University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/infoug/ugtimetable.html

Although there is an unavoidable element of religious history, this course approaches death primarily from the point of view of social history. Hence, its main goal is not only to study how the Church conceived death and the afterlife, but to analyse how Medieval people understood and experienced all this and the degree to which they internalized ecclesiastical doctrines on the matter. So, for example, we will explore the rituals required for a good Christian death, but we will pay especial attention to the way in which they served to say goodbye to the dying person and to how the latter used the last will to secure the future of their children and to show their social status in the community. We will analyse the religious phases and elements present in Medieval funerals, but also how funerals were the occasion to honour the deceased, with mourning gestures and otherwise. One key topic of the module will be the emergence of different spaces in the afterlife, particularly the Purgatory.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: One two-hour seminar (x11 weeks), one office hour (x11) for discussion of optional assignments and/or one-to-one supervision

Scheduled learning hours: 22

Guided independent study hours: 278

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%

Re-assessment: 4000-word essay = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr A Del Campo Gutierrez
Module teaching staff: Dr Ana Del Campo