The history of witchcraft offers an interesting avenue to the study and teaching of important historical and social phenomena. Valuable research contributions by historians is discussed and listed in the bibliography. (JB)

Discusses the Marxist theoretical bases and research objectives of modern Soviet historiography. Soviet historians concentrate on the historical developments of social organization and the analysis of laws governing progress in human society. The author describes current Soviet historical work on Russian, world, ancient, medieval, modern, and…

A high school teacher describes a class project which replaced customary research papers. The high school seniors prepared a medieval banquet, a project which involved intensive research. Useful research sources on costumes, decorations, food, and general information for such a project are listed. (DB)

Described is how scholars of medieval Islam used simple and adequate methods for regulating the calendar and prayer-times and for finding the sacred direction. Other applications of science to daily life are provided. (KR)

Describes the Liberal Arts Studiolo from the Ducal Palace at Guibbio, Italy. Discusses how the room's design and decoration mirrors its educational uses. Notes that the object of education was to provide the young person with a kind of mental library of materials that could be drawn upon quickly. (RS)

The purpose of this module for college students is to describe the economic, social, intellectual, and political changes which took place during the Enlightenment period and to show the interrelationship between these changes and concepts behind due process of law. This resource contains an introduction to the module; a list of objectives for the…

The medieval study of classical rhetoric reached its zenith in the twelfth century. Rhetoric in its medieval phase can be divided into four distinct subdisciplines: "ars praedicandi," or the preaching art; "ars dictaminis," or the art of letter writing; "ars poetriae," which focused on style and developed elaborate theories of versification; and…

A CURRICULUM GUIDE ON MEDIEVAL STUDIES IS PRESENTED, INCLUDING TEACHER MATERIALS AND STUDENT PROBLEM SETS. THE TEACHER MATERIALS DESCRIBE AND EXPLAIN THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL ASPECTS OF MANORIAL LIFE--THE PREDOMINANT FORM OF AGRICULTURAL LIFE IN NORTHERN FRANCE, ENGLAND, AND GERMANY DURING THE PERIOD FROM APPROXIMATELY 800 TO 1300 A.D.…

Discusses the historical relationship of sexually deviant behavior and religious fanaticism. (EJT)

Notes recent trends toward greater treatment of Asia, Africa, and Latin America in world history courses and the related tendency to decrease treatment of women and social history. Describes how history instructors at Tufts University coped with this problem by using a thematic approach. Illustrates this approach using the example of two medieval…

A method was designed to provide history students an opportunity to make interpretations and form hypotheses about historical events and eras. The teacher created representative "facts" and questions about a topic and let students use them to make their own hypotheses. A sample unit on European history, 1300-1450, is included. (KC)

Contends that the belief in saints did not emerge spontaneously. Traces a consistent ecclesiastical propaganda campaign aimed at communicating the character, powers, and importance of saints. Calls this the oldest, most enduring, effective propaganda campaign in the Western world prior to the invention of the press. (PD)

Six features are identified as common to modern universities and their medieval counterparts. A brief account of the range and complexity of university reforms is given, and deep reforms are accounted for in terms of the university's essential or presuppositional structure. (IAH)

Describes the first map to divide the globe into five symmetrical climatic zones. Discusses Ambrosius Macrobius's map as a statement of earthly limitations rather than physical reality. Suggests its significance for teaching world history is as an example of deductive cartography that influenced and challenged late medieval Christian thought. (DK)

Argues that medieval popular literacy can provide a crucial link for understanding alternative literacies. Claims that medieval practices explain some contemporary literacy practices, especially those outside the academy. (HB)