters and places. The class will also touch on recurring themes and the tendency of mundane minds to see literature as history, i.e. Arthurian legends. Instructors
HIS606 - The Anglo-Saxon Hero and Adversary
This class defines the Anglo-Saxon hereo and compares other characters to him. Some of the material covered in this class will be Beowulf, an Heroic Outline, a dissucion on adversarial characters, and "The Battle of Maldon." Instructors
HIS607 - The Caterbury Tales
Appreciating that the Canterbury Tales is not the tedious exercise of high school literature class, but a series of funny and insightful stories. Course includes examples of its obscedne and ribald humor as well as reading in Middle English. Students under 18 require parental permission. Instructors
HIS700 - An Artist's Overview of the Middle Ages
A slide presentation of art including architecture, sculpture, paintings, etc. with commentary provided by the isntructor. Instructors
HIS701 - Architecture of Castles
This class covers the development of castles from the early wood or stone "motte and bailey" style through the tower-keep, enclosure, concentric and rectangular types of structures. It also covers the materials of construction, construction details, features, terminology, social conditions related to castle building, philosophies of defense and control of territory through use of castles. The class finishes with discussion of the development of the Tudor period "gun castle." Instructors
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Last updated 6/28/99