ARC 42 — Cultures of Northern Europe: The Celts, Franks, and Vikings
Quarter: Fall
Day(s): Wednesdays
Course Format: On-campus (About Formats)
Duration: 9 weeks
Date(s): Oct 4—Dec 6
Time: 7:00—9:05 pm (PT)
Refund Deadline: Oct 6
Units: 2
Tuition: $555
Instructor(s): Patrick Hunt
Class Recording Available: No
Status: Open
Fall
On-campus
Wednesdays
7:00—9:05 pm (PT)
Date(s)
Oct 4—Dec 6
9 weeks
Refund Date
Oct 6
2 Units
Fees
$555
Instructor(s):
Patrick Hunt
Recording
No
Open
Just as the Greeks and Romans left their indelible mark on southern Europe, the north’s ancient cultures shaped the continent in unique ways that still resonate throughout contemporary European society. Through an archeological lens, this course examines the fascinating histories and legacies of these dynamic peoples: the fierce Viking warriors, the enigmatic and artistic Celts, and the powerful Frankish Empire.
The oldest of these three cultures, the Celts, traced its origins as far back as 800 BCE in Austria. Even the Roman historian Tacitus noted their distinctive mustaches and customary plaid clothing. And the Celts's values and traditions served as the foundation of Arthurian legends and chivalry. The Franks, originating east of Germany, marked their history after the fall of the Roman Empire, around 800 CE, largely through the administrative genius of Charlemagne and his children, who unified Europe and revived literacy in what became known as the Carolingian Renaissance. The Vikings came from Scandinavia and the Baltic around the same time and changed the face of northern Europe through seafaring, shrewd trade, and conquest, leaving such Norman descendants as William the Conqueror. Each class lecture will include close readings of texts complemented by richly illustrated slide presentations. Students will come away with a new understanding of modern northern Europe, deeply rooted in the stories told by the archeological remains of these three fascinatingly different ancient cultures.
The oldest of these three cultures, the Celts, traced its origins as far back as 800 BCE in Austria. Even the Roman historian Tacitus noted their distinctive mustaches and customary plaid clothing. And the Celts's values and traditions served as the foundation of Arthurian legends and chivalry. The Franks, originating east of Germany, marked their history after the fall of the Roman Empire, around 800 CE, largely through the administrative genius of Charlemagne and his children, who unified Europe and revived literacy in what became known as the Carolingian Renaissance. The Vikings came from Scandinavia and the Baltic around the same time and changed the face of northern Europe through seafaring, shrewd trade, and conquest, leaving such Norman descendants as William the Conqueror. Each class lecture will include close readings of texts complemented by richly illustrated slide presentations. Students will come away with a new understanding of modern northern Europe, deeply rooted in the stories told by the archeological remains of these three fascinatingly different ancient cultures.
PATRICK HUNT
Former Director, Stanford Alpine Archaeology Project; Research Associate, Archeoethnobotany, Institute of EthnoMedicine
Patrick Hunt is the author of 25 books and is a lecturer for the Archaeological Institute of America. He received a PhD from the Institute of Archaeology, University College London. Hunt is an elected Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Explorers Club, and he is an explorer and expeditions expert for National Geographic. His Alps research has been sponsored by the National Geographic Expeditions Council. Textbooks for this course:
(Required) Barry Cunliffe, The Ancient Celts, 2nd Edition (ISBN 978-0198752936)
(Required) Simon MacDowall , Conquerors of the Roman Empire: The Franks (ISBN 978-1473837423)
(Required) Robert Ferguson, The Vikings: A History, Penguin (ISBN 978-0143118015)
(Required) Simon MacDowall , Conquerors of the Roman Empire: The Franks (ISBN 978-1473837423)
(Required) Robert Ferguson, The Vikings: A History, Penguin (ISBN 978-0143118015)