Course Description
This course examines world history from the 5th to the 16th century, tracing the major political, social, and cultural developments that shaped the Middle Ages. Key topics include the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the formation of new European political structures, the Byzantine Empire, the rise and evolution of feudalism, medieval urbanization, and cultural and intellectual life in Europe. Students also study the spread of Islam, the Arab Caliphate, major Muslim states, and the rise of the Seljuks, Timurids, and the Ottoman Empire. The course analyzes the role of the medieval Church in European political and cultural life, the Crusades, the activities of the Habsburg and Hun dynasties, and the complex interactions between Europe and the East. The final part covers the emergence of centralized monarchies, economic crises, reform movements, the Renaissance, and the Great Geographical Discoveries. By the end of the course, students gain an understanding of the main features of medieval society, cross-cultural influences between East and West, and the lasting impact of the Middle Ages on modern political and cultural developments.
