Five-Minute Medievalist

Title

Five-Minute Medievalist

Creator

Kisha G. Tracy, Fitchburg State University

Instructions

A useful and entertaining web site about the the Middle Ages is Medievalists.net. One of the frequent contributors to this site is Danièle Cybulskie, otherwise known as "The Five-Minute Medievalist." She writes short, educational posts about some aspect of the Middle Ages. Sometimes these are lists, sometimes book reviews, sometimes about material culture, and sometimes her thoughts on a specific idea. To see her posts as "The Five-Minute Medievalist," click here.
  • Before the first Five-Minute Medievalist quiz, you should read some of "The Five-Minute Medievalist" posts (click here) in order to get an idea of how they are written.
  • On a Five-Minute Medievalist quiz week, you will select a topic related to the readings/other material from that week (for instance, if we are reading Chaucer's "The Prioress's Tale," Julian of Norwich, and Margery Kempe that week, then your Five-Minute Medievalist entry should relate in some way - this can be interpreted creatively - to one or more of those works).
  • You will then write an entry that is at least one single-spaced page, Times New Roman, 12-point font. Other than that, you may choose any format for your entry (bulleted points, a list, paragraphs, short essay, etc.).
  • Your entry should attempt to mimic "The Five-Minute Medievalist" posts on Medievalists.net.
Criteria from "The Five-Minute Medievalist":
  • Should be an interesting/frequently asked question about the Middle Ages
  • Should be short (about one single-spaced Word page at 12 point font)
  • Should include a hyperlink or reference to other material for readers to learn more
  • Should have a friendly, inclusive tone
 

Outcomes

Assignment Outcome
  • Students will be able to demonstrate that they are fully prepared and engaged for class.
Relevant Course Outcomes
  • Students will be able to recognize and articulate the characteristics and transmission history of a variety of literary traditions in different time periods and locations.
  • Students will be able to read works of literature closely and thoroughly.

Suggested Rubric

Points Characteristics
20 Complete, follows instructions, thorough, obvious evidence of preparation of readings
19-18 Complete, follows instructions, mostly thorough, solid evidence of preparation of readings
17 Complete, although perhaps missing some instructions, very little evidence of preparation of readings
16 Present, but almost no evidence of preparation of readings
15-1 Present, but little more than name 
0 Did not complete

Collection

Pandemic Pedagogy

Citation

Kisha G. Tracy, Fitchburg State University, “Five-Minute Medievalist,” Teaching the Middle Ages in Higher Ed, accessed April 29, 2024, https://medievalhighered.omeka.net/items/show/29.