Rated 2 out of
5
by
Thomas C from
The professor is very knowledgeable, however, his presentation style is not at all for me and makes it difficult to stay engaged. It's an annoying regurgitation of tremendous volumes of information presented as though he is reading from a book which happens lecture after lecture. His mannerisms of reading from notes at the podium then walking away and arm waving repeatedly without ever looking at the audience/camera is monotonous and bothersome. There were very very few slides summarizing what was important during or at the end of lectures to underscore what was critical to remember and there were not many visual aids. If the professor had field or research experiences to share it would have helped punctuate the monotony of the lectures. This is a critical period in world history and although the fall of the Roman Empire sets the stage for the Early Middle Ages, almost a third of the course is devoted to this and it could have been covered in a couple of lectures with more emphasis on other important aspects of the Early Middle Ages.
Date published: 2020-09-18
Rated 4 out of
5
by
TennesseeBill from
Good Presentation
Overall I think this is a good course. My one criticism is that I would have liked to see a little more about the history of England during this period. He spends almost the entire course on continental Europe and Byzantium.
Date published: 2020-09-02
Rated 5 out of
5
by
TravelingHB from
A complex period intelligently presented.
We have enjoyed traveling and this course illuminated many things we have seen and read about. The Course enriched our understanding of the things we’ve seen, the underlying historyand even the culture that exists today. It intersected nicely with several other courses we’ve enjoyed. This is mostly new subject matter that is complex and the professor organizes and presents it in a manner that is reasonably digestible. Well done!
Date published: 2020-06-06
Rated 5 out of
5
by
KBLA from
Amazing Journey!
I love when a series of lectures can not only educate on the times and events, but can also give a clear context of what was happening from the time of Christ through the fall of the Roman Empire to the rise of the Middle Ages.
Date published: 2020-05-25
Rated 5 out of
5
by
DennisMC50 from
Wonderful coverage of a little known time.
I recently finished "The Early Middle Ages", and it was quite a revealing course. I had never studied this time period before so most of this was new information. Most of European history that I have read mentions the fall of the Roman Empire, glosses over the period of the Dark Ages, then picks up again with the Renaissance.
Prof. Philip Daileader helps fill in that gap. He is very knowledgeable about the entire time period. He does not just cover the historical dates, with a list of leaders, but delves into the social, economic, and religious issues of the era. He not only covers European civilization of the time, but also the Byzantine Empire, and their impact on the area that was to become Spain.
Even though this was a pre-nationalist time, Prof. Daileader shows that this time period lays the foundation for nationalism that was to shape Europe in the centuries to come.
I really enjoyed this lecture series, and look forward to continuing with the the High Middle Ages. I recommend this course to anyone who loves history and wants to know more about the period known as the Dark Ages
Date published: 2020-04-27
Rated 5 out of
5
by
SFKilner from
Outstanding from start to finish
This is one of the very best courses I’ve listened to: an extremely informative survey of European history from 300 AD to 1000 AD, delivered by Daileader in very clear lectures laced with delightfully subtle humor. He divides this period into two parts: Late Antiquity, from 300-650, during which Roman and “barbarian” institutions co-existed and co-mingled; and 650-1000, during which the first medieval kingdoms developed, the Merovingians and Carolingians.There is much I could say about this course, but one of the most interesting aspects was Daileader’s succinct and very interesting commentary on the so-called “the fall of the Roman Empire.” I highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to get a handle on the mysteriously fascinating transition from Roman Empire to Medieval Europe.
Date published: 2020-04-23
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Gharmjo from
Which Course Should You Buy?
What are the differences between this 24 L course ("The Early Middle Ages") and Noble’s 36 L "Late Antiquity"? In brief, they both cover 330 to 1000 AD, but were designed for different audiences. Daileader is more concise. Noble has deeper insights, at times bordering on TMI. Listening to Daileader first would provide an excellent framework for the more academic Noble.
There are other differences: Daileader’s guide has helpful maps. Noble, whose shifting focus can be distracting, needs maps but has none. Daileader has a more instructive Timeline. Daileader's chapters tell stories whereas Noble’s chapters are academic. Daileader’s L1, L12, and L21 describe Islam more accurately than Noble for reasons noted in my review of "Late Antiquity”.
There is a great deal to enjoy in Daileader. Perhaps my favorite teaching point was that the Roman Empire really didn't collapse (L24). Rather: barbarian invasions, new diseases, and good old “Climate Change” probably gradually eroded it away.
In summary, this course is an entertaining, factual study of this time period.
Date published: 2020-02-21
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Myriad Range of Topics!
I recently bought a set of the Early, High and Late Middle ages taught by Professor Philip Daileader.
I am extremely pleased with the lectures!
I have learned a lot from this series, and feel I made a good investment.
Date published: 2019-06-25
12: The House of Islam
An emerging Arab Empire conquers the Persian Empire, large sections of the Byzantine empire, and even parts of continental Europe, including most of the Iberian peninsula. But an Arab raiding party's insignificant defeat provides the key moment in the ascent of Europe's next great dynasty.
31 min
16: The Carolingian Renaissance
The fear that educational deficiencies were jeopardizing the salvation of souls and interfering with the ability of people to call on God for help drives a century-long period of educational reform known as the Carolingian Renaissance, the impact of which is felt to this day.
31 min
20: England in the Age of Alfred
Viking attacks on Britain produce very different results from those on the continent, with large sections of England settled. The ultimate result, after the Norman Conquest of 1066, is that a group of Christianized, French-speaking Viking descendents becomes the ruling class in England.
30 min
21: Al-Andalus-Islamic Spain
Islamic Spain becomes one of the most dynamic and developed areas of the continent. Despite the brutality of its high politics and religious restrictions on Jews and Christians, its flourishing economy, trade, and intellectual ferment make it an important center of cultural exchange.
31 min
Philip Daileader
Making four courses over the last thirteen years has been an honor, and I'd like to think that as The Teaching Company has grown and developed, I've developed with it.
About Philip Daileader
Dr. Philip Daileader is Associate Professor of History at The College of William and Mary. He earned his B.A. in History from Johns Hopkins University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in History from Harvard University. Before taking his position at William and Mary, he taught at the University of Alabama and the State University of New York at New Paltz. Professor Daileader received William and Mary's 2004 Alumni Fellowship Award for excellence in teaching. As a graduate student, he was a four-time winner of the Harvard University Certificate of Distinction in Teaching. Dr. Daileader is the author of True Citizens: Violence, Memory, and Identity in the Medieval Community of Perpignan, 1162-1397. His research focuses on the social, cultural, and religious history of Mediterranean Europe.
