Contextualization

The Middle Ages, also known as the medieval period, spans a timeline from the fall of the Western Roman Empire around the year 476 to the beginning of the Renaissance in the 15th century. Traditionally, this period is mistakenly attributed to be an 'age of darkness,' but nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, it represented a time of great cultural, social, and technological transformations that laid the foundation of our modern society.

During the Middle Ages, Europe was divided into a multitude of kingdoms and principalities, many of which merged and diverged repeatedly over time. Feudalism emerged as the main socioeconomic system, sustaining the social order with a rigidly structured hierarchy that ranged from kings and queens at the top to serfs at the bottom. Simultaneously, the Church played a central role in shaping the culture and social organization of the period, heavily influencing education, arts, and laws.

On an individual level, life in the Middle Ages was diverse and varied. The different social roles of women, forms of labor (slavery, serfdom, and free labor), interactions between different populations, and the circulation of people, products, and cultures in the Mediterranean were all important aspects of the medieval world. By exploring these themes, we will gain a fuller appreciation of the rich tapestry that makes up this period.

In this project, we want you, our students, to embark on a journey of discovery through the Middle Ages. We aim to demystify misconceptions and show you that this period was not a time of ignorance and backwardness, but of innovation and growth. Understanding this historical moment is crucial to grasp how our modern world was shaped and continues to be influenced by it.

In this sense, we recommend the following research sources to you:

• Book 'The Civilization of the Middle Ages' by Jacques Le Goff. This book is an excellent source to understand the different aspects of the Middle Ages, from the daily lives of common people, through politics, to religion and culture.

• Website Brazil School - Middle Ages. This site offers a variety of articles on different aspects of the Middle Ages, including social structure, economy, and religion.

• Documentary 'The Middle Ages: An Age of Light' by BBC. This documentary provides an overview of the Middle Ages, exploring the culture, technology, and key events of this period.

We emphasize that this stage of the project consists of studying and understanding the main themes and concepts of the Middle Ages and their application in the real world.

Practical Activity: 'Exploring the Medieval World - An Interdisciplinary Journey'

Project Objective

Each group should choose a specific kingdom or principality from the Middle Ages and, through research and study, deeply understand how society functioned during that historical period. The goal is to reconstruct the historical, sociocultural, and economic context of the time, observing the different roles within medieval society, the dynamics of the circulation of people, products, and cultures in the Mediterranean, and the existing relationship between lords and serfs.

Detailed Project Description

The project is divided into two main parts: Research and Presentation.

Research

Each group should start with research. Attention should be given to the following topics:

1. Socioeconomic structure: Examine feudalism, the relationships between lords and serfs, and forms of labor (slavery, serfdom, and free labor).

2. Social roles: Identify and analyze the different social roles, especially women in society.

3. Circulation: Explore the dynamics of the circulation of people, products, and cultures within the chosen kingdom and its connections with the Mediterranean.

4. Religion: Evaluate the impact of Christian religion on culture and modes of social organization.

Presentation

After the research, the next phase is the creation and presentation of a report, a castle model, and a dramatization.

1. Report: This should be structured following the Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography used. The Development part should include the four research topics.

2. Castle Model: Based on the research, build a three-dimensional model of a typical castle from the chosen kingdom. The model should reflect the social structure and functions of the different parts of the castle.

3. Dramatization: Perform a dramatization of typical social interactions of the period, highlighting the different social roles and the dynamics of servile relationships.

Required Materials

1. Internet access for research.
2. Materials for building models (cardboards, glue, scissors, paints, etc).
3. Clothing/props for the dramatization.

Step by Step

1. Divide into groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Choose a specific kingdom or principality from the Middle Ages.
3. Start researching the chosen kingdom on the defined topics.
4. Synthesize the collected information into a report.
5. Create a castle model based on your research.
6. Prepare and perform a dramatization about life in the chosen kingdom.
7. Get ready to present and defend your work to the class.

Project Deliverables

The project deliverables should be the written report, the castle model, and the dramatization.

• The report should connect the data collected in the research with the group's observations and conclusions. It should be structured into four parts: Introduction, Development (including the four research topics), Conclusions, and Bibliography. The report should demonstrate a deep understanding of the period and will be the basis for evaluating the acquired technical skills.

• The castle model should be a precise and detailed three-dimensional representation of a medieval castle, reflecting each group's research findings. The model is a way to link theory to practice and will be evaluated for its accuracy, detail, and creativity.

• The dramatization is a representation of the social life of the time, addressing the relationships between lords and serfs and the different forms of labor. Each group member should play a role in the society of the chosen kingdom. The dramatization will be evaluated for its historical accuracy, representation of different social roles, and presentation skills.