Empresses and Khatuns
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
This course has now started
- Course Code: HWH155
- Dates: 16/04/24 - 14/05/24
- Time: 10:00 - 12:00
- Taught: Tue, Daytime
- Duration: 5 sessions (over 5 weeks)
- Location: Online
- Tutor: Vanessa King
Course Code: HWH155
Duration: 5 sessions (over 5 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This is predominantly a study of royal wives within the Islamic world and steppe nomadic society.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
We will explore the roles and worlds of the Byzantine empress and her Islamic and Mongol sisters.
As part of this, we will discuss the impact of marriage and succession practices on status and opportunities.
We will also explore and discuss women's roles and gender expectations.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Explore the role and world of the Byzantine empress and identify any similarities with her Islamic and Mongol sisters
• Discuss the impact of caliphal marriage and succession practices on the status and opportunities for Abbasid royal women, especially those with the status of um walad, the mothers of sons
• Compare and contrast women's roles and gender expectations in the Islamic world and steppe nomad society
• Reflect upon the extent to which steppe practices continued to shape the identities of Mongol royal women in the Ilkhanate.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No prior knowledge required. However, a good standard of reading, writing and speaking English is essential.
An open mind and willingness to engage respectfully in class discussion and debate.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
PowerPoint will be used to illustrate key points and then we will be reading and discussing contemporary sources (in translation). You will be encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas in a relaxed and friendly environment. Occasionally reading outside the class will be encouraged with a worksheet to complete, but is not obligatory.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no other expenses other than note-taking materials. You are not expected to purchase any reading material. All essential reading will be supplied via Google Classroom for you to download. A course book listing weekly topics and ideas for reading will be provided at the beginning of the course.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HEH111 Imagining the medieval monarch (part 1)
Please also explore our Asian history section for additional courses.
Vanessa King is a reitred university lecturer in Medieval and early Modern History. She is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and Honorary Fellow of Birkbeck College University of London. At City Lit, Vanessa offers courses and day schools on London, European, and Global Encounters in the Far East. She has published widely on the Anglo-Norman period (1066-1154), and is currently writing a book on Early English Queenship 600-1066 for Routledge. You can follow her progress via her website: https://queenshipinpreconquestengland.wordpress.com/ Vanessa’s expertise in medieval matters means she is frequently called upon to give public lectures and speak on BBC Radio. Vanessa's philosophy of teaching is to make history come alive through informative presentations with a good sense of humour. In her spare time, she enjoys nothing better than talking history over a glass of red wine!
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
