History of Austria and Vienna in the Middle Ages

or – how to understand the history of our important neighbour

The course is taught by: prof. PhDr. Juraj Šedivý, MAS, PhD.

Form of instruction: lecture (P:2 or P:1/S:1 according to choice)

ECTS: 4

Objective:

To present the history of the neighbouring state and the nearest (also historically) important city to Bratislava in a clear and attractive way. The graduate of the course will get an idea of the concepts of Austrian history (in comparison with Slovak history) and will get acquainted with the main events and processes in the development of medieval Austria (ca. from the 5th century to 1526), which was an immediate neighbour of Hungary. Approximately 40% of the course will be devoted specifically to the history of Vienna as the centre of Austria and the nearest central European city, which also influenced events in the area of today's south-western Slovakia. In addition to the theoretical knowledge, the course will also include an excursion to Vienna, which will help prepare students for their eventual practice as professional guides.

Brief outline:

Introduction (major historiographical works and the concept of Austrian history in comparison with the concepts of historiographies of neighbouring countries)
Brief development of the settlement of Austria up to the 8th century
Austria as a margraviate (9th century to 1156) - establishment of administrative structures, colonisation and Christianisation, major political events
Austrian Principality (1156 to 1526) - Babenbergs and Habsburgs (main political events, main features in the development of economy and society)
The city-building process in Western Europe and the Middle Danube
Early medieval development of Vienna
Vienna as the residence of the Babenbergs and Habsburgs (key events, urban development, social and economic functioning of the city, ecclesiastical structures, society and everyday life in the medieval city)
1 field trip (or museum or archive).

Graduation Requirements:

Attendance - 3 hours may be missed without excuse,
final assessment (100%) in the form of a test - or - seminar paper of at least 10 standard pages on a topic related to the subject and consulted with the lecturer).

Recommended reading:

VEBER, Václav a kol. Dějiny Rakouska. 2. vyd. Praha : Lidové noviny 2007.
CSENDES, Paul – OPLL, Ferdinand. Wien. Geschichte einer Stadt. Wien : Böh1au Verlag 2001.
MARSINA, Richard (zost.). Städte im Donauraum. Bratislava : SHS 1993.