This biannual learning unit is being organized in 2025-2026
Teacher(s)
Language
French
> English-friendly
> English-friendly
Main themes
This seminar addresses questions of the history of the Byzantine world and the Christian East (especially Armenia and Georgia). Particular attention is paid to the contacts and influences that these cultures had with each other, as well as with other areas such as the Iranian world and the medieval West.
The themes considered may relate to political, cultural, social, or intellectual history, etc., and are analysed on the basis of sources; the seminar may also involve case studies or studies of major literary, artistic, or architectural productions..
The themes considered may relate to political, cultural, social, or intellectual history, etc., and are analysed on the basis of sources; the seminar may also involve case studies or studies of major literary, artistic, or architectural productions..
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | master knowledge relating to a theme in Byzantine or Oriental history; |
| 2 | identify the primary and secondary sources relevant to a research question; |
| 3 | analyse, interpret, compare and contextualise the sources; |
| 4 | present the results of an original research. |
Content
1. Byzantium: The themes that can be covered are as diverse as Byzantium and the Crusades; the role of eunuchs throughout Byzantine history; an author, a work or a literary domain; a particular period or ruler; silk and fabrics; etc.
2. The Christian East: This course deals with the history and culture of the Christian civilisations of the Caucasus (mainly Armenia and Georgia) and is intended as an introduction to research in this field. Depending on the year, the themes studied may include, by way of example :- the invention of new alphabets and their role in the shaping of cultural and national identities;
- the genesis of Oriental Christian literatures, and their relationshipto the Greek tradition;
- the assimilation and separation of Oriental civilisations as regards the Greek heritage;
- international monasteries and cultural exchange in Palestine and in the Black Mountain (Antioch);
- a multidisciplinary and diachronic study of a monastic centre or micro-region;
- etc.
Teaching methods
The teaching is both lecture-based and participatory. Student involvement takes a different form in each of the two parts of the course:
1. Byzantium: Students are required to study a specific subject related to the course content, to be presented orally during a class session and as a written synthesis.
2. The Christian East: Students compare the material covered in the course with complementary readings.
Evaluation methods
The examination consists of a written assignment and an oral examination, as described below. The final mark is the weighted average of the marks for parts 1 and 2: part 1 is worth 2/3 and part 2, 1/3.
1. Byzantium: Students write a paper on a subject related to a topic covered in the course. Assessed are: - the oral presentation of a first version of the paper during a class session;
- the final version of the written paper, taking into account any comments made during the presentation.
2. The Christian East: The examination is oral and draws on the students' complementary readings.
N.B. Generative artificial intelligence (AI), if used, must be used responsibly and in accordance with the practices of academic and scientific integrity. Since scientific integrity requires that sources be cited, the use of AI must always be reported. The use of artificial intelligence for tasks where it is explicitly forbidden will be regarded as a case of irregularity or plagiarism.
Online resources
The documentation and bibliography are available on the Moodle page of the course.
Faculty or entity
